In the original dustsheet. Brown cloth binding with gilt title on the spine.

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A rare copy

The Koran, Commonly Called the Alkoran of Mohammed; Translated into English from the Original Arabic, with Explanatory Notes, Taken from the Most Approved Commentators – George Sale The Quran, also romanised Qur’an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. It is organised in 114 chapters which consist of verses. In addition to its religious significance, it is widely regarded as the finest work in Arabic literature and has significantly influenced the Arabic language. Muslims believe that the Quran was orally revealed by God to the final
prophet, Muhammad, through the archangel Gabriel incrementally over a period of some 23 years, beginning in the month of Ramadan, when Muhammad was 40; and concluding in 632, the year of his death. Muslims regard the Quran as Muhammad’s most important miracle; a proof of his prophethood; and the culmination of a series of divine messages starting
with those revealed to Adam, including the Torah, the Psalms and the Gospel. The word Quran occurs some 70 times in the text itself, and other names and words are also said to refer to the Quran. The Quran is thought by Muslims to be not simply divinely inspired, but the literal word of God. Muhammad did not write it as he did not know how to write. According to tradition, several of Muhammad’s companions served as scribes, recording the revelations. Shortly after the prophet’s death, the Quranwas compiled by the companions, who had written down or memorized parts of it. Caliph Uthman established a standard version, now known as the Uthmanic codex, which is generally considered the archetype of the Quran known today. There are, however, variant readings, with mostly minor differences in meaning. The Quran assumes familiarity with major narratives recounted in the Biblical and apocryphal scriptures. It summarises some, dwells at length on others and, in some cases, presents alternative accounts and interpretations of events. The Quran describes itself as a book of guidance for mankind ( 2:185). It sometimes offers detailed accounts of specific historical events, and it often emphasises the moral significance of an event over its narrative sequence. Supplementing the Quran with explanations for some cryptic Quranic
narratives, and rulings that also provide the basis for Islamic law in most denominations of Islam, are hadiths—oral and written traditions believed to describe words and actions of Muhammad. During prayers, the Quran is recited only in Arabic. Someone who has memorised the entire Quran is called a hafiz. A verse is sometimes recited with a special kind of elocution reserved for this purpose, called tajwid. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims typically complete the recitation of the whole Quran during tarawih prayers. In order to extrapolate the meaning of a particular Quranic verse, Muslims rely on exegesis, or commentary rather than a direct translation of the text.