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While it sparked significant controversy in the Islamic world, Saddam Hussein once ordered a Quran to be written with his own blood. However, there are many other intriguing (and less eerie) insights about this sacred book. With over 1.5 billion Muslims globally, it’s no surprise that there's a wealth of Quran-related knowledge to discover.
10. The Largest Quran Ever
In 2008, Sayeed Najmul Hasan Chishti from India set the world record for creating the largest handwritten Quran. Then in 2009, a teenager spent 12 hours a day trying to create a Quran 3,000 meters (roughly 1,000 ft) long. It’s unclear if she finished it, but in 2011, the world record was claimed by a Quran in Russia, weighing 1,763 pounds and encrusted with gold, silver, and precious stones.
After all that effort, it must have been quite a shock when the world’s newest largest Quran was revealed in Afghanistan just months later. Clearly, the competition for the title of world’s largest is intense, with many putting in serious effort to claim it (someone should probably mention the 18-meter (60 ft) Quran located in a building in South Sumatra). There are plenty of large Qurans, that’s the takeaway here.
9. Misprinted Qurans Led to A Political Scandal
The Quran is believed to be the direct word of Allah, so leaving out a paragraph when copying it is highly disrespectful. Altering words here and there is also frowned upon. An even bigger mistake is printing 120,000 copies of a flawed version and distributing them worldwide, as happened with state-issued copies of the holy book in Kuwait in 1999.
The minister for justice and Islamic affairs became the unfortunate scapegoat when this error was discovered. He was accused of “attempting to distort the faith of Muslims,” which led to the entire Kuwaiti parliament being dissolved. The opposition claimed the misprints were deliberate, aimed at providing a reason to dissolve parliament and call for new elections.
8. Memorizing the Quran
This year, 17 million viewers across the globe tuned in to witness the Dubai National Quran Awards, a competition where children showcase their ability to memorize and recite the Quran, vying for a grand prize of 250,000 UAE dollars ($70,000). In addition to the grand prize, there's an accolade for the most melodious voice. As often happens in children's contests, there's a noticeable connection to the parents: The winner of the most beautiful voice award shared, “My father, who dedicated so much effort into training me, is overjoyed, and I feel immense pride in not disappointing him.”
Setting aside the notion of overly ambitious parenting, memorizing the Quran is a deeply valued pursuit. The term 'hafiz' is given to individuals who have successfully memorized the entire Quran, and those recognized as hafiz are held in high esteem by their Muslim community.
7. The Quran Ban
The history of banning books is filled with failures, highlighting the misguided nature of such actions. From 1926 to 1957, the Soviet Union banned all holy books, including the Quran. In recent history, Geert Wilders, a well-known Dutch politician, unsuccessfully tried to ban the Quran in the Netherlands. Similarly, Imran Firasat, a former Muslim, attempted to have the Quran banned in Spain, but was met with resistance and no success.
A widely-read English interpretation of the Quran is titled 'The Meaning of the Holy Quran.' Following the events of 9/11, the Council on American-Islamic Relations began distributing this particular version of the Quran to schools. However, due to controversial references in the text, such as referring to Jews as apes and pigs, the LA school district temporarily banned this edition in 2002.
The act of banning books, regardless of which books are involved, is an extreme stance that most people would not endorse. Both atheists and religious individuals tend to agree that reading sacred texts can provide insights that may encourage others to adopt their perspectives.
6. Miracle Baby
In 2009, Muslims in Dagestan, a region of Russia, gathered in droves to witness a nine-month-old boy, Ali Yakubov, whose skin reportedly displayed verses from the Quran. Thousands traveled to his home to observe what some believed was a divine sign. However, critics were quick to label it as possible child abuse with far-reaching consequences.
