Islam
Text collection
Islamic scriptural collection
The Quran is the central scripture of Islam. Muslims understand its Arabic recitations as God’s revelation to the Prophet Muhammad, conveyed through the angel Gabriel. Recitation and listening belong to its life as much as reading. Its 114 suras gather prayer, narratives of earlier prophets, ethical teaching, and guidance for the believing community.1. The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an,” Harvard University, undated; accessed October 21, 2026, Complete glossary entry: Gabriel, Muhammad, chapter structure, and translations. The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an: The Word of God,” Harvard University, 2020, Pages 1–2: al-Fatihah, recitation, 114 surahs, genres, and translation.
This profile currently maps the Quran alone, rather than claiming a complete library of Islamic writing. An English translation interprets the Arabic and should retain the translator’s identity. The 114 suras belong within this single work; they are not separate books. Other Islamic writings would require their own bibliographies, historical context, and careful attribution.2. The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an: The Word of God,” Harvard University, 2020, Pages 1–2: al-Fatihah, recitation, 114 surahs, genres, and translation.
How to read this collection
Read the opening prayer, al-Fātiḥah, and then sample shorter suras before taking up the longer ones. Listen for recurring addresses and changes of emphasis. The Quran belongs to a culture of recitation; an English rendering gives access to meaning while changing its sound.3. The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an: The Word of God,” Harvard University, 2020, Pages 1–2: al-Fatihah, recitation, 114 surahs, genres, and translation. The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an and Qur’anic Recitation,” Harvard University, undated; accessed October 21, 2026, Paragraphs on Arabic revelation, recitation, and the arrangement of the 114 surahs.
Most suras are arranged broadly by length rather than as a continuous narrative. Keep references by sura and verse when moving between passages. An English translation is an interpretation of the Arabic, and its translator’s choices remain part of what you read.4. The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an: The Word of God,” Harvard University, 2020, Pages 1–2: al-Fatihah, recitation, 114 surahs, genres, and translation.
The Quran
The complete work has 114 suras. Read prayer, accounts of earlier prophets, ethical directions, and judgement passages within that whole. The chapter divisions remain inside one work; they are not 114 separate publications. This bibliography covers the Quran alone.5. The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an: The Word of God,” Harvard University, 2020, Pages 1–2: al-Fatihah, recitation, 114 surahs, genres, and translation.
Islam is the collection’s name, not an invented personal author. The Arabic text’s traditional status as revelation, its transmission, and the identity of any future translator must remain distinct.6. The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an,” Harvard University, undated; accessed October 21, 2026, Complete glossary entry: Gabriel, Muhammad, chapter structure, and translations. The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an and Qur’anic Recitation,” Harvard University, undated; accessed October 21, 2026, Paragraphs on Arabic revelation, recitation, and the arrangement of the 114 surahs.
Reading guide sources
- The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an: The Word of God,” Harvard University, 2020, Pages 1–2: al-Fatihah, recitation, 114 surahs, genres, and translation. The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an and Qur’anic Recitation,” Harvard University, undated; accessed October 21, 2026, Paragraphs on Arabic revelation, recitation, and the arrangement of the 114 surahs.
- The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an: The Word of God,” Harvard University, 2020, Pages 1–2: al-Fatihah, recitation, 114 surahs, genres, and translation.
- The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an: The Word of God,” Harvard University, 2020, Pages 1–2: al-Fatihah, recitation, 114 surahs, genres, and translation.
- The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an,” Harvard University, undated; accessed October 21, 2026, Complete glossary entry: Gabriel, Muhammad, chapter structure, and translations. The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an and Qur’anic Recitation,” Harvard University, undated; accessed October 21, 2026, Paragraphs on Arabic revelation, recitation, and the arrangement of the 114 surahs.
Works in the library
1 under developmentSources
- The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an,” Harvard University, undated; accessed October 21, 2026, Complete glossary entry: Gabriel, Muhammad, chapter structure, and translations. The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an: The Word of God,” Harvard University, 2020, Pages 1–2: al-Fatihah, recitation, 114 surahs, genres, and translation.
- The Pluralism Project, “Qur’an: The Word of God,” Harvard University, 2020, Pages 1–2: al-Fatihah, recitation, 114 surahs, genres, and translation.