Question:

Can you explain why the holy book of Islam is called ‘Quran’? What does it actually mean?

Answer:

Among all the different names given to this Holy Scripture, `the Quran` (al-Quran) is the most common and famous of them all. This is a name that the Almighty Allah has given to the Book. From the first years of the revelation to Prophet Muhammad (s), it was called `the Quran` by the revelation itself. The term is repeated 68 times in the Quran, and except on two occasions (17:78), it means the Holy Quran or part of it.

In English it is written `the Koran` or `the Quran`.

About the meaning of the term `Quran`, there are two famous opinions:

1) it is driven from al-Qar` meaning `to collect`.
2) It is driven from `Qara` (to recite).

Thus, it is called `the Quran` for it is a Book to be recited (73:4), or because the revelation began by `Read` (96:1). The second opinion (driven from the root ‘to recite’) seems more accurate.

Note: For further information on the Holy Quran please see here.

Answered by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei

Subscribe to our mailing list!