The Compilation of the Quran Kareem:
Introduction:
- Meaning of the word Quran Kareem.
- Root words of Quran Kareem.
- Names of the Quran.
Divine Revelation:
- Definition of Wahi
- Literacy of the Prophet Muhammad SAW
- Manner and forms of Revelation.
Process of Divine revelation:
- The beginning of revelation.
- Revelation in stages.
- Recording of revelation
- Revelation period.
Compilation of divine revelation:
- In the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW.
- In the life of the Sayyidina Abu Bakar RA
- In the life time of Sayyidina Usman RA
Introduction:
The Quran Kareem is the most widely read book in the history of mankind, a source of immense inspiration, guidance and Wisdom for millions of Muslims all over the world. It is the pivotal point of Iman, faith, and integral to the foundations of an Islamic society being the basis of its shariah, Islamic society being the basis of its shariah, Islamic legal injunction and law. As such one of the aims of Minhaj ul Quran is to ensure a continuous link remains between the body of the Islamic community, the ummah and it's heart, the Quran Kareem. It is a book not just to be read, but to be studied, understood and ultimately revered. This paper is an attempt to provide an introduction to the Quran Kareem so that Muslims and non-muslims alike can have an insight into uta complexity but also it's importance to the Quran Kareem status. The research regarding this paper is based entirely in the books, lectures and notes of Shaykh ul Islam so all credit is due to him for his unending effects. However since I have has the honor to compile this paper I take the ultimate responsibility of any mistakes that may occur in this compilation, I thus seek forgiveness from Allah SWT for any errors that may occur.
Meaning of the word "Quran Kareem":
The Quran Kareem is the literal word of Allah SWT divinely revealed to Muhammad SAW through the angel Jibrael. Before any attempt is made to describe the meanings of the word "Quran Kareem" the etymological base of the Arabic language needs a brief explanation first. The Arabic language is oke of the richest languages in the world word containing many meanings and hidden depths, which have no comparison in the English language. In order to appreciate the true meaning and understanding of a particular word a threefold inquiry has to take place, looking into the
- Etymological base of each word.
- It's grammatical category.
- It's contextual location.
Etymological aspect of each word:
Most Arabic words have a root word consisting of 3 or 4 letters. These root words for the foundation of many noun, verbs and adjectives. One root word can be responsible for a whole host of words. Any Arabic word that consists of the same 3 letters will have the same root word as it's origins. In Arabic a root word is called "Mada" meaning subject matter. Every root word has its own individual meaning and the basic meaning travel to every noun or verb that is created. Once vowel sounds of the Arabic language are instead into the root word they give a more precise and specific meaning.
Grammatical category:
Secondly every noun, verb or adjective Lao belong to a specific grammatical or composite category, which have it's own particular properties and meanings. These words carry on those characteristic and meanings in addition to the root word itself, once the original meaning of the root word is combines with the prevailing grammatical and composite characteristics of that word this is then studied in light of the context of the original matter in discussion.
Contextual location:
Once the above theo stages take place then the word in question is studied in light of the context, usage, contents and subject matter of it's placement. This will finally lead to the exact and precise meaning of the word and give a true picture of what the writer is trying to convey. One has to remember that in the context in the Quran Kareem,this is divinely revealed book of Allah SWT. As such every word can be taken to have been specially chosen for man to read and then understand as the Arabic language has an enormous breadth of vocabulary. Thus a detailed knowledge of Arabic Grammer and linguistics as well as the language itself needs to be understood before any attempt can be made to provide a comprehensive Tafseer or explanation of the Quranic verses.
Divine revelation:
The Arabic words of wahi comes from the root word Waha and is used to describe divine revelation. It has a variety of different meanings in the Arabic language, being interpreted as " a quick or divine indication" , to give or convey a message " or "gentle speech". In Islamic terminology, wahi can be precisely defined as Allah's divine message conveyed to Allah's chosen persons . The message can be conveyed openly or in a hidden and concealed manner, imparting wisdom and knowledge that is beyond the material and physical realities of man.
Description of wahi are also given in the Quran Kareem:
" So we went this inspiration to the mother of Musa".
" Remember thy Lord inspired the Angels . I'm with you".
