Meaning of Quran

The term Quran ( الْقُرْآن ) is often translated as “Recitation,” and some people assume this means the Quran’s foremost format is oral, but this is not correct. The word Quran comes from the root ( ق ر ا ). This root has the derivative meaning: “to read” and, more specifically, “to read from something written.” So, the word Quran inherently implies reciting from something written.

This is apparent by the very first revelation given to Muhammad, where Muhammad is commanded to “read” ( iq’ra / اقرَأ ), which is from the same root as the word Quran. Secondly, it clarifies that this is from something written when it explains that “He (God) teaches by means of the pen” ( الْقَلَم ) in verse 96:4.

[96:1] Read, in the name of your Lord, who created. [96:2] He created man from an embryo. [96:3] Read, and your Lord, Most Exalted. [96:4] Teaches by means of the pen. [96:5] He teaches man what he never knew.

(١) اقرَأ بِاسمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذي خَلَقَ (٢) خَلَقَ الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ (٣) اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ (٤) الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ (٥) عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ

The term "iq'ra" (ٱقْرَأْ) only occurs three times throughout the Quran. Twice in the verses above (96:1 & 3), the other occurrence is in 17:14. This verse indicates that the meaning is to "read" and not recite, as the occurrence of 17:14 is used to a physical record.

[17:14] Read your own record. Today, you suffice as your own reckoner.

(١٤) ٱقْرَأْ كِتَـٰبَكَ كَفَىٰ بِنَفْسِكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًا

Also, in case anyone may argue that the term “pen” ( الْقَلَم ) used in 96:4 is somehow metaphorical, it clarifies in the second revelation given to Muhammad that the function of the pen is “to write.” This shows that the mechanism God taught the Quran to the prophet was not only orally but also in written form.

[68:1] NuN, the pen, and what they (the people) write.

(١) نون وَالقَلَمِ وَما يَسطُرونَ

Then, in verse 20 of the third revelation, Sura 73: Cloaked (Al-Muzzammil), we see that the prophet is commanded to read the Quran at night.

[73:20] Your Lord knows that you meditate during two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or one-third of it, and so do some of those who believed with you. GOD has designed the night and the day, and He knows that you cannot always do this. He has pardoned you. Instead, you shall read what you can of the Quran. He knows that some of you may be ill, others may be traveling in pursuit of GOD's provisions, and others may be striving in the cause of GOD. You shall read what you can of it, and observe the contact prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and lend GOD a loan of righteousness. Whatever good you send ahead on behalf of your souls, you will find it at GOD far better and generously rewarded. And implore GOD for forgiveness. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

(٢٠) إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ أَدْنَىٰ مِن ثُلُثَىِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَنِصْفَهُۥ وَثُلُثَهُۥ وَطَآئِفَةٌ مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مَعَكَ وَٱللَّهُ يُقَدِّرُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ عَلِمَ أَن لَّن تُحْصُوهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَٱقْرَءُوا۟ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ عَلِمَ أَن سَيَكُونُ مِنكُم مَّرْضَىٰ وَءَاخَرُونَ يَضْرِبُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَبْتَغُونَ مِن فَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ وَءَاخَرُونَ يُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَٱقْرَءُوا۟ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنْهُ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَقْرِضُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا۟ لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْرًا وَأَعْظَمَ أَجْرًا وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِي

So, from the first three revelations, we see:

• The prophet was commanded to “read” the Quran.

• God taught the Quran through the pen

• The function of the pen is to write

• Muhammad was commanded to read the Quran

Therefore, it does not make sense if the Quran was only written after the prophet's death.