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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, purportedly 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 Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet [[Muhammad]] over a number of years in the 7th century AD, 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 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 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 Qur'an 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 Qur'an 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 Qur'an 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 Qur'an 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.

==Translation==

==Translation==

*[[Zoroastrianism]]. On account of Persia's political influence in the north-eastern part of Arabia, it is natural to find Zoroastrian elements in the Qur'an.  

*[[Zoroastrianism]]. On account of Persia's political influence in the north-eastern part of Arabia, it is natural to find Zoroastrian elements in the Qur'an.  

*[[Hanifism]], the adherents of which, called Hanifs, must have been considerable in number and influence, as it is known from contemporary Arabian sources that twelve of Mohammed's followers were members of this sect.  

*[[Hanifism]], the adherents of which, called Hanifs, must have been considerable in number and influence, as it is known from contemporary Arabian sources that twelve of Mohammed's followers were members of this sect.  

*Native ancient and contemporary Arabian heathen beliefs and practices. Wellhausen has collected in his "Reste des arabischen Heidentums" (Berlin, 1897) all that is known of pre-Islamic Arabian heathen belief, traditions, customs, and superstitions, many of which are either alluded to or accepted and incorporated in the Koran. From the various sects and creeds, and Abul-Fida, the well-known historian and geographer of the twelfth century, it is clear that religious beliefs and practices of the Arabs of Mohammed's day form one of the many sources of Islam. From this heathen source Islam derived the practices of polygamy and slavery, which Mohammed sanctioned by adopting them."<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08692a.htm Koran], by Gabriel Oussani, ''The Catholic Encyclopedia''</ref>

*Native ancient and contemporary Arabian heathen beliefs and practices. Wellhausen has collected in his "Reste des arabischen Heidentums" (Berlin, 1897) all that is known of pre-Islamic Arabian heathen belief, traditions, customs, and superstitions, many of which are either alluded to or accepted and incorporated in the Koran. From the various sects and creeds, and Abul-Fida, the well-known historian and geographer of the twelfth century, it is clear that religious beliefs and practices of the Arabs of Mohammed's day form one of the many sources of Islam. From this heathen source Islam derived the practices of [[polygamy]] and [[slavery]], which Mohammed sanctioned by adopting them."<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08692a.htm Koran], by Gabriel Oussani, ''The Catholic Encyclopedia''</ref>

==Verses of Violence==

==Verses of Violence==