Meaning of Quran

The term Quran ( الْقُرْآن) is often translated as “Recitation,” and some people assume this means the Quran’s foremost format is oral, but this is not correct. The word Quran comes from the root ( ق ر ا). This root has the derivative meaning: “to read” and, more specifically, “to read from something written.” So, the word Quran inherently implies reciting from something written.

This is apparent by the very first revelation given to Muhammad, where Muhammad is commanded to “read” ( iq’ra / اقرَأ), which is from the same root as the word Quran. Secondly, it clarifies that this is from something written when it explains that “He (God) teaches by means of the pen” ( الْقَلَم) in verse 96:4.

96:1 Read, in the name of your Lord, who created. 96:2 He created man from an embryo. 96:3 Read, and your Lord, Most Exalted. 96:4 Teaches by means of the pen. He teaches man what he never knew. (١) اقرَأ بِاسمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذي خَلَقَ (٢) خَلَقَ الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ (٣) اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ (٤) الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ (٥) عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