This is 
the Holy Book which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Allah’s Peace and Blessing be upon him) as a guidance to mankind. It was revealed to him over twenty-three years. The first revelation came to him when he was contemplating in the cave of Hira.
Then suddenly, the Angel Jibril appeared to him and asked him to read. The Prophet, (Allah’s Peace and Blessing be upon him), being illiterate, said, “I cannot read!” Jibril embraced him tightly and then released him saying “Read!” Again the Prophet (Allah’s Peace and Blessing be upon him) said, “I cannot read!” Once again, Jibril embraced him tightly and then released him saying
“Read in the Name of your Lord Who created. He created man from a clot of blood. Read and your Lord is the Most Bountiful. He Who has taught by the pen. Taught man what he knew not.”
[Al-‘Alaq 96:1-5]
The verses of the Qur’an continued to be revealed to the Prophet (Allah’s Peace and Blessing be upon him) telling him to ask the people to follow the Right Path of Islam.
Every time the verses were revealed, the Prophet (Allah’s Peace and Blessing be upon him) would order his people to write them down. All verses of the Qur’an were preserved in this way. Later they were made into a book which we have today.
The Qur’an is the Book of Guidance for all mankind. It contains all the basic principles of the religion of Islam. It has given the details of the matters of Belief, the duties which are compulsory for Muslims to perform and a code of conduct which Muslims must follow.
Muslims must recite the Qur’an in Arabic and learn its meaning in their own language. They must also act according to its teachings.
There are 114 chapters in the Qur’an. Some are very long and some are short. The Qur’an is divided into 30 parts. This is to make it easy for people to recite one part a day and finish reciting it in a month. Recitation of the Qur’an and remembering its chapters and verses by heart are good deeds for which a person will be rewarded.
“Alif Laam Meem. (1) This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah. (2) Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them. (3) And who believe in the Revelation sent to you, and sent before you, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter. (4) They are on (true guidance), from their Lord and it is these who will prosper. (5)”
[Al-Baqara 2:1-5]