Meaning of the word :
The Quran Kareem is the literal word of Allah SWT divinely revealed to Muhammad SAW through the angel Jibrael AS. Before any attempt is made to describe the meanings of the word "Quran Kareem" the etymological base of the Arabic language needs a brief
It is believed that the Quran Kareem enshrines the literal word of Allah SWT and that it was revealed to Muhammad SAW by angel Jibrael. With it's unique composition and style, the Quran Kareem is also considered the pre- eminent literary masterpiece of the Arabic language and one of the earliest extant Arabic literacy sources.
The words of the Quran Kareem were collected as they were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad SAW, committed to memory by the early Muslims and recorded in writing by scribes. As the Quran Kareem was being revealed, the Prophet Muhammad SAW made special arrangements to ensure that it was written down.
Quran Kareem into a single book. Compilation is the process of assembling or gathering together different objects or materials. On which the verses were written down and from the memories of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad SAW into a single book.
When was the Quran Kareem compiled:
The Prophet Muhammad SAW disseminated the Quran Kareem in a piecemeal and gradual manner 610 to 632 AD, the year in which he passed away. The evidence indicates that he recited the text and scribes wrote down what they heard.
The Quran Kareem written down by the companions of Prophet Muhammad SAW said while he recited it to them orally at the 7th century.
Who completed the compilation of the Quran Kareem:
In sunni tradition, it is believed that the first caliph Hazrat Abu Bakar ordered Zayd ibn Thabit to compile the written Quran Kareem to compile the written Quran Kareem, relying upon both textual fragments ana the memories of those who had memorized it during Muhammad's SAW lifetime, with the rasm being officially canonized under the third calliph.
Stages of the compilation of Quran Kareem:
- Stage 1: Initial collection.
- Stage 2: First compilation
- Stage 3: Standardization under Usman.
People that compiled the Quran:
Usman therefore requested the manuscript of the Quran Kareem from hafsa so he could order it to be compiled into one unified codex. He appointed a committee of four people . Zaid ibn Thabit Abdullah ibn Thabit, Abdullah ibn Zubair , Said bin Al-Aas and Abd al-Rahman al- Harith fo transcribe a master copy of the Quran Kareem.
Who compiled the Quran Kareem into chapters:
The present form of the Quran Kareem is accepted by Muslim scholars to be the original version compiled by Abu Bakar.
Facts about the Quran Kareem:
The Quran Kareem, Islam's holy book is rich with fascinating details. Some facts about the Quran Kareem is: it was revealed over 23 years, contain 114 chapters, and is believed to be the literal word of Allah SWT. The Quran Kareem emphasizes ethical guidance life after death, and the importance of prayer and charity. If also highlights the stories of previous Prophets and the consequences of good and evil.
1. Revelation over time:
The Quran Kareem was not revealed all at once, but rather gradually over 23 years to Prophet Muhammad SAW.
2. 114 chapters:
It's divided into 114 chapters, known as Surahs.
3. Belief in the literal word of Allah SWT:
Muslims believe the Quran Kareem is the literal word of Allah SWT, revealed to Prophet Muhammad SAW.
4. Ethical and moral guidance:
The Quran in provides extensive guidance in ethical behavior, moral conduct and social justice.
5. Life after death:
It emphasizes the concept of life after death and the day of judgement.
6. Emphasis on prayer and charity:
It stresses the importance of prayer, giving to charity, and doing good deeds.
7. Stories of previous Prophets:
The Quran Kareem recounts stories of previous Prophets from jewish and Christian traditions, like Ibrahim Moses, and Jesus, emphasizing their messages of monotheism.
8. Consequences of actions:
It details the consequences of both good and bad actions, both in this life and the afterlife.
9. Not in chronological orders:
The chapters are not arranged in the order they were revealed, nor are they strictly chronological.
10. A guide for all humanity:
The Quran Kareem us presented as a message for all of humanity, not just Muslims, and encourages reflection and contemplation.
Writer of the Quran Kareem:
Muslims believe that the Quran Kareem was revealed by Allah SWT to the Prophet Muhammad SAW through the angel Jibrael who was illiterate then conveyed these revelation to hua companions, who memorized and wrote them down. These written accounts were later compiled into the Quran Kareem as a book after Muhammad's death.
Divine revelation:
Muslims believe the Quran Kareem is the literal word of Allah SWT and was revealed to Muhammad SAW not written by hum.
