What Does "Quran" Mean?

The word Quran (القرآن) comes from the Arabic root qara'a, meaning "to read" or "to recite." The Quran is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the literal word of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over 23 years through the angel Jibreel (Gabriel).

Tarjuma vs. Tafsir

Tarjuma means translation — rendering the meaning of the Arabic verses into another language such as English, Hindi, or Urdu, as closely as possible.

Tafsir means exegesis or commentary — a deeper explanation of the context, grammar, and meaning behind each verse, often written by classical scholars.

A translation alone can miss nuance, since Arabic words often carry multiple layers of meaning. Reading a translation alongside a trusted tafsir gives a fuller understanding of the verse.

Common Islamic Terms

Surah — a chapter of the Quran (114 in total).

Ayah — a single verse within a Surah.

Juz — one of 30 equal parts the Quran is divided into, often used for recitation schedules during Ramadan.

Ruku — a thematic section within a Surah, used as a pause point in recitation.