Quran

The 93rd chapter of the Quran (11 verses), "The Morning Brightness". A Meccan surah of comfort revealed to reassure the Prophet ﷺ that Allah had not forsaken him.

The 103rd chapter of the Quran (3 verses), "Time / The Declining Day". A concise surah said by Imam al-Shafi'i to suffice mankind if reflected upon.

The 2nd and longest chapter of the Quran (286 verses), "The Cow". A Medinan surah containing Ayat al-Kursi and the foundations of Islamic law and faith.

The 113th chapter of the Quran (5 verses), "The Daybreak". The first of the two "seeking-refuge" surahs (Mu'awwidhatayn), against external harms.

The Opening — the first surah of the Quran, recited in every unit of every prayer. Called "the Mother of the Book" and "the Seven Oft-Repeated", it is a complete supplication.

The 112th chapter of the Quran (4 verses), "Sincerity / Purity". A concise declaration of pure monotheism, said to equal a third of the Quran.

The 18th chapter of the Quran (110 verses), "The Cave". A Meccan surah, recommended on Fridays, containing four parables and protection from the Dajjal.

The 108th chapter of the Quran and its shortest (3 verses), "Abundance". Allah grants the Prophet ﷺ abundant good and the river of Al-Kawthar in Paradise.

The 67th chapter of the Quran (30 verses), also called Tabarak. A Meccan surah on Allah's sovereignty that, by hadith, intercedes for and protects its reciter.

The 56th chapter of the Quran (96 verses), "The Inevitable Event". A Meccan surah on resurrection that divides people into three groups on the Day of Judgement.

The 114th and final chapter of the Quran (6 verses), "Mankind". The second of the Mu'awwidhatayn, seeking refuge from the whisperer (Satan).

The 55th chapter of the Quran (78 verses), "The Most Merciful". Famous for its refrain "which of your Lord's favours will you deny?", repeated 31 times.

A verse of the Quran. The word also means "a sign". The Quran has over 6,200 verses, each considered a divine sign and a unit of revelation.

The Throne Verse (2:255) — the greatest verse of the Quran, describing Allah's majesty, knowledge, and dominion. Reciting it after prayers and before sleep brings protection.

A chapter of the Quran. The Quran contains 114 surahs of varying length, from Al-Baqarah (286 verses) to Al-Kawthar (3 verses), each with its own name and theme.

The science of correct Quranic recitation — the rules governing pronunciation, articulation points, and the characteristics of each letter to recite as revealed.

The 36th chapter of the Quran (83 verses), known as the "Heart of the Quran". A Meccan surah on resurrection, divine signs, and the truth of the Messengers.

The phrase "Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem" (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful), which opens 113 of the 114 surahs and begins every good deed.

One who has memorized the entire Quran by heart. A revered status; the Prophet ﷺ said the hafiz will be told on Judgment Day: "Recite and ascend" in Paradise.

One of the thirty roughly-equal parts into which the Quran is divided, to facilitate completing its recitation over a month (especially in Ramadan).

The point of articulation — the precise place in the mouth or throat from which each Arabic letter's sound originates. Mastery of makharij is essential to Tajwid.

The physical, written compilation of the Quran between two covers. The standard Mushaf was compiled under Caliph Uthman to unite the Ummah on one text.

The science of explaining and interpreting the Quran — clarifying meanings, context, reasons for revelation, and rulings. Famous works include those of Ibn Kathir and at-Tabari.

Reciting the Quran slowly, clearly, and with measured rhythm, as Allah commanded: "And recite the Quran with measured recitation" (73:4). The ideal mode of recitation.

The act of reciting the Quran aloud with reflection and proper rules. It is itself an act of worship, with each letter recited earning multiplied rewards.

The occasions or reasons of revelation — the specific events or questions that prompted certain verses to be revealed. Knowing them aids correct interpretation.

Nasalization — a resonant nasal sound accompanying the letters nun and meem in specific situations, held for about two counts. A fundamental Tajwid rule.

The diacritical marks (fatha, kasra, damma, sukoon) placed above or below Arabic letters to indicate short vowels and pronunciation, added to ease correct reading.

The memorization of the Quran. A cherished tradition since the time of the Prophet ﷺ, preserving the Quran in the hearts of believers in every generation.

Half of a juz — the Quran is divided into 60 hizbs, each further split into four quarters, to enable precise daily recitation portions.

Merging — assimilating a non-voweled noon or tanween into a following letter so they are pronounced as one emphasized letter. A core rule of noon sakinah.

Concealment — pronouncing a non-voweled noon or tanween in a hidden manner with nasalization before certain letters, between full pronunciation and full merging.

Verses or surahs revealed after the Hijra (in Medina), typically dealing with legislation, social order, jihad, and the building of the Muslim community.

Elongation — prolonging the sound of certain vowels for a specified number of counts in recitation, a key rule of Tajwid governed by the letters alif, waw, and ya.

Verses or surahs revealed before the Hijra (in Mecca), typically focusing on faith, monotheism, the hereafter, and stories of past nations.

Clear and ambiguous verses — muhkam verses have a definite, plain meaning, while mutashabih verses bear meanings known fully to Allah; believers accept both.

Abrogating and abrogated verses — the science of which rulings replaced earlier ones during the gradual revelation, reflecting divine wisdom in legislating step by step.

Echoing — a slight bouncing or vibrating sound produced when pronouncing five specific letters (qaf, taa, baa, jeem, daal) when they carry a sukoon.

A skilled reciter of the Quran who has mastered the rules of Tajwid and recites with beauty. Renowned qaris are known for their melodious and precise recitation.

The authentic variant readings of the Quran — ten transmitted modes of recitation differing in minor pronunciation, all traced back to the Prophet ﷺ. Hafs is the most widespread.

The sending down of the Quran from Allah — revealed gradually over 23 years to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through Angel Jibril, to address events and guide the community.

The rules of pausing and stopping during Quranic recitation. Special symbols in the Mushaf indicate where to stop, continue, or pause optionally, to preserve meaning.