Angel Jibreel:
The angel Jibrael us believed to have meditated the revelations to Muhammad SAW.
Oral tradition:
The Quran Kareem was revealed incrementally over 23 years, and Muhammad SAW would recite these revelations, which were the memorized by this companion.
Scribes:
While Muhammad SAW was illiterate, his companions acted as scribes, writing down the revelation as they were revealed.
Compilation:
After Muhammad's SAW death, the Quran Kareem was compiled into a single book by his companions, who had written or memorized parts of it.
Importance of compilation of the Quran Kareem:
Preservation of revelation: The primary purpose of compilation was to preserve the divine revelations received by Prophet Muhammad SAW for future generations. By compiling the Quran Kareem into a single manuscript, the risk of alterations or omission was minimized ensuring it's authenticity.
The compilation of the Quran Kareem holds great significance in the preservation, transmission, and understanding of Islam. Here’s a detailed explanation of its importance:
1. Preservation of the Divine Message
The Quran is the literal word of Allah, revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over 23 years.
Initially memorized and written on scattered materials (bones, leather, palm leaves).
Compilation ensured that nothing was lost, altered, or forgotten after the Prophet’s ﷺ passing.
2. Preventing Alteration or Distortion
During the time of Abu Bakr (RA), many Huffaz (memorizers) were martyred in the Battle of Yamama.
Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) feared the Quran might be lost, so he urged its compilation.
This step was critical in ensuring the Quran remained unaltered, authentic, and uniform.
3. Standardization During Uthman’s (RA) Caliphate
As Islam spread, differences in recitation styles emerged in non-Arab regions.
Uthman (RA) ordered the Quran to be copied in the Qurayshi dialect and distributed standardized copies across the Muslim world.
This prevented disputes and confusion regarding its recitation and pronunciation.
4. Facilitating Learning and Memorization
A compiled, written copy made it easier for Muslims to learn, teach, and memorize the Quran.
Ensured that Islamic education had a reliable and fixed reference.
5. Guiding Generations of Muslims
The Quran is the foundation of Islamic law, morality, and belief.
Its compilation made it accessible for future generations, preserving the teachings of Islam in their original form.
6. Unifying the Muslim Ummah
A single, universally accepted text helped maintain unity among Muslims.
It became a source of spiritual, legal, and social guidance throughout the centuries.
Reason Importance
Preservation Safeguards Allah’s final revelation
Accuracy Prevents human error or loss
Education Enables structured learning
Unity Promotes uniformity in belief and practice
Legacy Ensures guidance for all times
Who completed the compilation of the Quran Kareem:
In sunni tradition, it is believed that the first caliph Abu Bakar ordered by Zayd ibn Thabit to compile the written Quran Kareem, relying upon both textual fragments and the memories of those who has memorized it during Muhammad's SAW lifetime, with the rasm being officially canonized under the third caliph.
How did long the compilation of the Quran Kareem take:
Muslims believe the Quran Kareem was orally revealed by Allah SWT to the final Islamic Prophet Muhammad SAW through the angel Jibrael incrementally over a period of some 23 years, beginning on the Laylat up Qade when Muhammad SAW was 40, and concluding in 632, the year of his death.
Why was the Quran Kareem compiled in tha order:
The third opinion says that some chapters were arranged divinely by the Prophet Muhammad SAW while some others were arranged based on the companions effort. This is the preferred view of most scholars.
History of compilation of the Quran Kareem:
The process of the compilation of the Quran Kareem happened under the supervision for Zaid bin Thabit (RA) . He collected material that contained Quranic verses beside writing down the verses from Muslims who retained some verses.
The compilation of the Qur'an—Islam's holy book—occurred in several key stages, beginning during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad and continuing after his death. Here's a historical overview:
1. During the Lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (570–632 CE)
Revelation:
The Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad over 23 years (610–632 CE) via the Angel Jibril (Gabriel).
It was revealed orally, often in response to specific events or questions.
Preservation:
The Prophet's companions memorized the verses (oral tradition was strong in Arabia).
Verses were also written down on materials like:
- Palm leaves
- Bones
- Leather
- Stone
Scribes (notably Zayd ibn Thabit) wrote under Muhammad’s supervision.
However, the Qur'an was not compiled into a single book during his lifetime.
