Compilation and Preservation of the Qur'an
Preservation During the Lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
The Qur’an was revealed over a period of years via Angel Jibril. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) memorized each revelation immediately, a process divinely aided as mentioned in Surah Al-A‘la and Surah Al-Qiyamah -. He appointed scribes, including Zaid ibn Thabit and Ubayy ibn Ka‘b, to record verses on materials such as parchment, palm leaves, bones, and stones. During his final year in (), the Prophet (PBUH) reviewed the complete Qur’an twice with Angel Jibril to ensure its final order and completeness. The revelation concluded with Surah Al-Ma’idah during the Farewell Pilgrimage.
The First Compilation Under Abu Bakr
Following the Prophet’s death in (), casualties among Huffaz at the Battle of Yamama against Musaylimah the Liar prompted Umar ibn al-Khattab to suggest a formal compilation. Caliph Abu Bakr initially hesitated but ultimately commissioned Zaid ibn Thabit to lead the project. Zaid collected the text from both written materials and oral testimonies, requiring each verse to be verified by two witnesses. This resulted in a single bound manuscript, known as the Mus’haf, which was kept by Abu Bakr, then Umar, and finally entrusted to Hafsa bint Umar, the Prophet’s widow.
Standardization and Distribution Under Uthman
As the Islamic empire expanded to regions like Armenia and Azerbaijan, Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman reported variations in recitation styles that threatened Muslim unity. In response, Caliph Uthman ibn Affan formed a committee consisting of Zaid ibn Thabit, Abdullah ibn az-Zubair, Sa’eed ibn al-‘As, and Abdur-Rahman ibn al-Harith ibn Hisham. They used the manuscript held by Hafsa to create a standardized version in the Quraysh dialect. Multiple copies were distributed to Makkah, Kufa, Basra, and Damascus, while non-standard versions were destroyed to maintain a uniform text. This Uthmanic codex serves as the definitive basis for all modern copies of the Qur’an.
Preservation During the Caliphates of Umar and Ali
During his reign, Hazrat Umar established Qur’anic schools and sent companions like Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud to teach accurate recitation across Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and Persia. Later, Hazrat Ali endorsed the Uthmanic Mushaf, clarifying that its standardization was done through collective consultation. Ali emphasized the importance of Hifz and Tafseer, promoting the Qur’an as a source of spiritual guidance and ensuring the preservation of the text through education and reflection in major cities like Kufa and Madinah.
Questions & Discussion
The following questions have appeared in IGCSE exams regarding the compilation of the Qur'an: (a) Give an account of how the Qur’an was compiled in the years following the Prophet’s Death? (b) Explain why the first community of Muslims thought it was necessary to compile the Qur’an. (b) What is the significance to Muslims today of having the Qur’an in the form of a book? (a) Write about the preservation of the Qur’an in the form of the mushaf held by Hafsa. (a) Describe the ways in which Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Uthman were involved in the compilation of the Qur’an. (b) ‘The Qur’an should not have been compiled in written form because it did not take place during the Prophet’s lifetime.’ Agree or disagree with this statement, giving reasons for your answer. (b) ‘Memorising the Qur’an is no longer important because the Qur’an is preserved as a book.’ Discuss whether you agree or disagree with this statement.