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How and When was the Quran Written for Preservation of the Divine Message?
When was the Quran written? The Holy Quran was written in 650 CE under the supervision of Hazrat Uthman (RA). While the Holy Book was revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) over 23 years, starting in 610 CE, it was not written in a single manuscript. During the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) era, His companions memorized and wrote the verses on different materials such as leather, bones, and parchment. The writing of the Quran continued under the Caliph Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) and was standardized by Hazrat Uthman (RA) in 650 CE.
We recognize and follow the Quran, which was compiled in 650 CE. It has been a remarkable journey of how the Holy Quran transitioned from oral revelation to written script. It is important to explore the historical context and timeline for the preservation of the Quran’s message. At our online Quran academy, we offer various programs allowing you to learn and understand the Holy Quran.
What Year was the Quran Written?
The Quran was completely written around 650 CE in the era of Hazrat Uthman (RA). The Holy Prophet (PBUH) made sure to preserve the Holy Qur’an through two effective techniques, whether Allah Almighty revealed a whole surah, a group of verses, or a single verse.
First, many of His companions showed dedication to memorization, including those who couldn’t write. Secondly, those with the writing skills started to recite the verses as Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) recited them. Hazrat Ail Ibn Abi Talib (RA) was one of he primary scribes of the Holy Quran among the Holy Prophet’s companions.
So, when was the Quran written? Allah Almighty revealed the Holy Quran to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) over 23 years and at once on Laylat Al-Qadr. Therefore, Muslims can learn Quran easily due to the written format.
The gradual revelation started with the Holy Prophet (PBUH )’s mission at age 40 during AD 609 or 610. This revelation continued until the age of 63. The Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) recited the verse to his companions throughout the years. Moreover, His companions transcribed those verses.
What Language was the Quran Written in?
The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was a native Arab, and people living in His era spoke Arabic. Several Arab poets compiled the poems and verses. However, the language of the Holy Quran exceeded them in eloquence. This linguistic charm shows the miraculous characteristics of the Quran.
The beauty of the Quran is enhanced with the use of the Arabic language, which is capable of conveying Allah Almighty’s message in a way that other languages can’t. The Quran in English also tells that it was revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in a clear Arabic wording.
وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّمَا يُعَلِّمُهُۥ بَشَرٌ لِّسَانُ ٱلَّذِى يُلْحِدُونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْجَمِىٌّ وَهَٰذَا لِسَانٌ عَرَبِىٌّ مُّبِينٌ
“And indeed, We know that they say, ‘A human being teaches it to him.’ [But] the tongue of the one they refer to is foreign, while this is in clear Arabic.” Surah An-Nahl (16:103):
وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَٰهُ قُرْءَانًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَّقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ ءَايَٰتُهُۥٓ ءَا۬عْجَمِىٌّ وَعَرَبِىٌّ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هُدًى وَشِفَآءٌ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍ
“And if We had made it a non-Arabic Qur’an, they would have said, ‘Why are its verses not explained in detail [in our language]? Is it a foreign [recitation] and an Arab [messenger]?’ Say, ‘It is, for those who believe, a guidance and cure.’ But those who do not believe in their ears is deafness, and it is upon them blindness. Those are being called from a distant place.” Surat Fussilat (41:44):
Two primary reasons for revealing the Quran word to word are:
- Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)’s native language was Arabic.
- The unique capability of Arabic is to explain complex meanings with precision and clarity.
How Was The Qur’an Written and Protected During the Prophet Muhammad’s Time?
The Holy Quran was preserved through the written records and memorization in Hazrat Muhammad’s era. Whenever the Quran was revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), he recited it to His companions, who memorized or wrote it. Memorization was a common and authentic source for the preservation of knowledge in the Arab society. Moreover, several companions gained skills in the memorization of the Holy Book.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) had designed scribes such as Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA) and Zaid Ibn Thabit (RA). They wrote down the Quranic revelations in available materials such as palm leaves, bones, stones, and parchment. Moreover, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) guided on the placement of different verses within the surahs, like the benefits of Ayatul Kursi at the start of the Quran.
When you have explored “when was the Quran written?”, it’s important to consider the accurate preservation of the Quran during the Holy Prophet’s lifetime. The oral and written techniques ensured ideal consistency for the Quran’s preservation after revelation in the 7th century. This dual approach provided the excellent groundwork for later compilation into the book format.
How and When was the Quran Written?
The compiling process for the Quran was started in different phases, including the era of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and his caliphs. It is necessary to explore how the Quran was compiled.
During the Holy Prophet’s Lifetime
Whenever the verses were revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), they were memorized and written by scribes on different materials. Moreover, the Holy Prophet reviewed the verses with the angel Gabriel (AS) each year during Ramadan, ensuring the accurate placement and memorization, allowing Muslims to memorize Quran precisely. This means Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), under the divine guidance, established the final orders of chapters and verses.
During the Caliph Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) Era
How was the Quran written after Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)? The first caliph of Islam, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), started the formal compilation of the Quran in a single document after 632 AD. It was influenced by the Yamama Battle, where several Quran memorizers (Hafiz) were martyred.
The fear of losing the Quran portions urged Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) to set Hazrat Zahid Ibn Thabit (RA), a primary scribe, to collect all written documents and verify them with the memorized versions. The first compilation became “Suhuf”, a Quran version we are familiar with today.