2. Compilation under Abu Bakr (632–634 CE)
Context:
After Muhammad’s death, many Qur’an memorizers died in the Battle of Yamama (633 CE).
This raised concerns about losing parts of the Qur’an.
Action:
Caliph Abu Bakr, on the advice of Umar ibn al-Khattab, commissioned Zayd ibn Thabit to collect all verses.
Zayd gathered verses from:
Written materials
Verified memorizers (with strict cross-verification)
Result:
The Qur’an was compiled into a single manuscript (Mushaf).
It was kept with Abu Bakr, then Umar, and later with Hafsa bint Umar (Umar’s daughter and Prophet’s wife).
3. Standardization under Uthman ibn Affan (r. 644–656 CE)
Context:
As Islam spread, regional dialects and readings led to differences in Qur’anic recitation.
Concern arose about disunity and possible errors.
Action:
Caliph Uthman ordered a standardized copy of the Qur’an in the Qurayshi dialect (Prophet’s dialect).
Again, Zayd ibn Thabit led a team to produce the official copy using Hafsa’s manuscript.
Multiple copies of this standardized Qur’an were made and sent to major cities (e.g., Kufa, Basra, Damascus).
Result:
All other non-standard copies or fragments were burned to preserve unity.
This version is called the Uthmanic codex and forms the basis of all modern Qur’ans.
Later Developments
Diacritical Marks:
Initially, the Qur’an had no vowel marks (dots or accents).
As non-Arabs embraced Islam, scholars like Abu al-Aswad al-Du'ali added:
Dots to differentiate letters.
Vowel marks (harakat) to aid pronunciation.
This occurred mainly during the Umayyad Caliphate (661–750 CE).
Preservation and Legacy
Today’s Qur’an is based on the Uthmanic codex, preserved through:
Written manuscripts
Oral transmission (Hifz)
Despite regional differences in recitation styles (qira’at), the text remains unchanged.
Pages in the Quran Kareem:
The Quran Kareem typically has 604 pages in it's standard Arabic format. This standardized layout is often referred to as the Madani Mushaf . While the total page count remains consistent the number of pages can vary slightly in English translations or other versions due to factors like font size, layout and the inclusion of commentary.
- Standard Arabic: 604 pages
- Division into Juz: The Quran Kareem ja divided into 3 equal parts called Juz or Para, with each containing approximately 20 pages
- Variations in translations: English translations and other versions can have a different numbers of pages due to translation style, font size, and introduction, footnotes and commentaries.
Who proposed tha compilation of the Quran Kareem:
The initial idea to compile the Quran Kareem into a single volume is Attributed to Umar ibn al-Khattab who suggested it to Abu Bakar after the battle of Yamana where many Huffaz were killed. Abu Bakar then entrusted the task of compiling the Quran Kareem to Zaid ibn Thabit . Later, during the caliphate of Usman ibn affan, a committe was formed to create multiple standardized copies from the initial compilation to address variations in recitation.
Compilation of Quran Kareem, history, stages, purposes, importance:
The compilation of the Quran Kareem was one of the crucial matters that focused the companions minds after it's revelation. They believed in each verse Allah SWT revealed to the Prophet Muhammad SAW and realized the Quran Kareem is the ultimate guide of Muslims.
Allah SWT did not send down the Quran Kareem all at once. Revelation's period was 23 years. He sent down the verses from one time to another for many purposes centered around Islam teachings.
The compilation of the Quran Kareem, undertaken in the wake of it's revelation, became a pivotal concern for the companions of Prophet Muhammad SAW. Spanning over a period of 23 years, Allah SWT doe various proposes central to Islamic teachings. Notably, the Quran's preservation was divinely ordained.
The history of the Quran's compilation began after the Yamama battle in 632 AD , where many Quranic memorizes were martyred, raising concerns about the potential loss of Quranic text. Initiated by Umar ibn al-Khattab and executed under the supervision of Abu Bakar the compilation aimed to safeguard the Quran Kareem from errors and loss. Comprising various stages, including authenticating Quranic verses and meticulous proofreading the process culminated in the compilation of the Quran Kareem during Abu Bakar 's reign supervised by scribes Zaid ibn Thabit.
