What is the Quran?

“Verily the Quran doth guide to that which is most right (or stable) (to run societies), and giveth the glad tidings to the Believers who work deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a magnificent reward.” - Quran 17: 9


“We have sent down to thee the book explaining all things, a Guide, a Mercy, and Glad tidings to Muslims." - Quran 16: 89


"Nor does the Apostle speak out of desire. It is naught but revelation that is revealed." - Quran 53: 3-4


“Surely We have revealed the Reminder (Qur'an) and We most surely are its Guardian.” - Quran 15: 9

Glorious Quran (also spelled as ‘Koran') is the holy book of Islam. It is the Word of God as revealed to His Prophet, Mohammad (peace be on him and his progeny). The Quran is divided into 114 chapters (Suras). There are 6226 verses (Ayats) containing 99,464 words made up of 330,110 letters. The Book of Allah is like an ocean. The less learned, like children, collect pebbles and shells from its shores. The scholars and thinkers, like pearl divers, bring out from it the highest philosophy, wisdom and rules for a perfect way of living.

“When afflictions surround you like the dark night refer to the Quran, because, it is an Intercessor whose intercession is accepted. It reports the evils (of people) which will be confirmed. It leads the person to Heaven who puts it in front of himself (follows it); and he who puts it behind himself (neglects it) will be driven to Hell. This very Quran is the best guide to the best ways. It is a Book in which there are useful explanations, statements and gaining (of goals). It is the Separator (of right and wrong) .” - Prophet Mohammad (s)

"And verily, the exterior of the Quran is elegant and its esoteric (meaning) is deep. Its wonders cannot be enumerated, and its marvels will not cease; and the darkness cannot be removed except by it." - Imam Ali (a.s.)

On the Importance of Quran and Ahlul Bayt (a)

"I leave behind me two weighty (very worthy and important) things: The book of Allah (i.e. the Quran), which is a stretched string from the heaven to the earth, and my progeny, my Ahlul Bayt; for verily Allah, The Merciful, The Aware, informed me that never, never, will these Two get separated from each other until they meet me at the Houd of Kauthar (the Pond of Abundance). Therefore, be careful and contemplate on how you will treat them (after me)...” - Prophet Mohammad (s)

In another tradition it is added:

"Never, never, shall you get astray if you attach yourself to these two.”

(Ma'uni-ul-Akhbur, p. 90, tradition 2, & Musnad Ahmad-ibn-Hanbal, Vol. 3, p.17, and other books from the Sunnite School and Shi 'ah School mentioned in Ihqaq-ul-Haqq, Vol 9, p. 309 to 375)

For references and details, please see: http://al-islam.org/enlighteningv2/