Q1.
The word 'Quran' is derived from the Arabic root word 'Qara'a', which means:
Explanation: The term 'Quran' originates from the Arabic root 'Qara'a', which means 'to read' or 'to recite'. Thus, the Quran is 'the recitation'.
Q2.
What does the word 'Surah' literally mean?
Explanation: The literal meaning of 'Surah' is 'a high place' or 'rank'. In the context of the Quran, it refers to a chapter.
Q3.
Over how many years was the Quran completely revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
Explanation: The revelations of the Quran occurred over a period of approximately 23 years, from 610 AD to 632 AD.
Q4.
The Makki period of Quranic revelation, which took place in Makkah, lasted from:
Explanation: The Makki period, the first phase of revelation before the migration (Hijra), spanned from approximately 610 AD to 622 AD.
Q5.
The Madani period of Quranic revelation, which took place in Madinah, lasted from:
Explanation: The Madani period began after the migration to Madinah and continued until the Prophet's (PBUH) death, spanning from 622 AD to 632 AD.
Q6.
In which holy month did the revelation of the Quran begin?
Explanation: The first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the month of Ramadan on the 'Night of Power' (Laylat al-Qadr).
Q7.
Where did the first revelation of the Quran occur?
Explanation: The first revelation occurred in the Cave of Hira, located on the mountain Jabal al-Nour near Makkah, where the Prophet (PBUH) used to meditate.
Q8.
What was the age of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at the time of the first revelation?
Explanation: The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was 40 years old when he received the first divine revelation from the angel Jibrael.
Q9.
How many Surahs (chapters) are there in the Holy Quran?
Explanation: The Quran is divided into 114 Surahs, of which 86 are generally considered Makki and 28 are Madani.
Q10.
Which Surah was the first to be revealed, according to the order of revelation?
Explanation: The first five verses of Surah Al-Alaq ('The Clot') were the first part of the Quran to be revealed.
Q11.
Which Surah is placed first in the current arrangement of the Quran?
Explanation: Surah Al-Fatiha ('The Opening') is the first chapter in the Quran's compiled order and is a fundamental part of Muslim daily prayers.
Q12.
What is the longest Surah in the Quran?
Explanation: Surah Al-Baqarah ('The Cow') is the longest chapter, spanning over two Juz' (parts) and containing 286 verses.
Q13.
What is the shortest Surah in the Quran?
Explanation: Surah Al-Kawthar ('The Abundance') is the shortest chapter, consisting of only three verses.
Q14.
Which verse in the Quran is the longest?
Explanation: Ayat al-Dayn, which is verse 282 of Surah Al-Baqarah, is the longest verse in the Quran and deals with financial transactions and debt.
Q15.
Which Surah is known as the 'preface' of the Holy Quran?
Explanation: Surah Al-Fatiha is considered the preface or introduction to the Quran. It's also known as 'Umm-ul-Kitab' (The Mother of the Book).
Q16.
Which Surah is the last in the Quran's arrangement?
Explanation: Surah An-Nas ('Mankind') is the 114th and final chapter in the standard compilation of the Quran.
Q17.
Which Surah in the Quran does not begin with the phrase 'Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim'?
Explanation: Surah At-Tawbah is the only chapter that does not start with the Bismillah. It is often seen as a continuation of the previous surah, Al-Anfal.
Q18.
Which Surah contains the phrase 'Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim' twice?
Explanation: Surah An-Naml ('The Ant') contains the Bismillah at the beginning and also within the text in verse 30, in a letter from Prophet Sulaiman (A.S).
Q19.
How many Surahs in the Quran begin with the word 'Qul' (Say)?
Explanation: Five Surahs begin with 'Qul': Al-Jinn, Al-Kafirun, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas.
Q20.
Which Surah is known as the 'Heart of the Quran'?
Explanation: Surah Yaseen is famously referred to as the 'Heart of the Quran' in a Hadith, signifying its great importance.
Q21.
How many Surahs in the Quran are named after Prophets?
Explanation: There are six Surahs named after Prophets: Yunus, Hud, Yusuf, Ibrahim, Muhammad, and Nuh (Peace be upon them all).
Q22.
How many Surahs in the Quran begin with the 'Muqatta'at' (disjointed letters)?
Explanation: 29 Surahs begin with these unique letter combinations, such as 'Alif, Lam, Meem', whose ultimate meaning is known only to Allah.
Q23.
Which Surah is named after a woman?
Explanation: Surah Maryam is named after Mary, the mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus). Surah An-Nisa means 'The Women', but is not named after a specific individual.
Q24.
