The Religions Book

257

passed them on orally. His followers
memorized them in turn, but the
revelations were eventually written
down, sometimes by Muhammad’s
secretaries, at other times by his
followers. Portions of the Qur’an
have been found written on pieces
of animal bone, leather, stones,
palm leaves, and parchment.
A standardized version of
the Qur’an in book form was
compiled in the mid-7th century,
soon after Muhammad’s death.
Muslims believe that this
compilation, and the ordering of the
114 chapters and 6,000 verses that
resulted, were divinely inspired.

Many sections of the Qur’an

contain material that matches,

or at least corresponds closely

to, portions of the Hebrew Bible and

Christian New Testament. However,

according to the Muslim view,

these holy books are corrupted

(pp.252–53): the Qur’an is therefore

believed to function both as a

corrective to, and a progression

beyond, previous revelations.

The ordering of the suras

The chapters (suras) and verses

that make up the Qur’an are

not arranged chronologically or

according to topic but, broadly

speaking, by length. The

longer chapters are found at the

beginning of the Qur’an, with

shorter chapters arranged toward

the end. As a whole, the chapters

cover a wide range of topics,

providing guidance on worship,

politics, marriage and family life,

care for the disadvantaged,

and even matters of hygiene,

community affairs, and economics.

In an attempt to classify and

date the chapters of the Qur’an,

modern scholars have created a

system for identifying them. In

this method of classification,

revelations that appear to have

been given to Muhammad early

in his prophetic career, when he

resided in Mecca, are known as

the Meccan chapters. The earliest

of these Meccan revelations are

often very rhythmic and full of

imagery. Many begin with oaths. ❯❯

See also: God’s covenant with Israel 168–75 ■ The Prophet and the origins of Islam 252–53 ■ The central professions of
faith 262–69 ■ The pathway to harmonious living 272–75

ISLAM

The angel Jibrail appears to

Muhammad and delivers the first

revelation. Here, in accordance

with Islamic tradition, a faceless

figure represents the Prophet.

[It is] a Qur’an which we

have divided [into parts],

in order that you might recite

it to the people at intervals.

And we have sent it

down progressively.

Sura 17:106