"The Quran (kɔːrˈɑːn[n 1] kor-AHN; Arabic: القرآن‎ al-Qurʾān,[n 2] literally meaning ""the recitation""; also romanized Qur'an or Koran) is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims believe to be a revelation from God (Arabic: الله‎, Allah).[1] It is widely regarded as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language.[2][3] Quranic chapters are called suras and verses, ayahs. br Muslims believe the Quran was verbally revealed by God to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel (Jibril),[4][5] gradually over a period of approximately 23 years, beginning on 22 December 609 CE,[6] when Muhammad was 40, and concluding in 632, the year of his death.[1][7][8] Muslims regard the Quran as the most important miracle of Muhammad, a proof of his prophethood,[9] and the culmination of a series of divine messages that started with the messages revealed to Adam and ended with Muhammad.