In which Surah is the famous prayer 'Rabbi Zidni Ilma' (O my Lord! Increase me in knowledge) found?
Explanation: This powerful prayer is found in Surah Taha, verse number 114.
Q25.
How many times is the name 'Muhammad' (PBUH) mentioned in the Quran?
Explanation: The name 'Muhammad' appears four times in the Quran, in Surahs Aal-e-Imran, Al-Ahzab, Muhammad, and Al-Fath. He is also mentioned once as 'Ahmad'.
Q26.
Which Surah is known as 'the beauty of the Quran' or 'Aroos-ul-Quran' (The Bride of the Quran)?
Explanation: Surah Ar-Rahman is called the 'Beauty of the Quran' due to its eloquent language and the recurring, powerful verse: 'So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?'.
Q27.
The current arrangement and order of the Surahs in the Quran is considered to be:
Explanation: The order of the Surahs is 'Tauqifi', meaning it was divinely instructed by Allah through the angel Jibrael to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Q28.
How many Manzils (stages for recitation) is the Quran divided into?
Explanation: The Quran is divided into 7 Manzils to facilitate its recitation over a week, with one Manzil read each day.
Q29.
How many prostrations of recitation (Sajdah Tilawat) are there in the Quran?
Explanation: There are 14 verses in the Quran where it is obligatory or recommended to perform a prostration upon recitation.
Q30.
Approximately how many times is the command for Salah (prayer) mentioned in the Quran?
Explanation: The command to establish prayer (Salah) is one of the most frequent in the Quran, mentioned approximately 700 times in various forms.
Q31.
What is the total number of verses (Ayat) in the Holy Quran?
Explanation: number of verses (Ayat) in the Holy Quran is 6,236, but this figure can vary depending on whether the opening phrase Bismillah (In the name of Allah) is counted as a separate verse in each surah. Another accepted figure, which includes Bismillah for the relevant surahs, is 6,348.
Q32.
What does the word 'Ayat' literally mean?
Explanation: The literal meaning of 'Ayat' is a 'sign' or 'miracle', indicating that each verse of the Quran is a divine sign.
Q33.
Which Prophet is mentioned the most number of times in the Quran?
Explanation: Hazrat Musa (A.S) is mentioned most frequently, with his name appearing over 130 times in the Quran.
Q34.
Who suggested to Caliph Abu Bakr (R.A) that the Quran should be compiled into a single book?
Explanation: After many memorizers of the Quran were martyred in the Battle of Yamama, it was Hazrat Umar (R.A) who proposed the idea of its official compilation to Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A).
Q35.
Who was the first person to write down the Wahi (revelation)?
Explanation: Hazrat Khalid bin Saeed (R.A) is regarded as the first among the scribes to write down the revelations for the Prophet (PBUH) in Makkah.
Q36.
Who is given the title 'Jami-ul-Quran' (The Compiler of the Quran)?
Explanation: Hazrat Uthman (R.A) is known as Jami-ul-Quran because during his caliphate, he commissioned the preparation of a single, standardized copy of the Quran (the Uthmanic codex) to be distributed across the Muslim world.
Q37.
Which story is known as 'Ahsan-ul-Qasas' (the most beautiful of stories) in the Quran?
Explanation: The detailed and emotional account of the life of Prophet Yusuf (A.S) in Surah Yusuf is described by Allah as 'Ahsan-ul-Qasas'.
Q38.
Who is the only companion (Sahabi) of the Prophet (PBUH) mentioned by name in the Quran?
Explanation: Hazrat Zaid bin Harithah (R.A), the adopted son of the Prophet (PBUH), is the only Sahabi whose name is explicitly mentioned, in Surah Al-Ahzab.
Q39.
Which Surah is considered equivalent to one-third of the Quran in reward?
Explanation: According to a Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated that reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas (The Purity) carries a reward equivalent to reciting one-third of the Quran due to its profound summary of monotheism (Tauheed).
Q40.
What is the Arabic term for the scholarly interpretation or exegesis of the Quran?
Explanation: Tafsir is the science of explaining the Quran's verses, providing context, linguistic analysis, and theological interpretation to help understand its meanings.
Q41.
Which of the following is NOT another name for the Quran?
Explanation: The Quran has many names, including Al-Kitab, Al-Furqan, and Al-Dhikr. Al-Hadith refers specifically to the collection of the sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Q42.
What is the popular name for verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah?
Explanation: Ayat al-Kursi, or 'The Verse of the Throne', is a powerful verse that speaks of Allah's absolute power and knowledge, and it is often recited for protection.