This superb translation by E.H.Palmer dates to 1900 and has been called a beautiful work of English in its own right. Palmer was a prolific Arabic and Persian translator and his edition of The Qu'ran is considred by many to be a classic. Most importantly, Palmer brings not only an appealing clarity to this ancient and revered text, but the ear of a poet. The Koran, literally meaning 'The Recitation' it is the central religious text for Muslims who believe the text was verbally revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad in Arabic through the angel Gabriel over a period of approximately 23 years. Muslims regard koranic revelations as the sacred word of God, intended to correct any errors in previous holy books such as the Old and New Testaments. The Koran is accepted as the foundation of Islamic law, religion, culture and politics.

Some Koranic fragments have been dated as far back as the eighth, and possibly even the seventh, century. The oldest existing copy of the full text is from the ninth century. Although early variants of the Koran are known to have existed, Muslims believe that the text we have today was established shortly after the death of the Prophet by the Caliph Uthman.