Subsequent caliphates including that if Usman bin Affan, witnessed further refinement to the Quran's competition, particularly, to address linguistic variations among newly converted Muslims. Under Usman's reign, a committee of esteemed companion, including Zaid ibn Thabit, standardized the Quran's script and pronunciation, ensuring it's uniformity across the expanding Muslim empire. This meticulous process, spanning generations of dedicated scribes and companions, resulted in the preservation of the Quran Kareem in it's original form, laying the foundation for Quranic learning and recitation to to flourish world-wide.
History is the compilation of the Quran Kareem:
After the Yamama battle, in 632 AD, many companions who retained the Quranic were martyred.
Therefore, there were concerns about losing Quranic text, which promoted the compilation of the Quran Kareem to preserve it from loss and errors.
Umar ibn al-Khattab had the idea of compiling the Quran Kareem. He suggested it to Abu Bakar, who was the caliph of the Muslims, after prophet Muhammad SAW death.
Hazrat Abu Bakar had not witnessed the compilation of the Quran Kareem at the time of Prophet Muhammad SAW so he did not accept the idea in the beginning then he tasked the scribe Zaid ibn Thabit to compile the Quran Kareem portions
In the beginning the companions wanted to authenticate the Quran Kareem verses before collecting them. So, they started to check our the Quranic texts.
Each of the companions had to make sure they were free of errors and proofread the mistakes.
Stages of the compilation of the Quran Kareem:
The compilation of the Quran Kareem started at many stages from the time of Prophet Muhammad SAW and beyond:
1. Writing the revealed verses at the time of Prophet Muhammad SAW:
The factor that helped the companions to compile the Quran Kareem was writing down each verse and surah that Allah SWT revealed on different materials such as stones, papers, palm leaves and pieces of leather.
On the other side, the companions had a strong memory that helped him to retain many Quranic verses.
Several scribes of companions contributes to writing down the Quran Kareem as Zaid ibn Thabit, RA during the lifetime of prophet Muhammad SAW.
2. Compiling the Quran Kareem in the reign of Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddique:
Killing hundreds of companions who memorized the Quran Kareem in the Yamama battle id the main reason behind compiling the Quran Kareem, which happened in the region of the caliph of Hazrat Abu Bakar.
The process of the compilation of the Quran Kareem happened under the supervision of Zaid ibn Thabit RA.
He collected materials that contained Quranic verses besides writing down the verses from Muslims who retained some verses. The purpose of compiling the Quran Kareem is to collect all the surahs after proofreading all the verses.
Until his death, Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab kept the collected Quran Kareem. Then hua daughter Hafsa kept it. She was one of the most prominent contributors for compiling the Quran Kareem during her father's reign.
3. Compiling the Quran Kareem during the reign of Usman bin Affan:
Compiling the Quran Kareem did not pause in the reign of Hazrat Abu Bakar and Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab. It resumed and updates during the reign of Usman bin Affan.
This period was a different stage of compiling the Quran Kareem. It witnessed the spread of Islamic conquests that expanded the Islamic state. This expansion led to new Muslims speaking different languages and dialects.
Non-Arabic Muslims would recite the Quran Kareem with mistakes in pronunciation due to their non-Native Arabic tongue. This difference resulted in a conflict between new Muslims. It prompted Usman bin Affan to standardize the Quran Kareem and compile it into one book in more clearer way to suit the new expansion and the needs at that time.
He asked for sending the Quran Kareem scriptures from Hafsa . Then he ordered to copy the Quran Kareem in several Mushafs.
The companions who were charged in this process were: Zaid ibn Thabit، Abdullah bin Al- Zubair, Saeed ibn Alas and Abdul Rehman bin Hateth . They ensured the authenticity of the material by cross referencing it with the memories of the Prophet's companions who had memorized the Quran Kareem in it's entirely.
The compilation was conducted with great care and precision, ensuring that each verse was organized according to Kya revealed order. The standardized script used was the Quraishi dialect of the Arabic language, the dialect in which the Quran Kareem was originally revealed.
Once the compilation was complete, multiple copies of the standardized Quran Kareem were made and sent to major Muslim centres across the expanding Islamic empire. These copies serves as authoritative references for recitation ensuring the preservation of the Quran Kareem throughout the Muslim world.
Usman ibn affan ended the conflict between the no -Arab Muslims by copying Usman Mushaf into several ones and spreading them across the countries.
