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[[Image:Opened Qur'an.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A copy of the Koran opened for study.]]

[[Image:Opened Qur'an.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A copy of the Koran opened for study.]]

The '''Koran''' is a scripture sacred to [[Islam]].

The '''Koran''' is the main scriptural text of [[Islam]].

The Koran is claimed by [[Muslims]] to have been revealed to [[Muhammad]] over a number of years in the seventh century, purportedly through the [[angel]] [[Gabriel]]. The scripture is organized (roughly) according to the length of the chapters. There are 114 suras (or chapters), with many of the later and more warlike ones appearing near the beginning. The Prophet's first revelations were received in [[Mecca]]. He was exiled from Mecca after commanding the people to repent of [[polytheism]] and join the One True God, (in [[Arabic]], his name is [[Allah]]).  The Prophet Muhammad then traveled to [[Medina]] and converted the entire city.  He led them to a victory over the polytheists at Mecca.   

The Koran is claimed by [[Muslims]] to have been revealed to [[Muhammad]] over a number of years in the seventh century, purportedly through the [[angel]] [[Gabriel]]. The scripture is organized (roughly) according to the length of the chapters. There are 114 suras (or chapters), with many of the later and more warlike ones appearing near the beginning. His first revelations were received in [[Mecca]]. He was exiled from Mecca after commanding the people to repent of [[polytheism]] and join who he claimed was the One True God, (in [[Arabic]], his name is [[Allah]]).  Muhammad then traveled to [[Medina]] and converted the entire city.  He led them to a victory over the polytheists at Mecca.   

The verses are of two kinds: Meccan and Medinan. Meccan verses are characterized by praise of a monotheistic God and condemnation of polytheism. Medinan verses reflect divine laws and commandments that would help Muhammad in his new role as a leader of men; that is to say, the verses are concerned more with the social laws and obligations of Muslims.

The verses are of two kinds: Meccan and Medinan. Meccan verses are characterized by praise of a monotheistic God and condemnation of polytheism. Medinan verses reflect divine laws and commandments that would help Muhammad in his new role as a leader of men; that is to say, the verses are concerned more with the social laws and obligations of Muslims.

Several commentaries on the Koran exist. These are labelled as "tafsir" (the word for "commentary.") Allah himself is regarded as the greatest Tafsir. Muhammad is the second-best (his tafsir is called "[[hadith]]," the Words of the Prophet). The Companions of the Prophet also produced their own tafsirs.  It is important to note that "tafsir" is ''not'' scripture; it is a companion to understanding scripture.   

Several commentaries on the Koran exist. These are labelled as "tafsir" (the word for "commentary.") Allah himself is regarded as the greatest Tafsir. Muhammad is the second-best (his tafsir is called "[[hadith]]," the Words of the Prophet). The Companions of the Prophet also produced their own tafsirs.  It is important to note that "tafsir" is ''not'' scripture; it is a companion to understanding scripture.   

It is also important to note that Muhammad is not worshiped as a God. The Muslims are [[monotheistic]]. The Koran states that God has no equals, nor was he begotten by a greater being, ''nor has he begotten any other being.'' Muslims may occasionally view [[Jesus]] and the [[Holy Spirit]] as infringing on God's divinity. The Christian doctrine of the [[Holy Trinity]] is regarded as tantamount to polytheism by Muslims.

It is also important to note that Muhammad is not worshiped as a god. The Muslims are [[monotheistic]]. The Koran claims that Allah has no equals, nor was he begotten by a greater being, ''nor has he begotten any other being'', contradicting what is recorded in the Bible. Muslims may occasionally view [[Jesus]] and the [[Holy Spirit]] as infringing on Allah's divinity. The Christian doctrine of the [[Holy Trinity]] is regarded as tantamount to polytheism by Muslims.

{{language box

{{language box

|arab= القرآن

|arab= القرآن

|arabr=al-Qur'ān

|arabr=al-Qur'ān

}}

}}

==Translation==

==Translation==

The Koran was revealed to Muhammad in what the Angel said was "clear Arabic."  This has been interpreted to mean that Arabic is the most beautiful language of all. The Koran also contains a challenge: if you do not believe that the Koran is the word of God, try to make something just as beautiful and good as it! This is the doctrine of inimitability (no copy can be made), or "i'jaz." These two doctrines, along with the inherent difficulty of translation, severely limit the value of translations of the Koran. In other words, the only Koran is the Arabic Koran.  English versions of the Koran are regarded as commentaries.   

The Koran was revealed to Muhammad in what the Angel said was "clear Arabic."  This has been interpreted to mean that Arabic is the most beautiful language of all. The Koran also contains a challenge: according to its apologists, if you do not believe that the Koran is the word of Allah, try to make something just as beautiful and good as it! This is the doctrine of inimitability (no copy can be made), or "i'jaz." These two doctrines, along with the inherent difficulty of translation, are claimed by adherents of Islam to severely limit the value of translations of the Koran. In other words, Islam's followers, engaging in [[taqiyya|deceit]], claim that the only Koran is the Arabic Koran and English versions of the Koran are regarded as "commentaries".   

Two of the most famous and widely-read English translations of the Koran are those by A. Yusuf Ali and M. Marmaduke Pickthall <ref>http://www.wokingmuslim.org/pers/pickthall/conversion.htm</ref> (and see links below).

Two of the most famous and widely-read English translations of the Koran are those by A. Yusuf Ali and M. Marmaduke Pickthall <ref>http://www.wokingmuslim.org/pers/pickthall/conversion.htm</ref> (and see links below).