Revelation, recitation and translation
Revelation and recitation
Muslims understand the Quran as revelation in Arabic received by the Prophet Muhammad. Islamic tradition locates the revelations in the early seventh century, during his life in Mecca and Medina. Recitation has remained central to how Muslims encounter the text. Its role in prayer gives certain passages a familiarity beyond their place in a bound volume. The short opening surah, al-Fātiḥah, is a prayer for guidance.
Surahs and verses
The Quran comprises 114 surahs, each divided into verses called āyāt. Their order in the received text differs from the traditional chronology of revelation. Surah 12, named for Yusuf, follows the fortunes of Joseph and his family across an extended narrative. Elsewhere a surah may bring together accounts of earlier messengers, an address to believers and reflections on creation.
Arabic and English editions
Marmaduke Pickthall published his English translation in 1930. Its English pronouns and forms of address reflect his time and his understanding of the Arabic. The digital source used here does not identify its underlying printing. The accompanying Arabic edition is the separately credited Tanzil Uthmani text. It represents a distinct publication with its own spelling conventions and source record.