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[[Image:Opened Qur'an.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A copy of the Qur'an opened for study.]]
[[Image:Opened Qur'an.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A copy of the Qur'an opened for study.]]
The '''Qur'an''', also called the '''Koran''' ('''القرآن''' in [[Arabic]]), is the sacred scripture of [[Islam]].
The '''Qur'an''', also called the '''Koran''' ('''القرآن''' in [[Arabic]]), is the sacred scripture of [[Islam]].
The Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century AD, through the angel Gabriel. The scripture is organized (roughly) according to the length of the chapters. There are 114 suras (or chapters). 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 travelled 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 Qur'an has influenced a great number of people over the centuries, especially in the Middle East. The text of the Qur'an can be found at www.quranexplorer.net.
==Sources==
==Sources==
Scolars and theologians have identified six main sources for the contents of the Qur'an. ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'' states: "The sources of the Koran be reduced to -
Scolars and theologians have identified six main sources for the contents of the Qur'an. ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'' states: "The sources of the Koran be reduced to -