
The Sounds of the Quran
Like many holy texts, the Quran was spoken before it was written. In fact, the Quran literally means “the recitation,” and it’s perhaps best experienced exactly that way — as a recitation in a poetic and often musical Arabic. Because of this, the Quran tends to be difficult to fully experience as a non-Arabic speaker, as so much of the text is about sound and performance.
Watch the videos below to experience how the Quran sounds in Arabic.
This one shows what a live recitation is like:
A Passage from the Quran
Muslims consider the Quran to contain the literal words of Allah (“God” in Arabic). As such, the 114 surahs (or chapters), are from Allah’s perspective. This perspective is often translated into English using the pronoun “We.”
The surahs are ordered from longest to shortest.
And We revealed to you the Book, with truth, confirming the Scripture that preceded it, and superseding it. So judge between them according to what God revealed, and do not follow their desires if they differ from the truth that has come to you. For each of you We have assigned a law and a method. Had God willed, He could have made you a single nation, but He tests you through what He has given you. So compete in righteousness.“