You might have heard some unusual stories, like the controversial tale of Saddam Hussein commissioning a Quran written in his own blood. While that’s certainly a conversation starter, the Quran, a sacred text for over 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide, is surrounded by many other fascinating, and sometimes strange, pieces of information. Ready to explore some of the most surprising facts? Let’s dive in!
10 The World’s Biggest Quran
The title of “World’s Biggest Quran” seems to be a highly sought-after honor! In 2008, Sayeed Najmul Hasan Chishti from India created a huge handwritten Quran, setting a world record. But records are made to be broken. In 2011, Russia unveiled a massive Quran weighing 1,763 pounds, adorned with gold, silver, and precious stones. Amazingly, just a few months later, an even larger one was revealed in Afghanistan. It seems there’s a continuous friendly competition to create the largest version of this holy book. Some people might not even know about an 18-meter (60 ft) Quran that’s actually part of a building in South Sumatra! Clearly, many people put enormous effort into making these giant religious texts.
9 Misprinted Qurans Caused A Political Crisis
The Quran is considered by Muslims to be the exact word of Allah. So, making errors when copying it is a very serious matter. Imagine the trouble when 120,000 copies of the holy book with mistakes were printed and sent out internationally! This happened in Kuwait in 1999 with state-issued copies. The minister for justice and Islamic affairs faced severe criticism, with accusations of “trying to disfigure the faith of Muslims.” The situation became so intense that it led to the entire Kuwaiti parliament being dissolved. Some in the government’s opposition even claimed the misprints were deliberately created to force a new election.
8 Quran Memorization
Memorizing the entire Quran is a significant achievement in Islam. Each year, millions watch events like the Dubai International Holy Quran Award. In this contest, children recite the Quran from memory, competing for large cash prizes, sometimes around $70,000. There’s even an award for the most beautiful voice. One young winner mentioned how proud he was not to let down his father, who had trained him hard. Those who completely memorize the Quran earn the respected title of “Hafiz” and are highly regarded within their communities.
7 Banning The Quran
Throughout history, banning books has often proven to be a controversial idea. Like other holy texts, the Quran was banned in Soviet Russia for several decades, from 1926 to 1957. More recently, Dutch politician Geert Wilders tried to get the Quran banned in the Netherlands, but his efforts failed. Similarly, a petition in Spain by a former Muslim to ban the Quran also did not succeed. Interestingly, even specific interpretations have faced bans. For example, one popular English version was temporarily banned by the LA school district in 2002 due to controversial references. Ultimately, most people, whether religious or not, tend to agree that reading holy books, rather than banning them, leads to better understanding.
6 Miracle Baby
In 2009, an unusual event drew thousands of people to Dagestan, a republic in Russia. They came to see a nine-month-old boy named Ali Yakubov. It was reported that verses from the Quran were mysteriously appearing on his skin. While many viewed this as a miracle, skeptics raised concerns, some even suggesting it could be a form of child abuse. Ali’s father was a policeman in a region troubled by extremism. The local mayor suggested the writings were a sign from Allah against religious extremism. Ali’s mother believed her son was a miracle sent to protect their people. Despite these hopes, the unrest in Dagestan continued.
5 Swearing On The Quran
In US politics, not being Christian can present unique challenges. While a US president praying to anyone other than Jesus is still some way off, people of other faiths are making their way into public office. In 2006, Democrat Keith Ellison became the first Muslim elected to Congress. Traditionally, this involves a ceremonial swearing-in on a Bible. Ellison chose to use a Quran, which, though not part of the official binding ceremony, drew criticism from some traditionalists. Similarly, in Australia, MP Ed Husic faced online abuse when he swore in on a Quran, becoming the first in that country’s history to do so. He also received much support and noted the importance of mainstream Australia wanting everyone to work together.
4 Rules For Handling The Quran
Muslims hold the Quran in the highest reverence. Many know it should be kept on the highest shelf in a home, symbolizing its importance above other books. But there are many other guidelines for handling it respectfully. For instance, one shouldn’t leave it open when unattended, use saliva to turn pages, or read it while it’s on one’s lap. Islamic ideas of purity also play a role. A cleansing ritual called Wudu is recommended before touching or carrying the Quran. Some interpretations also suggest that women should refrain from reading the Quran during their menstrual cycle. And if all these rules make you feel tired, be careful – yawning while reciting scripture is also discouraged!
3 What’s A Quran Worth?
How much can a Quran cost? The most expensive one ever sold went for over $2.3 million in 2007. This particular Quran was dated June 1203 (17 Ramadan 599 on the Islamic calendar), making it the oldest known complete and dated copy. While this is a huge sum, it’s not the most valuable holy book; a Gutenberg Bible volume once sold for $5.5 million. Predictably, such valuable items attract crime. In 2000, three men were arrested for trying to smuggle a stolen 11th-century Quran out of Turkey. This copy, taken from Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, was estimated to be worth around $50,000 on the black market in the UK.
2 Quran Burning
Acts of disrespect towards the Quran, such as burning, often lead to widespread outrage. Pastor Terry Jones gained notoriety in 2010 for planning an “International Burn a Quran Day.” His later attempt to burn nearly 3,000 Qurans in 2013 was stopped by an arrest for illegally transporting kerosene. Authorities are understandably nervous about such events. In 2012, US soldiers in Afghanistan accidentally threw several Qurans into a waste fire, sparking days of riots that resulted in dozens of deaths. In another incident in Bangladesh, riots erupted, destroying ancient Buddhist temples and homes, not because of a direct burning, but because a local Buddhist man was tagged on Facebook in a picture of a Quran burning. This shows how sensitive such issues can be, even indirectly.
1 Rimsha Masih
Pakistan has laws against damaging the Quran. In a country where about 97% of the population is Muslim, religious minorities can sometimes face difficult situations under these laws. A particularly sad case is that of Rimsha Masih, a 14-year-old Christian girl with reported learning disabilities. In 2012, she was accused of damaging a Quran after being found with burnt pages. A threatening mob pressured police to arrest her, and around 600 Christian families from her village had to flee their homes for safety. Later, a local Muslim cleric, Khalid Jadoon, who had called for harsh punishments against Christians, was accused of planting the evidence. The case became complicated, with witnesses changing their statements, possibly due to pressure. It remains a tragic example of how such accusations can escalate.
Conclusion
The Quran, a book central to the lives of billions, is intertwined with a vast array of human experiences, from incredible artistic devotion and acts of deep piety to political turmoil and deeply unfortunate misunderstandings. These strange and fascinating facts offer just a glimpse into its complex role in history and contemporary society, reminding us that there’s always more to learn and understand about the world’s diverse cultures and beliefs.
What are your thoughts on these facts? Do you know any other surprising details about the Quran? Leave your comment below and join the conversation!