Importance compilation of the Quran Kareem in the time of Hazrat Usman:
The compilation of the Quran Kareem during the time of Hazrat Usman is an important event in Islamic history. Hazrat Usman was the third caliph of Islam, ruling from 644 to 656 CE. His caliphate witnessed the rapid expansion of the Muslim empire and an increasing number of non-Arab Muslims.
Hazrat Usman took the initiative to compile a standardized version. He appointed a committee of skilled scribes, headed by Zaid ibn Thabit, a close companion of the Prophet Muhammad and one of the primary scribes of the revelations during his lifetime.
Hazrat Usman's compilation played a crucial role in preserving the Quran Kareem in it's original form and discrepancies, ensuring that Muslims had access to a consistent and authentic version of the Quran Kareem regardless of their geographical location. This compilation became the basis for the preservation of the Quran Kareem for generations to come.
Importance of compilation of the Quran Kareem:
There are many important factors in the compilation of the Quran Kareem.
- The Quran Kareem became the major source of religion, and the compilation saves Muslims from misguidance.
- Saving the Quran Kareem from any form of distortion.
- Compiling was one of the main reasons for the unification of Muslims around the Quran Kareem.
How was the Quran Kareem revealed:
When Allah SWT revealed the Quran Kareem in the beginning to the Prophet Muhammad SAW, angel Jibrael transmitted the verses to the messenger.
Angel Jibreel recited the verses to Prophet Muhammad SAW and taught him how to recite then properly.
Quran's revelation was not only through the angel Jibrael. Allah SWT sent it down in the form of a dream. Prophet Muhammad SAW dreamed of entering the Holy mosque with his companions.
Prophet Muhammad SAW dream came true. Allah SWT said:
" Certainly Allah paak has fulfilled his Apostle's vision in all truth: You will surely entered the sacred mosque, God willing, in safety and without fear with your heads shaven or hair cropped. So he knew what you did not know, and he assigned besides that a victory near at hand.
Difference between compilation and standardization of the Quran Kareem:
There were differences between compilation and standardization. The main difference between compilation and standardization is the time of the stage. You can excel between in the following variations.
Compilation of the Quran Kareem:
- The compilation of the Quran Kareem occured in the reign of Abu Bakar. It was suggested by Hazrat Umar bin Al- Khattab.
- The major process of compilation was collecting all the written parts of the Quran Kareem to save the verses from loss.
- The compilation of the Quran Kareem was to collect Quranic portions that were written under the instructions of the Prophet Muhammad SAW in a single volume.
- Zaid bin Thabit RA was in charge of compiling the Quran Kareem by order of Hazrat Abu Bakar.
Standardization of the Quran Kareem:
- Standardization of the Quran Kareem was in the reign of Usman bin Affan RA. It was recommended by Huzaifa bin Al-Yaman RA.
- The process of standardization was pronunciation based consolidation. It led to generate six copies of the Quran Kareem.
- Four scribes of the Quran Kareem of companions were revelation for standardization. They were Zaid ibn, Said ibn Aas, Abdullah ibn Zubair and Abdul Rehman ibn Thabit.
Has the Quran Kareem been changed during compilation:
The Quran Kareem that was gathered at the time of Hazrat Abu Bakar was the collection of the revelation that was written under the instructions of the Prophet Muhammad SAW himself. The Standardization at the time of Usman was just copying what existed in the originally written objects producing several copies and spreading them across the empire. So everything is just a reflection of the original revelation.
The Quran Kareem has not been changed across the time of compilation across the time of compilation, the process was rather to ensure that everything is going fine:
- The Quranic texts we find at present are the same since the revelation of the Quran Kareem over 1400 years ago without an increase, shortage or even a misrepresentation of words.
- Protecting the Quran Kareem from a dissertation is proof of Allah's promise in the Quran Kareem who have sent down the reminder and indeed it is us who shall preserve it.
Hadith about the compilation of the Quran Kareem:
When the memorizes of the Quran Kareem were martyred in the Al- Yamama battle, Abu Bakar said to Zaid ibn Thabit:
"You should search for the fragmentary scripts of the Quran Kareem and collect them to compile the Quran Kareem.
Zaid ibn Thabit explained his role in compiling the Quran Kareem,as he said
" So I started compiling the Quran Kareem by collecting it from the leafless stalks of the date- palm tree and the pieces of leather and hides and the stones and from the Chests of men."
