Kuran

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Koran \Ko"ran\ (k[=o]"ran or k[-o]*r[aum]n"; 277), n. [Ar.
     qor[=a]n; with the Ar. article, Alkoran, Alcoran; = Turk.
     Pers. qur[^a]n, from Ar. quran, qoran, book, reading, from
     q[^a]r[^a], read. See {Alcoran}.]
     The Scriptures of the Muslims, containing the professed
     revelations to Mohammed; -- called also {Alcoran}. [Written


     also {Kuran} or {Quran}, Also rarely {Coran} and {Core}.]
  
     Note: The Koran is the sacred book of the Muslims (sometimes
           called Mohammedans by non-Muslims, a term considered
           offensive by some Muslims). It is the most important
           foundation on which Islam rests and it is held in the
           highest veneration by all Islamic sects. When being
           read it must be kept on a stand elevated above the
           floor. No one may read it or touch it without first
           making a legal ablution. It is written in the Arabic
           language, and its style is considered a model. The
           substance of the Koran is held to be uncreated and
           eternal. Mohammed was merely the person to whom the
           work was revealed. At first the Koran was not written,
           but entirely committed to memory. But when a great many
           of the best Koran reciters had been killed in battle,
           Omar suggested to Abu-Bekr (the successor of Mohammed)
           that it should be written down. Abu-Bekr accordingly
           commanded Zeid, an amanuensis of the prophet, to commit
           it to writing. This was the authorized text until 23
           years after the death of the prophet. A number of
           variant readings had, however, crept into use. By order
           of the calif Osman in the year 30 of the Hejira, Zeid
           and three assistants made a careful revision which was
           adopted as the standard, and all the other copies were
           ordered to be burned. The Koran consists of 114 suras
           or divisions. These are not numbered, but each one has
           a separate name. They are not arranged in historical
           order. These suras purport to be the addresses
           delivered by Mohammed during his career at Mecca and
           Medina. As a general rule the shorter suras, which
           contain the theology of Islam, belong to the Meccan
           period; while the longer ones, relating to social
           duties and relationships, to Medina. The Koran is
           largely drawn from Jewish and Christian sources, the
           former prevailing. Moses and Jesus are reckoned among
           the prophets. The biblical narratives are interwoven
           with rabbinical legends. The customs of the Jews are
           made to conform to those of the Arabians. Islamic
           theology consists in the study of the Koran and its
           commentaries. A very fine collection of Korans,
           including one in Cufic (the old Arabic character), is
           to be found in the Khedival Library at Cairo, Egypt.
           [Century Dict. 1906]