The Koran is the holy text of Islam, and must be cited if you make specific reference to it in a term paper. As with many other ancient or sacred texts, there are specific rules for the citation of the Koran. The Chicago Manual of Style, American Psychological Association (APA) and the Modern Language Association (MLA) all set specific guidelines for the proper in-text citation of the Koran. If you are adhering to MLA style, you will also need to include the Koran in your reference list at the end of your paper.

  • The Koran is the holy text of Islam, and must be cited if you make specific reference to it in a term paper.

Format your citation in the following manner if you are citing the Koran according to APA format: (Title Sura:Verse). The citation should appear directly after your quotation or paraphrase. For example: The Holy Koran stipulates that adherents should worship five times a day (Koran 2:4), and most Muslims follow this directive.

If you are citing more than one verse, include all verses cited. For example: The Holy Koran stipulates that adherents should worship five times a day (Koran 2:4-6), and most Muslims follow this directive. Because the Koran is considered to be a commonly available and well-known source, you do not need to include an entry for it in your reference list.

  • If you are citing more than one verse, include all verses cited.
  • Because the Koran is considered to be a commonly available and well-known source, you do not need to include an entry for it in your reference list.

Format your citation in the following manner if you are citing the Koran according to Chicago style: Title Sura:Verse. The citation should appear in a footnote at the bottom of your paper. For example: 3. Koran 2:4

If you are citing more than one verse, include all verses cited. For example: 3. Koran 2:4-6. Again, as the Koran is considered to be a commonly available and well-known source, you do not need to include an entry for it in your bibliography.

Format your citation in the following manner if you are citing the Koran according to MLA style: Title of Sura Number of Sura:Verse. The citation should appear directly after your quotation or paraphrase. For example: The Holy Koran stipulates that adherents should worship five times a day (al-Baqarah 2:4), and most Muslims follow this directive.

  • If you are citing more than one verse, include all verses cited.
  • Format your citation in the following manner if you are citing the Koran according to MLA style: Title of Sura Number of Sura:Verse.

You must also include an entry in your reference list. Format your reference list entry as follows: Title. Name of Translator. City, State of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication. For example: Holy Koran. Trans. John Smith. Boston, MA: Harvard Press, 2009. Print.

  • You must also include an entry in your reference list.
  • City, State of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.