When you’re writing a paper, you might need to cite sources like books, articles, or websites. But what happens when your source is a religious text like the Quran? The rules change a bit. Because the Quran is one of the world’s major religious works, citation styles like MLA, APA, and Chicago style have special rules for it. These rules also apply to other books and classical religious works like the Bible or the Vedas.
This guide will show you how to create references and in-text citations for the Quran so you can quote it in your writing correctly and confidently. We’re focusing on the English translated versions you’ll most likely use in your assignments.
TL;DR: How to Cite the Quran
- MLA: Include a full entry in your Works Cited list. The in-text citation is (Quran sura:verse).
- APA: Do not include it in the reference list (usually). The in-text citation is (Quran sura:verse). You must name the translator in your sentence on the first mention.
- Chicago: Do not include it in the bibliography. The citation goes in a footnote (e.g., 1. Quran sura:verse.).
Why Citing the Quran is Different
Citing the Quran isn’t like citing a modern novel. First, it’s a sacred religious text, and its original version is in Arabic. Any version you read in English is translated. This makes the translator very important. Second, the Quran isn’t “authored” in the way a novel is. So, you don’t list an author.
The most foundational distinction is how you locate a passage. In other books, we use page numbers. But page numbers change between different editions. A phrase on page 20 in your book might be on page 25 in your friend’s. The Quran, however, has a stable system: chapters (called sura) and lines (called verse). A citation for Quran 5:3 points to the exact same passage in *every* copy of the Quran, regardless of the publisher or translator.
Think of the sura and verse numbers as a permanent street address for the idea, one that doesn’t change, no matter who publishes the map. This is why we use these verse numbers instead of page numbers.
A quick note on spelling: You will see “Quran,” “Qur’an,” and “Koran.” All are common. The most important thing is to be consistent. Choose one spelling and use it throughout your paper (unless a specific citation style, like MLA, tells you otherwise).
MLA Style (9th Edition)
MLA style treats the Quran like a regular book in one way: it requires a full entry on your Works Cited page. This bibliographic entry tells your reader exactly which edition you translated and read.
MLA Works Cited Entry
You start with the title in italics. Then, you provide the translator. After that, you list the publication information just like any other book.
The Qur’an. Translated by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem, Oxford UP, 2005.
MLA In-Text Citation
For your in-text citation, MLA requires parenthetical citations. This is the parenthetical citation in text that appears right after your quote or paraphrase. You do not list the translator or page number here. Instead, you use the title (or a shortened version) and the sura and verse numbers, separated by a colon.
One passage states that “there is no compulsion in religious belief” (Quran 2:256).
I remember being confused at first, wondering where the author’s name went. But it makes sense when you think about it; the verse is the real address. If you cite the Quran many times, you can even leave the title out of the parenthetical citation after the first time, as long as it’s clear you’re still discussing the same religious text. For example:
The text first establishes a principle of religious freedom (Quran 2:256). It later expands on the nature of belief (2:285).
APA Style (7th Edition)
APA style handles classical religious works very differently. The general rule from the official APA Style blog is that sacred religious texts like the Bible and the Quran should *not* be included in your reference list.
APA Reference List
You read that right. APA style does not require reference list entries for the Quran. Why? Because the source is considered “recoverable” by everyone using the stable sura and verse numbers. The citation information is provided entirely within the text itself.
Heads up: Always check with your instructor. Sometimes, a supervisor prefers you to include it. If they do, ask them for their preferred format. If they want an example, you could model it like a standard book, noting the translator:
The Qur’an. (M. A. S. Haleem, Trans.). (2005). Oxford UP.
But again, only do this if you’re asked. The default APA rule is that there are no reference list entries for works that include religious works like this.
APA In-Text Citation
Since there’s no reference list entry, you must provide citation information in your narrative. On the first mention of the Quran, you must identify the version or translator you are using.
The Quran (5:3, Trans. M.A.S. Abdel Haleem) lists specific dietary restrictions for Muslims.
The standard APA parenthetical citation is modified. You use the title, then the sura and verse. Notice that APA does not use italics for the title of a religious text.
The Quran specifies certain dietary restrictions (Quran 5:3). After that first citation, you can just use the parenthetical citation without the translator’s name. The verse referenced is clear.
