The Quran has created a remarkably strong core of identity and continuity for a religious tradition that is now in its fifteenth century. This very brief introduction examines the significance of the Quran both in the modern world and in traditional Muslim culture. Michael Cook provides a clear and straightforward account of the Quran as a code, as scripture, as liturgy, and as an embodiment of truth, exploring its modes of emergence and dissemination. He also discusses interpretative issues related to certain key verses and highlights the text's richness for readers around the globe. About the series: The "Very Short Introductions" series from Oxford University Press includes hundreds of titles across nearly every subject area. These handy books are the perfect way to quickly dive into a new topic. Our expert authors combine facts, analyses, perspectives, new ideas, and enthusiasm.