2-738-873 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Quran Manuscript Folio (recto), 800s. The sacred book of Islam, the Koran is believed by Muslims to be a literal transcription of the word of God, spoken in Arabic to the Prophet Muhammad (died 632). In order to convey the importance of the divine word, Arabic calligraphy—sometimes highly elaborate and embellished with gold—was used to create copies of the Koran. The text on this page recounts an argument between God and Lucifer. Proud Lucifer declares himself superior to humans because he was formed from fire, while humans were molded from clay.