The Quran: A Historical and Linguistic Overview

The word Quran literally translates from Arabic as "the recitation." From a historical and linguistic perspective, it refers to the body of oral utterances delivered by Muhammad in Arabia during the early 7th century. Scholars of history categorize the text as a primary source for understanding the social and linguistic landscape of the Hejaz region during this period, marking the transition from pre-Islamic oral traditions to a written administrative and legal culture.

Historically, the compilation of the Quran into a single written volume (the mushaf) occurred in stages following Muhammad's death in 632 CE. While oral transmission was the primary method of preservation initially, the first formal collection was initiated under the first caliph, Abu Bakr. However, the standardized version used today was established during the reign of the third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, around 650 CE. This project aimed to resolve dialectal variations and ensure a uniform text across the expanding empire.

Linguistically, the Quran is the preeminent example of Classical Arabic. It occupies a unique space between rhymed prose (saj') and traditional poetry, utilizing a complex system of roots and patterns that expanded the Arabic vocabulary. For centuries, it has served as the fundamental grammar and syntax reference for the Arabic language, influencing the development of linguistic sciences and literary styles throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

The text is organized into 114 chapters known as surahs, which are further divided into verses called ayat. These chapters are generally arranged by length—from the longest to the shortest—rather than by the chronological order in which they were spoken. This structural choice has led to extensive academic study regarding the "intertextuality" of the book, as themes and historical references are woven throughout the volume rather than following a linear narrative.

From an archaeological and manuscript perspective, the study of early Quranic fragments, such as the Birmingham Manuscript and the Sana'a Palimpsest, provides insight into the evolution of Arabic orthography. These findings assist historians in dating the text and understanding how early scribes utilized diacritical marks to preserve the phonetic accuracy of the oral recitation. Today, the Quran remains one of the most widely printed and studied books in human history.