Importance of the compilation of the Quran Kareem:
The Quran Kareem emerged as the primary religious text, and the compilation prevented Muslims from being misled and prevented and distortion of the Quran Kareem. One of the primary causes of Muslims solidarity around the world was the compilation of the Quran Kareem. The Quran's collection is significant because it upholds the veracity of Allah's message to humanity. Additionally, if aided Muslims in learning the Quran Kareem and maintaining their unity around it. This was significant since the Quran Kareem was kept faithful to it's initial revelation during the compiling process.
Furthermore when those who memorized the verses passed away, the compilation kept them alive. Moreover, the collection served to bring Muslims together around the Quran Kareem. Subsequently the collection made learning the Quran Kareem easier for generations to come.
A historical overview of the compilation and editing of the Quran Kareem:
About 1400 years ago, Prophet Muhammad SAW received of the Quran Kareem. But by that time, it was not legitimate book. By then, the current version of the Quran Kareem has not been adequately assembled. Regarding remembering the Quran Kareem the Arabs depended on their excellent memory. Many people possessed the Hifz Quran Kareem, which they had firmly committed to memory. The three primary phases of the Quran Kareem's composition are :
- In the life of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.
- In the reign of Hazrat Abu Bakar.
- I'm the reign of Usman bin Affan.
Stages of compilation:
Initial stage( in the life of the Prophet Muhammad SAW):
During the Prophet Muhammad's SAW lifetime, the complete Quran Kareem was revealed. It was not only made public this period, but it was also documented. When Allah SWT revealed a verse, the Holy Prophet would counsel his scribes to record the revelation. The Quran Kareem passages were inscribed on various material, including papers, stones, leather pieces, camel shoulder blades and palm fronds.
The Quran Kareem verses were revealed by the demands of the day. However, they do no appear in the revelation sequence. Every time a verse was revealed, the appropriate surah to place it in was also suggested. Thus , Allah SWT even revealed the order in which the verses were placed. The scribes followed instructions and arranged each verses in the same order. One of the most well known scribes of the Quran Kareem was Hazrat Zaid bin Thabit. The fact that Zayd saw the "final review" between the Prophet Muhammad SAW and the angel Jibrael is a second qualification that accidents frequently cites.
Throughout the month of Ramadan, the Prophet Muhammad SAW would examine the entire Quran Kareem with angel Jibrael every year. In the final year of his life, he did It twice.
According to Al-Baghawi:
" It is said that Zayd bin Thabit atrendes the final review in which it was clarified what was abrogated and what remained. Abu Abdul Rehman Al Sulami said, Zayd recite the Quran Kareem twice to the Prophet Muhammad SAW during the year in which he passed away, and this recitation is called the reading of Zayd because he transcribed it for the Prophet Muhammad SAW and recited it to him and witnessed al-arda al-akhira and he taught it's recitation to people until he passed away. That is why Abu Bakar and Umar relied upon him in it's compilation and Usman appointed him in charge of writing the Mushafs -may God be pleased with then all."
The battle of Yamama (a turning point in the compilation):
One of the compilation pivotal moments was the battle of Yamama. As previously said, the Arabs had an extremely vivid recall. The Quran Kareem was collected into a book based on their vivid recollections. The reason for this is that many people had the Hifz Quran. No one ever felt the necessity for the compilation of the Quran Kareem because of their excellent recall. However, in 632 A.D. Yamama, hundreds of the Holy Prophet's companions who had Hifz Quran Kareem were martyred because of how intense this struggle was. The Quran Kareem was in danger of being lost as a result.
Processing stage( in the reign of Abu Bakar):
Very few people still had the Hifz Quran Kareem after the battle of Yamama. Hazrat Umar bin Khattab grew concerned that a significant amount of the Quran Kareem would be Lost if things stayed the same or worsened. He told the then -Calliph, Hazrat Abu Bakar, about his concerns and requested that he gather the Quran Kareem into a legitimate book. He was initially disagreed with by Abu Bakar . Since the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW did not collect the Quran Kareem during his lifetime, he claimed he was unable to do anything of that nature. Nevertheless, he consented after being convinced by Umar ibn al-Khattab, who gave him instructions to gather the Quran Kareem into a book.
