The Qur’an: An outline of what’s in the Muslim Scriptures
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
I have a personal rule of not talking about things I haven’t read. I learned this in college from an elderly Jesuit we affectionately called Uncle Joop, who encouraged us to read the Qur’an, the Dhammapada, the Bhagavad Gita, the Tripitaka, the Tao Te Ching, and other sacred texts.
“Understand before we comment,” he said in his Dutch accent.
And so I did.
The Qur’an, or Koran, is the sacred Scripture of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the literal word of God (Allah) as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of about 23 years in the 7th century CE. These revelations, first recited and memorized, were later written down and compiled into the text as we know it today.
[Jewish Scriptures were handed down through the generations in the same way.]
There is much in the Muslim Scriptures that ties us Christians together including respect for Jesus and Mary using their Arabic names.
Before I read these texts, my understanding of Islam were from narratives shaped by news stories of terrorism and the political rhetoric of 1980s and post-9/11 eras. After reading, I understood that the narrative is from a narrow fringe and true Islam is nothing like it’s portrayed by pop media.
Reading the Qur’an has helped me better understand where my Muslim friends and family members are coming from and has deepened my appreciation for our shared values and spiritual commonalities.
What follows is a very basic outline of the Qur’an. If I have made any mistakes, please let me know.
Outline if the Qur’an
1. Opening Prayer
Al-Fatiha (The Opening) – A short prayer praising God’s mercy and asking for guidance on the straight path.
2–24: Core Teachings for Believers
Al-Baqarah (The Cow) – Covers faith, law, worship, stories of past prophets, and guidance for building a just community.
Al-Imran (Family of Imran) – Emphasizes trust in God, Jesus’ story, and calls for unity among believers.
An-Nisa (Women) – Explores women’s rights, family law, justice, and caring for orphans.
Al-Ma’idah (The Table) – Regulations on dietary laws, justice, and warnings to respect God’s covenant.
Al-An’am (Cattle) – Calls to reject idolatry, trust revelation, and follow God’s guidance.
Al-A’raf (The Heights) – Narratives of prophets and moral lessons, warning of Judgment Day.
Al-Anfal (Spoils of War) – Rules of warfare, justice, and divine support for believers.
At-Tawbah (Repentance) – Stresses repentance, faithfulness, and God’s forgiveness.
Yunus (Jonah) – Highlights God’s mercy and signs in creation.
Hud (Hud) – Prophet stories stressing patience and divine justice.
Yusuf (Joseph) – Joseph’s life as a story of resilience, forgiveness, and God’s plan.
Ar-Ra’d (Thunder) – God’s power in creation and guidance through revelation.
Ibrahim (Abraham) – Focuses on Abraham’s prayer and God’s blessings.
Al-Hijr (The Rocky Tract) – God’s control over history; preservation of the Qur’an.
An-Nahl (Bees) – Signs of God in nature, gratitude, and ethics.
Al-Isra (Night Journey) – Prophet Muhammad’s night journey and spiritual lessons.
Al-Kahf (The Cave) – Stories of the youths in the cave, moral tests, and trust in God.
Maryam (Mary) – Stories of Mary, Jesus, and God’s mercy.
Taha (Taha) – Focuses on Moses’ story and God’s guidance.
Al-Anbiya (Prophets) – Lessons from prophets, end-times, and monotheism.
Al-Hajj (Pilgrimage) – Calls for pilgrimage, judgment, and faith.
Al-Mu’minun (Believers) – Traits of true believers and God’s creation.
An-Nur (Light) – Laws on modesty, morality, and justice.
25–48: Warnings and Stories
Al-Furqan (Criterion) – Distinguishes good from evil; signs of God.
Ash-Shu’ara (Poets) – Prophet stories emphasizing God’s help.
An-Naml (Ants) – Stories of Solomon, Sheba’s queen, and God’s power.
Al-Qasas (Stories) – Moses’ story and God’s providence.
Al-Ankabut (Spider) – Endurance in faith; world is temporary.
Ar-Rum (Romans) – God’s signs in history and nature.
Luqman (Luqman) – Wisdom and advice from Luqman.
As-Sajda (Prostration) – Encourages worship, stresses resurrection.
Al-Ahzab (Confederates) – Discusses social laws and Prophet’s family.
Saba (Sheba) – God’s power, gratitude vs. denial.
Fatir (Originator) – God as creator, calls to worship.
Ya-Sin (Ya-Sin) – Heart of Qur’an: God’s signs, resurrection.
As-Saffat (Those Ranged in Ranks) – Angels, prophets, and judgment.
Sad (Sad) – Stories of David, Solomon; patience in trials.
Az-Zumar (Groups) – Sincere worship, Day of Judgment.
