<P> By way of literary comparison with the Bible, the Qur'an is claimed to be a recitation by Allah to the prophet Muhammed in didactic form, and so does not have the degree of genre diversity that is evidenced in the Bible; although there is a difference in style and themes between the Meccan surrahs and the Medinan surrahs when Muhammed moved from Mecca to Medina . In contrast, the Bible is claimed to be inspired by God and organically written and compiled by many authors over a very long period of time, and so takes a wide variety of forms . </P> <P> Among the generally recognized genres and categorizations of the Bible are the following (note that other systems and classifications have also been advanced): </P> <Ul> <Li> Historical narrative / epic: Genesis and the first half of Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Jonah, and possibly Acts </Li> <Li> The Law: the last half of Exodus; also Leviticus, Deuteronomy </Li> <Li> Wisdom: Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes </Li> <Li> Psalms: Psalms, Song of Solomon, Lamentations </Li> <Li> Prophecy: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi </Li> <Li> Apocalyptic: Daniel, Revelation </Li> <Li> Gospel: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and possibly Acts </Li> <Li> Epistle (letter): Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, Jude </Li> </Ul> <Li> Historical narrative / epic: Genesis and the first half of Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Jonah, and possibly Acts </Li>

What types of literature are in the bible