Ali's father works as a policeman in a region severely affected by Islamist extremism. Given the police and security forces are frequent targets of terrorist attacks, the local mayor quickly interpreted the Quranic writing on Ali’s skin as a divine message, warning that religion should not be taken too far. His mother expressed her belief that, 'Allah is great and he sent me my miracle child to keep our people safe.' Yet, despite this sign, the Islamist insurgency in Dagestan endures, even four years later.
5. Swearing on the Quran
If you're aiming to succeed in US politics but don't adhere to Christianity, brace yourself for a challenging journey. It may take years before a president offers morning prayers to anyone other than Jesus. However, individuals from different (or no) faiths are making progress. In 2006, Democrat Keith Ellison made history as the first Muslim elected to Congress, an event traditionally marked by a ceremonial swearing-in on a Bible. It didn't take long for the inevitable tension to arise from this situation.
Although the Bible-swearing ceremony is largely a photo op and not a formal requirement, Ellison's decision to use the Quran sparked predictable criticism from conservatives. In Australia, MP Ed Husic also faced online hostility after becoming the first person in the country to swear in using the Quran. Despite the backlash, Husic received substantial support and remained level-headed, stating, 'The important thing is that mainstream Australia wants everyone to work together.'
4. Guidelines for Respecting the Quran
Muslims hold the Quran in the highest regard, surpassing all other books (and most other things). Many are aware that the Quran should be placed on the highest shelf in the home, symbolizing its superior status over other books. However, there's more to proper Quran handling than just this. It's advised never to leave it open when setting it down, avoid wetting your fingers with saliva to turn the pages, and never read the Quran while it's resting on your lap.
The Quran's handling guidelines are deeply rooted in Islamic principles of purity. Wudu, a cleansing ritual before prayer, is necessary before touching or carrying the Quran or anything that contains it. Also, it's important to note that many Muslims refrain from reading the Quran during a woman's menstrual cycle as it is considered an impure time.
There are many rules to remember, and it can be overwhelming. One such rule is that yawning while reciting scripture is seen as improper and discouraged.
3. Rimsha Masih
In Pakistan, a Muslim-majority country, there are strict laws against damaging a Quran. Religious minorities, such as Christians, often find themselves affected by these laws. A tragic example is the case of Rimsha Masih, a 14-year-old disabled Christian girl, who in August 2012 was accused of burning Quran pages. Under threat from an angry mob, police arrested her, forcing 600 Christian families to flee their homes.
Khalid Jadoon, a local Muslim cleric, was later accused of planting the incriminating evidence. He had previously called for the burning of Christians, adding further gravity to his alleged offense. Jadoon was scheduled to be tried in Islamabad's high court, but the case was dropped after witness statements changed. Jadoon claimed that the police coerced people into giving the original testimonies. Meanwhile, others blamed Islamic extremists for pressuring the witnesses to recant. Regardless of who is right, this remains a deeply tragic case, and the authorities mishandled it from the start.
2. Quran Burning
In 2010, controversial pastor Terry Jones gained international attention for his plan to hold an "International Burn a Quran Day." Although his actions continue to stir outrage, his plan to burn 2,998 Qurans on September 11 of that year was halted when he was arrested for illegally transporting kerosene, a trailer full of Qurans, and a grill to the site. Authorities understandably remain wary of Quran burnings. In 2012, American soldiers in Afghanistan unintentionally disposed of several Qurans in a waste fire, sparking violent protests that resulted in the deaths of dozens.
1. What’s A Quran worth?
In 2007, the most expensive Quran ever sold fetched a staggering $2.3 million. While this is an extraordinary sum, it doesn't hold the title for the priciest religious text—one volume of the two-part Gutenberg Bible went for $5.5 million in 2008. The Quran in question, dated June 1203 (17 Ramadan 599 on the Islamic calendar), is the oldest known complete and dated copy.
As is often the case, large sums of money attract criminal activity. In May 2000, three men were arrested for attempting to smuggle a stolen Quran out of Turkey. This 11th-century Quran, which had been taken from Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, was estimated to be worth around $50,000 on the black market in the UK.