Ghafir (Forgiver) – God’s mercy and Pharaoh’s story.
Fussilat (Explained in Detail) – Revelation as guidance, creation.
Ash-Shura (Consultation) – Justice, mercy, and divine wisdom.
Az-Zukhruf (Gold Ornaments) – Critiques arrogance and idolatry.
Ad-Dukhan (Smoke) – End-times and divine signs.
Al-Jathiya (Crouching) – God’s signs, human accountability.
Al-Ahqaf (Sand Dunes) – Stories of ‘Ad, truth of revelation.
Muhammad (Muhammad) – Instructions on war, justice, faith.
Al-Fath (Victory) – Peace treaty of Hudaybiyyah; God’s support.
49–66: Social and Ethical Laws
Al-Hujurat (Chambers) – Respect, ethics, brotherhood.
Qaf (Qaf) – Resurrection and God’s closeness.
Adh-Dhariyat (Winds) – Signs of God, prophet stories.
At-Tur (Mount) – Judgment and warnings.
An-Najm (Star) – God’s power, Prophet’s vision.
Al-Qamar (Moon) – History of destroyed nations.
Ar-Rahman (Merciful) – God’s mercy in creation.
Al-Waqi’a (Inevitable) – Resurrection scenes.
Al-Hadid (Iron) – Wealth and faith.
Mujadila (Pleading Woman) – Justice and disputes.
Al-Hashr (Exile) – Expulsion of a tribe; God’s names.
Mumtahanah (Tested Woman) – Relations with non-Muslims.
As-Saff (Ranks) – Unity and faith.
Jumu’a (Friday) – Friday prayer and warning.
Munafiqun (Hypocrites) – Hypocrisy condemned.
Taghabun (Mutual Loss & Gain) – Accountability and guidance.
Talaq (Divorce) – Divorce laws, God’s wisdom.
Tahrim (Prohibition) – Correcting Prophet’s family dispute.
67–114: Shorter Surahs on Faith, Judgment, and Morality
Mulk (Kingdom) – God’s control and creation.
Qalam (Pen) – Morality, Prophet’s mission.
Haqqah (Inevitable) – Judgment scenes.
Ma’arij (Ascending) – Human nature, judgment.
Nuh (Noah) – Noah’s preaching and patience.
Jinn (Jinn) – Belief among jinn, God’s power.
Muzzammil (Wrapped One) – Night prayer, patience.
Mudaththir (Cloaked One) – Prophet’s call to warning.
Qiyamah (Resurrection) – Resurrection and soul.
Insan (Man) – Human creation, reward.
Mursalat (Sent Forth) – Judgment Day warnings.
Naba (News) – Resurrection and reward.
Nazi’at (Snatchers) – Angels and judgment.
Abasa (He Frowned) – Prophet corrected; equality.
Takwir (Overthrowing) – Cosmic signs of judgment.
Infitar (Splitting) – Signs of resurrection.
Mutaffifin (Defrauders) – Condemnation of dishonesty.
Inshiqaq (Splitting Asunder) – Resurrection, deeds.
Buruj (Constellations) – Martyrs, God’s justice.
Tariq (Morning Star) – Oath on creation and judgment.
A’la (Most High) – Praise, reward for piety.
Ghashiyah (Overwhelming) – Heaven, hell, and signs.
Fajr (Dawn) – Judgment, past nations.
Balad (City) – Hardship, moral choices.
Shams (Sun) – Purity vs. corruption.
Layl (Night) – Charity vs. greed.
Duha (Morning Brightness) – Comfort to Prophet.
Sharh (Relief) – Assurance and ease.
Tin (Fig) – Human dignity and judgment.
Alaq (Clot) – First revelation, learning.
Qadr (Power) – Night of power (Laylat al-Qadr).
Bayyinah (Clear Proof) – Clarity of revelation.
Zalzalah (Earthquake) – Judgment and deeds.
Adiyat (Coursers) – Greed and ingratitude.
Qari’ah (Striking Hour) – Judgment Day imagery.
Takathur (Competition) – Warning against greed.
Asr (Time) – Salvation through faith and deeds.
Humazah (Slanderer) – Condemns arrogance.
Fil (Elephant) – God’s protection of Kaaba.
Quraish (Quraish) – Reminder of God’s blessings.
Ma’un (Small Kindnesses) – Warning against neglecting orphans and poor.
Kawthar (Abundance) – God’s blessing, worship.
Kafirun (Disbelievers) – Respectful rejection of idolatry.
Nasr (Help) – Prophecy of Islam’s victory.
Masad (Palm Fiber) – Condemnation of Abu Lahab.
Ikhlas (Sincerity) – God’s oneness.
Falaq (Daybreak) – Prayer for protection.
Nas (Mankind) – Seeking refuge in God.
