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]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Quran \Qu*ran"\ (k[.u]*r[aum]n"), n.
See {Koran}.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
Quran
n 1: the sacred writings of Islam revealed by God to the prophet
Muhammad during his life at Mecca and Medina [syn: {Koran},
{Quran}, {al-Qur'an}, {Book}]
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