The Quran, our book
Islamic Studies · Key Stage 1 · The School
What it is
The Quran is the book Muslims believe is the word of Allah. It was given to the Prophet ﷺ through the angel Jibril over 23 years. It is in Arabic. It has 114 chapters, called SURAHS. It has been kept the same, word for word, since it was revealed. In every generation huge numbers of people have learned it by heart, as well as writing it down.
Treating it well
Muslims keep the mushaf (the printed Quran) in a high, clean place, not on the floor. They wash before touching the Arabic. They do not put things on top of it. These habits are not superstition. They are how respect is shown to something believed to be the speech of Allah's own speech.
Surahs you may know
Al-Fatihah is read in every prayer. Al-Ikhlas is four short ayat about who Allah is. An-Nas and Al-Falaq are short surahs of protection. Many families say them at bedtime. If you know any of these by heart, you are already carrying part of the Quran with you.
Imagine a girl called Zara. She comes in from the garden with muddy hands. She wants to read Al-Fatihah before dinner. First she washes her hands at the sink and dries them well. Next she takes her mushaf down from the high shelf. She does not put it on the floor. She rests it on a stand on the table and opens it slowly. She reads Al-Fatihah, the first surah. Then she closes the mushaf gently and puts it back on the shelf. Clean hands, a high place and gentle care show respect.