According to the well known story of Zayd ibn Thabit RA which is reported in Sahih Bukhari, about his participation in Abu Bakar's compilation, Abu Bakar was doing a task that had never been done before in the prophet's lifetime. " How can you do something that the messenger of Allah SWT did not do ?" Abu Bakar asks when the notion is presented to him in this narrative.Abu Bakar's inquiry would be illogical if other companions had already attempted such a compilation during the Prophet's lifetime.
Therefore, Hazrat zaid ibn Thabit took over as the compilation's manager. He was instructed to gather the Quran Kareem and put it all together in one volume. He was initially reluctant to perform something that the Prophet Muhammad SAW had never done. However he was prepares to do if after being informed of the entire circumstance. The compilation procedure then started. He gathered all of the written verses from the materials on which they were written. He also paid attention to those who had the Hifz Quran Kareem.
The Quran Kareem assembled into single book in this manner. Umar ibn al-Khattab officially held the assembled version. After hua death, the Quran's volume was given to his daughter Hazrat Hafsah. This marked the conclusion of the second stage of the Quran's composition.
" Abu Bakar's goal was together the Quran Kareem with all of it's ahruf and how it was revealed, which are based on the dialect of Quraish and other's, according to the Hadith scholar Badr al-Din al- Ayni. But Usman wanted to sperate the Qurayshite vernacular from those interpretations.
Final stage(in the reign of Usman bin Affan):
The Islamic federation had a board distribution till the reign of Hazrat Usman. Is also covered regions that were not even Arabic. Those individuals did not speak Arabic as their first language. The issue of dialects became widespread when Islamic spread to areas where no local speakers lived. Because various people pronounced words differently people began to argue by accusing one another of mispronouncing words. Hazrat Usman was concerned that the disputes would worsen and split the Muslims when he learned about the recitation disputes
Hw acted right away and requested the authentic Quranic volume from Hazrat Hafsah. Thabit RA was also a key figure in the compilations of Usman and Abu Bakar. " The Quran Kareem was not yet gathered, ND the Messenger of Allah SWT died, Zayd stated. It was inscribed on palm leaves, stalk trunks and branches. There is a proof in other narratives that the Prophet Muhammad SAW ordered the verses in each chapter to be compiled. " We compiled the Quran Kareem from parchment with the messenger of Allah SWT, Hazrat zaid states, Moreover, Al-Bayhaqi said , " It appears that he intends this to be a compilation of why was revealed from the book, the verses scattered it's chapter, and gathering them together based on instructions from the Prophet Muhammad SAW."
According to Gregor Schoeler, " the traditional reports about the state of the Quran Kareem at the time of the Prophet Muhammad's SAW death are not unbelievable if one assumes that part of it- perhaps the greater part of it -had already been written down in sheets of the same format and material, while another, and possibly smaller, part had not yet committed to writing in this form. This latter part, perhaps consisting of the more recent revelations, may have been written on disparate materials and not yet been transferred to sheets of the same format."
Therefore the committee in charge of transcribing the Quran Kareem in a particular dialect was headed by Hazrat zaid bin sabit. Lastly, Muslims worldwide were instructed to speak with a Quraish accent. This is because the Quraish accent was used when the Holy Quran was revealed. The original copy of the Quran Kareem was returned to Hazrat Hafsa after the duplicates were created. All of the Islamic states province received these copies. All other copies of the Quran Kareem were to be destroyed or replaced with the updated version. This prevented the Muslim community from becoming split among groups.
Ibn Al tin and others have said: the difference between Abu Bakar's compilation and Usman is that Abu Bakar compiled the Quran Kareem out of fear that part of it might be Lost with the loss of those who had memorized It, as it was not collected in one place. So, he gathered it into parchments, arranging the verses of it's surahs as the Prophet Muhammad SAW has directed.
Conclusion:
Since the say of it's revelation, not a single word in the Quran Kareem has changed. Every safety measure was used in the compilation of the Quran Kareem without making any changes to it. But by 1400 years ago, the Quran Kareem current edition was incorrectly assembled. To assist them in remembering the Quran Kareem, the Arabs depended in their exceptional memory. Many people had the Hifz Quran Kareem and we're committed to memorizing it. The primary phases of the Holy Quran's compilation occured occured during the Prophet's lifetime, Abu Bakar's rule, and Usman bin Affan.