Qur'an manuscript

The Qur’an (in Arabic, "recitation"), Islam’s most revered text, was revealed to Prophet Muhammad over the course of more than twenty years through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). The Qur’an is believed to be miraculous and characterized by the principle of inimitability; that is, no human can match its language and beauty. Muhammad memorized these words and passed them on orally. Following his death in 632, the revelations continued to be preserved orally until a couple of decades later, when they were compiled into the canonical text of the Holy Qur’an, used even today. In it, the work’s 114 chapters are ordered by length (except for the opening chapter) from the longest to the shortest.

Muslims read and recite the Qur’an as part of devotional practice. They are encouraged to do so in Arabic, the text’s original language of revelation. Thus, the Arabic script (read from right to left) is used in places as diverse as North Africa, Spain, and China. Religious devotion is expressed also in copying the Qur’an. Manuscripts are prepared with great attention to accuracy, written in fine calligraphy, and often elaborately decorated with illuminated opening pages, chapter headings, and text markers.