Chicago Style (17th Edition, Notes and Bibliography)
Chicago style typically aligns with APA on one big point: classical sacred texts like the Quran do not get a bibliographic entry in the bibliography. The citation happens entirely in a footnote. It’s a clean system that keeps the bibliography focused on secondary sources (the books and articles you read *about* topics).
Chicago Bibliography
You do not need to list the Quran in your bibliography.
Chicago Footnote Citation
When you quote or paraphrase, you’ll add a footnote. The basic footnote format is simple: The title (in italics for Chicago), followed by the sura and verse.
1. Quran 2:256.
If your work involves comparing different translations, or if it’s important for your reader to know which translator you’re using, you can add edition or translator information in parentheses. You should place this after the verse number, followed by a period outside the closing parentheses.
2. Quran 19:17-21 (trans. Abdel Haleem).
Unlike other books in Chicago style, you don’t need to use a shortened form for subsequent footnotes (like “Quran, 2:256″). Because the footnote format is already so short, and you might be referencing many different religious works, it’s common practice to use the full form (e.g., “Quran 2:256.”) every time you cite the same source.
Handling Different Translators and Editions
There are many different translators of the Quran. You might find several different editions in your library. The translator you choose matters, as their word choices can subtly change the feeling of the translated verse. Your job is simple: cite the edition you actually read. The translator information is the key piece of data that separates one edition from another.
But what if I’m using an app? That’s a common modern problem. Treat the app or website as the “Publisher.” If you’re using a website that doesn’t list a translator, you would cite the website itself. For example, in MLA, you might have an entry for the website where you accessed the religious text. (For more on that, see this guide on citing websites.)
Quick Reference Table
| Style | In-Text Citation Example | Reference List / Bibliography Entry? |
|---|---|---|
| MLA | (Quran 5:3) | Yes. (The Qur’an. Translated by…) |
| APA | (Quran 5:3) | No (Usually). Must name translator in the text on first mention. |
| Chicago | In a footnote: 1. Quran 5:3. | No. All citation info is in the footnote. |
Citing About the Quran (A Common Mistake)
This is a super important distinction. The rules above are for citing the Quran *itself* (the primary source).
If you are reading a book by a scholar *about* the Quran, you cite it like a normal book. If you read an article analyzing the Arabic text, you cite it as a normal journal article. These are secondary sources, and they follow the standard citation rules for books, articles, etc. These secondary sources WILL appear in your reference list or bibliography.
For example, if you read a book by John Smith called An Analysis of the Quran, your APA citation would be (Smith, 2020) and your reference list entry would be: Smith, J. (2020). An Analysis of the Quran. University Press.
Don’t confuse citing a religious text with citing an analysis *of* that religious text. If you need a refresher, check out this guide to mastering citations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I use italics for the title “Quran”?
It depends on your style guide! As you can see above, MLA and Chicago style do use italics (e.g., Quran). APA style, however, does not (e.g., Quran). This is a specific rule for major religious works. The rationale is complex, but for you, the rule is simple: follow your style guide.
What is a sura and a verse?
A sura is a chapter of the Quran. There are 114 suras. A verse is a specific line or sentence within a sura. The citation “Quran 5:3” means “Sura 5, Verse 3.” This system of verse numbers is the key to finding any passage.
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Do I use Roman numerals for the sura or verse?
No. Unlike some older styles for Roman works or the Bible, modern style guides all prefer Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) for sura and verse numbers. Do not use roman numerals (I, II, V) unless your instructor specifically asks for it.
Can I just use a citation generator?
You can, but you must be careful. Many citation generator tools are built for standard books and articles. They might not know the special rules for religious works, like omitting the reference list entry in APA or Chicago. It’s a good place to start, but always double-check the output against the rules in this guide.
How is citing religious texts like the Bible different?
It’s actually very similar! Citing religious texts like the Bible or the Catechism also uses stable divisions instead of page numbers. For the Bible, you cite the book, chapter, and verse (e.g., Genesis 1:1). The principles are the same: name the religious text, then use its own numbering system to give a clear address for the passage. The MLA has a specific post on this topic, too.