Standardization Under Caliph Hazrat Uthman (RA)
The standardization of the Quran was started during Hazrat Uthman (RA )’s caliphate. Regional pronunciation and dialects resulted in slight differences in the recitations. You can start an online Qirat course to read the Quran properly.
Hazrat Uthman (RA) ordered to make copies from the Suhuf and distribute them to various Muslim regions to ensure a single authentic text for consistency and preservation. Therefore, the Uthmanic Codex is a foundation for Quranic manuscripts that are available today.
Who Wrote the Holy Quran for the First Time?
How was the Quran written? The Holy Quran was first written by many scribes appointed by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) during His era. One of the most trusted and popular scribes was Hazrat Zahid Ibn Thabit (RA). Other scribes such as Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA), Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (RA), Hazrat Ubayy Ibn Ka’b (RA), and Hazrat Muawiyah Ibn Abi Sufyan (RA).
These scribes carefully wrote all revelations upon the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The written format of the Quran allows Muslims to understand and read the Holy Book. There are also different benefits of reciting the Quran.
It is important to note that Hazrat Zaid Ibn Thabit (RA) significantly contributed to compiling the Quranic verses into a single collection based on the request of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), the first caliph. Moreover, Zaid Ibn Thabit (RA) was instrumental in proceeding with the standardized version of the Quran in the caliph Hazrat Uthman (RA).
Who wrote the Quran for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
The Quran is a holy scripture in Islam, and Muslims consider it a direct word of Allah Almighty, which was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is important to note that there is no human author for the Holy Quran in the traditional sense. However, it is known as divine revelation, which was completed in approximately 23 years. You can consider the following documentation and composition of the Quran, including the last two ayat of Surah Baqarah.
Divine Revelation
- Revelation Process: The Holy Quran was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through the Angel Gabriel (Jibril). This revelation started when Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was 40 years old and continued until his age of 63. The Quran addresses different aspects of guidance, morality, law, and faith for personal and community affairs.
- Nature of the Text: The Quran is familiar as Allah Almighty’s literal word. Moreover, it is free from error and human influence. This shows the Quran is not linked to any human authorship.
Role of Companions
- Holy Prophet’s Companions: Several of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)’s companions memorized the Holy Book during His era. This oral transmission of the Quran was important due to the lower literacy rate among the population.
- Scribes: When was the Quran written? Many companions were tasked to write down the Quranic verses with Tajweed rules as they were revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The most prominent scribes were:
- Zaid Ibn Thabit (RA): A notable scribe responsible for writing the Holy Quran during the Holy Prophet’s era. He was a key figure in ensuring an accurate record of compilation.
- Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA): The son-in-law and cousin of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), who also significantly compiled the Quran revelations.
- Ubayy Ibn Ka’b (RA): Another companion of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), popular for his recitations and Quranic knowledge.
Quran Compilation After the Prophet (PBUH)
- First Compilation: When was the Quran written? The Quran was written into a single book during the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA). This compilation started because many companions who memorized the Quran were martyred in battles. Hazrat Zaid Ibn Thabit (RA) led this effort to collect and verify all written verses with the Quran reciters and memorizers.
- Standardization: The production of a standardized version was completed under the caliph Hazrat Uthman Ibn Affan (RA). Hazrat Zaid Ibn Thabit (RA) led a team to avoid disputes and confusion in the presence of different dialects, resulting in a uniform text.
How Many Times was the Holy Quran Changed?
The Quran has not been changed since it was written in the 7th century under the supervision of Caliph Hazrat Uthman Ibn Affan (RA). He focused on the creation of a standardized version based on the original compilation during the first caliph’s era, ensuring consistency of the divine message.
Hazrat Zaid Ibn Thabit (RA) led the Hazrat Uthman (RA) team in compiling many identical copies. These copies were shared in various regions of the Islamic empire, preventing the variation in the divine message. It also ensured the removal of the variant or unofficial copies to maintain uniformity. Therefore, the Quranic text has been preserved for Muslims across the world over time. Quran tutoring has become easy with the original Quranic version.
Conclusion
When was the Quran written? It was written during 650 CE under the supervision of the third caliph, Hazrat Uthman (RA). The timeline provides valuable insights into the legacy and importance of the Quran compilation. At Mahad Al Islami Lil Banat, we offer different courses allowing you to read and understand the sacred Quranic text easily. Let’s join us today to improve your religious understanding!
FAQs
When did the writing of the Quran start?
Answer: The writing of the Holy Quran started in the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA).
When was the Quran actually written?
Answer: The Quran was actually written in 650 CE during the caliphate of Hazrat Uthman (RA).
Why was the Quran written?
Answer: The Holy Quran was written due to the arising concerns of the martyrdom of Quran memorizers in different battles.
Which is older, the Bible or the Quran?
Answer: The Bible is older than the Quran.
Has the Quran ever been changed?
Answer: No, the Holy Quran has never been changed.
Was the Quran written during the Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s Era?
Answer: Yes, companions with writing skills started to write the Quranic verses under the guidance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Who had compiled the Quran into a single book?Answer: Hazrat Zaid Ibn Thabit (RA) headed a team to compile the Quran in the caliphate of Hazrat Uthman Ibn Affan (RA).
