How do I cite the Quran in MLA?

To cite the Quran in MLA (9th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What is the MLA format for the Quran citation?

The MLA format for the Quran is: The Qur’an. Translated by Translator Name, Publisher, Year.

What does the in-text citation look like for the Quran in MLA?

In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Qur’an, 2.255)

How to Cite the Quran in MLA (9th edition)

Learn how to cite the Quran, in Arabic or in translation in MLA format (9th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

MLA Works Cited Format

Here is the standard MLA format for citing the Quran in your Works Cited page:

The Qur’an. Translated by Translator Name, Publisher, Year.

MLA Example for the Quran

A complete MLA reference for the Quran, written by hand and checked against the official MLA guidance for this source:

The Qur’an. Translated by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem, Oxford UP, 2008.

Matching in-text citation: (Qur’an, 2.255)

MLA In-Text Citation

Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:

Parenthetical

(Qur’an, 2.255)

Narrative

The Qur’an (2.255) declares...

Key MLA Formatting Rules

MLA 9 lists the edition you used under its title, italicized, with the translator after Translated by, then the publisher and year.
Separate surah and verse with a period, as MLA does for chapter and verse in all scripture, for example 2.255.
Begin the first in-text citation with the title from the Works Cited entry; later citations can give the surah and verse alone if only one translation is cited.
When you refer to the Qur’an in general in your sentences, do not italicize it; italics belong only to the title of a specific edition.

Step-by-Step Guide

Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your Quran.
Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the MLA (9th edition) template shown above.
Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
Add to your Works Cited: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match MLA requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples on this page are written by hand from the style's own published guidance and checked against it, because the general CSL styles do not encode this source's rules. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.

Metadata to collect

the translator’s name
the title of the edition as printed
the publisher and the year of the copy you used
the surah and verse numbers
the series or edition, if the translation was revised

Common metadata traps

Translations differ in wording, so a surah and verse number alone does not tell the reader which text you quote; always name the translator.
Some older European translations use a different verse numbering from the standard Cairo numbering used by Abdel Haleem, so check that your verse numbers match your edition.
Page numbers change between printings of the same translation, so cite surah and verse, never a page.

Editorial sources

MLA Style Center — works cited →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite the Quran in MLA?: To cite the Quran in MLA (9th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the MLA format for the Quran citation?: The MLA format for the Quran is: The Qur’an. Translated by Translator Name, Publisher, Year.
What does the in-text citation look like for the Quran in MLA?: In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Qur’an, 2.255)