What to Expect When You Read the Quran for the First Time
Reading the Quran for the first time can be an eye-opening and profound experience. Whether you’ve requested a free copy from Get-Quran.com, found one from the other Quran providers or in your local library, this book is unlike anything you’ll be able to describe and beyond your experience. This Quran is a timeless message that has shaped the lives of over 1.9 billion people around the world.
Here’s a simple yet enlightening guide to help you approach the Quran with an open mind and heart.
1. The Quran is Not in Chronological Order
One of the first things you will notice is that the Quran isn’t arranged like a traditional book from beginning to end.
- It’s divided into 114 chapters (Surahs) of varying lengths, not in the order they were revealed.
- Themes often shift across verses (Ayahs) within a single chapter, touching on history and stories, spirituality, morality, guidelines and personal guidance.
This unique structure encourages contemplation rather than passive reading.
2. A Conversation With Your Lord
The Quran is the direct speech of Almighty God, not the biography of any sort.
- You’ll often see phrases like “Say…” or “Indeed We…”, or rhetorical questions like “Will you not then reason?” or “Do they not then reflect?” as if God is speaking and engaging directly to you.
- Many find this style deeply personal, almost like a conversation with the Divine, making the experience feel so personal and alive.
3. Universal Themes That Speak to Everyone
You may be surprised at how much the Qur’an addresses universal human concerns:
- Purpose of life – Why are we here? The Quran dives right into this question that we were created to fulfill the rights of the Creator and then the rights of the creation.
- Morality – Honesty, justice, kindness to parents, helping the poor. Worship in Islam is a comprehensive term that includes any action or deed that pleases God, hence spirituality and Islam go hand-in-hand.
- Accountability – Standing before God after this life. The Quran teaches that every moment of our lives is a blessing for which we will be accountable before God, an idea that gives weight and consequence to a person’s choices.
4. A Deep Respect for All Prophets of God
You may be familiar with Prophets and Messengers from the Bible and Torah, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them all). These same Messengers are also mentioned in the Quran but with their honor and status raised. The core belief in Islam is that all these Prophets brought the same core message to their people: worship the one true God alone, and live a righteous upright life.
- Jesus is described as the Messiah and born miraculously to Mary, and did miracles by God’s permission. The main point of difference is his relationship with God. The Quran emphasizes that he was a noble and chosen Prophet and Messenger of God but was not God, nor the son of God, nor was he crucified.
- The Quran emphasizes the continuity of God’s message through all Prophets, with the last one being Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the chain. I want you to imagine it like a single story from God to mankind, delivered in chapters, each confirming the previous, by different messengers over thousands of years.
5. You’re Invited to Think and Question
The Quran repeatedly invites us to reflect and use our intellect:
“Do they not reflect upon themselves?” (Qur’an 30:8)
“Will you not then use reason?” (Qur’an 2:44)
“Then do you not see?” (Qur’an 56:59)
It encourages using our intellect, observing nature and its signs, and examining history to recognize truth. The Quran teaches us that the strength of our faith is that which is built on a foundation of deep thought, observation, and reflection. As you explore your free Quran, we invite you to reach out if any doubt or questions comes to mind.
6. You Don’t Need to Know Arabic
While the Quran was revealed in Arabic, there are many reliable translations available. Don’t let the language be a barrier for you! Although translation doesn’t do justice to the language, you can still understand its meanings.
- Reading a translation will help you understand the meaning like Sahih International, while hearing it recited in Arabic will let you experience its unique eloquence. The language of the Quran itself is a miracle, and you’ll truly know this once you experience it.
7. It’s an Ongoing Journey
Let me share with you a true story of Alexis tied to the Quran which led her to Islam, she says: I was listening to a video about birds, and much of the information and the connections were made using words and scriptures I hadn’t heard before. I then learned it was from the Holy Quran. Those words really latched onto my heart, and once I found out where they were from, I did some research with ChatGPT. I discovered they were from the Holy Quran, found where I could get a copy, and ordered one right away.
Take your time in reading it, even if it’s to read a few verses at a time, reflect on them, and revisit passages.
If you’re ready to explore the Quran for yourself, we’d be honored to send you a free Quran copy in English.