The Qur’an 114 suras (chapters), approx ayas (verses) al-Fatiha (the Opening) - 7 ayas basmala: “In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate”

Topics in the Qur’an The nature of God Stories of the prophets Day of Judgment The Path to Paradise No associates, like Ezra, Jesus or the Trinity With scriptures: Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus and Muhammad Hud, Salih, Shu‘ayb, LuqmanIsma‘il/Ishmael

1-29 Faith and disbelief Creation, Adam, Satan Biblical history - Moses Biblical history - Jews, Jesus, Moses Polemic - Muslim, Jewish, Christian Biblical history - Abraham Islamic identity - prayer and pilgrimage Juridical problems - food, wills, etc Salvation history Juridical problems - jihad, marriage, etc Salvation history Mixed topics Juridical problems - charity, usury Faith Organisation Sura 2

Abu Bakr (r ) persuaded by ‘Umar (r ) to persuade Zayd ibn Thabit to gather fragments of Qur’an. Written on sheets of white linen, passed to ‘Umar, then Hafsa. Collection of the Qur’an - Stage 1

After 650, troops of Syria and Iraq arguing over correct version. ‘Uthman (r ) appoints Zayd and 3 Meccans to copy sheets into several volumes in dialect of the Quraysh. Sent to capitals of Muslim world. Orders all other versions burned. God’s guiding hand throughout. ‘Uthman’s version as copy of God’s original. Other versions recorded even in 10th c. Collection of the Qur’an - Stage 2

8th c on: Evidence of tradition of scholarly interpretation of Qur’an tafsir = interpretation al-Tabari ( ): Jami‘ al-Bayan ‘an Ta’wil al-Qur’an (commentary on Qur’an, finished ) Tafsir

Khawass al-Qur’an = special properties of the Qur’an