A simple reply to the question “Who named Quran” is that it is Allah who gave His Book this name “Quran”. There are many false claims which have been refuted time and again. Some of these false claims are from the recent generations. For example: that it is the first caliph Abu bakr who gave the name Quran or it is devil who gave this name and so on.
Origin of the name “Quran”
The name “Quran” (القرآن) is derived from the Arabic root word “qara’a,” meaning “to recite” or “to read aloud”. The term “Quran” itself means “the recitation” or “the reading”. The Quran is not named by a human as being perceived from the question “who named Quran”. This question gives a false perception in the sense of a person giving it a title. Instead, the name is found within the Quran itself. It is mentioned as “the Quran” in various verses like:
- In Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 185: “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran…”
- In Surah An-Nisaa, Ayah 82: “Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an? If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.”
- In Surah Al-Araaf, Ayah 204: “So when the Qur’an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.”
- In Surah Yusuf, Ayah 2: “Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an that you might understand.”
- In Surah Al-Israa, Ayah 9: “Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward”.
- In Surah Yaseen, Ayah 2: “By the wise Qur’an”.
- In Surah Al-Qamar, Ayah 40: “And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?”
- In Surah Al-Hashr, Ayah 21: “If We had sent down this Qur’an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of Allah…”
- In Surah Al-Muzzammil, Ayah 4: “Or add to it, and recite the Qur’an with measured recitation”.
- In Surah Al-burooj, Ayah 21: “But this is an honored Qur’an”
and many more…
Conclusion
So the question “Who named Quran” is well answered by Quran itself. The name “Quran” was revealed in the Quran itself, as it emphasizes the concept of divine recitation. Therefore, the Quran’s name was not the result of any human decision but rather part of the divine revelation. The Quran was revealed to Prophet (ﷺ) gradually over the span of around 23 years.
Do you want to know the different names of Quran? Click here
