The Qur’an is revered by Muslims as the Word of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel. In its final form, the Qur’an consists of 114 chapters (sura), and each chapter is divided into a number of verses (aya)—more than 6,200 in all. It outlines not only a set of beliefs and the relationship between God and humans, but also provides a moral and practical guide for daily life, right and wrong, good and evil.

The Qur’an was revealed in Arabic, and while it has been translated in many languages, they are considered “interpretations;” only the original Arabic is recognized as the true word of God. Muslims worldwide learn Arabic so that they can read and recite the Qur’an exactly as the Angel Gabriel recited it to Muhammad.

The Hadith, meanwhile, is a collection of the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, which Muslims rely upon as a guide to proper behavior. The most authoritative hadith are those that can be traced back to someone who knew the Prophet well during his own lifetime, including his wife Aisha, and his closest companions. As these individuals themselves died, Muslims recognized the importance of recording the traditions of the Prophet for future generations.  Many hadith deal with details of religious practice, such as the rituals of prayer and of pilgrimage. Others focus on the practicalities of life, such as personal hygiene, table manners, and social interactions.