The Quran is the last Holy Book of Muslims, revealed by Holy Prophet P.B.U.H and written by several As’hab (R.A) (companions of Muhammad (S.A.W)). The ayahs (verses of Quran) were written on leather and dried leaves after revelation. Even many companions of the Last Prophet P.B.U.H used to learn them by heart. Who Has Written Quran? The first ever Quran was compiled by Zayd ibn Thabit after the death of Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W), as asked by Abu Bakr (R.A).
Who was the Quran written for?
The Quran was revealed by Allah and was written for all people in the world so they can understand and practice Islam. It was compiled in the form of a book after the death of Muhammad P.B.U.H.
Islam began to expand under Khilafat of Usman R.A. Upon Hudhayfah’s request, Uthman R.A got the Quran sheets from Hafsa and had Zayd and three Meccans copy them into several volumes in the Quraysh dialect. He kept one copy in Medina and sent others to Kufa, Basra, Damascus, and possibly Mecca, then ordered all other versions to be destroyed. However, in Kufa, Ibn Mas’ud and his followers reportedly refused to comply.
Is the Quran handwritten?
The word “Qur’an” means recitation, and the first word Muhammad received, “Iqra,” means read. Despite its written form, the Quran is also considered an oral tradition due to its oral transmission.
Some passages of the Quran were written on parchment, stone, palm leaves, and camel shoulder blades, with a final version compiled into a book around 650 CE. This means that within 20 years of Muhammad’s p.b.u.h death, the complete Quran was written down as a codex. This text became the standard from which copies were made and distributed throughout Muslim urban centers, with other versions believed to have been destroyed.
Where is the first Quran ever written?
In 2015, experts from the University of Birmingham found what might be the oldest Quran manuscript in the world. Radiocarbon dating showed that it could be from between 568 and 645 AD.
The original Quran is believed to be inscribed on a preserved tablet on the Arsh (Throne) of Allah.
Some Muslims might not know that the oldest Quran copies today have only 44 suras, while modern Qurans have 114. The main way the Quran was passed down is through recitation and memorization, and this was established by the first generation of Muslims. The written codex is just a backup for the oral tradition.
Birmingham Quran manuscript:
The oldest known Quran is the “Birmingham Quran manuscript,” dating between 568 and 645 AD, within Prophet Muhammad’s lifetime. This manuscript has parts of Surahs 18 to 20, which might be because some parts were lost over time.
The script is in an older Arabic form called Hijazi, which lacks dots and marks to indicate vowel sounds. This can lead to different readings unless guided by an expert.
According to Sunni Muslim tradition, the third caliph, Uthman, compiled and standardized the Quran used today and ordered other versions to be burned. This happened more than a decade after Prophet Muhammad’s P.B.U.H death, while the Birmingham manuscript dates back to his lifetime. Despite some doubts, the Birmingham manuscript has been shown to match exactly with other Quran fragments in the National Library of France and with modern Qurans. This proves that the Quran has remained unchanged since it was written during Prophet Muhammad’s time over 1400 years ago.
Is the Quran written in the first person?
The Quran is considered as the Divine Speech. Thus, it uses first-person pronouns to direct and order the Muslims.
Why is the Quran written in plural?
Using “we” for one person has been a sign of respect throughout history. In the Holy Qur’an, God uses “we” to show His supreme power over the universe.
Surah At-Tin – 4
“٤. Indeed, We created humans in the best form.”
How was the Quran written and compiled?
The Quran’s journey began with its revelation to Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan in 610. Its preservation in its original form up to the present day is unique among holy texts.
Prophet Muhammad’s P.B.U.H companions played a vital role in the Quran’s compilation. Over his 23-year prophethood, the Quran was memorized as it was revealed, and about 42 scribes recorded the verses on materials like paper, cloth, bone, and leather. Muhammad himself was illiterate, as reading and writing were rare skills at that time.
Battle Of Yamama:
After many Quran reciters were killed in the Battle of Yamama, Caliph Abu Bakr, prompted by Umar ibn al-Khattab, decided to compile the Quran into a single book. So, the first ever Quran was compiled by a committee under Abu Bakr R.A.
He formed a team led by Zaid ibn Thabit, which included 12 notable figures like Uthman ibn Affan and Ali ibn Abi Talib. They gathered all written materials and verified the memorized verses with two witnesses each.
Mushaf:
This effort produced a single book called the “mushaf,” containing all Quranic verses as taught by the archangel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad. Saeed ibn al-Aas wrote the mushaf on gazelle skin using the Arabic script of the time. All 33,000 companions agreed on its accuracy, and the book was kept by Umar ibn al-Khattab and later by his daughter Hafsah, one of Muhammad’s wives.
Caliph Uthmans’ R.A Era:
Under Caliph Uthman, differences in Quran recitation arose during battles. Uthman formed another team led by Zaid ibn Thabit to standardize the Quran in the Quraysh dialect since Muhammad was from the Quraysh tribe. They used Hafsah’s mushaf, organized the surahs, and produced seven copies.
Old versions were destroyed to prevent disputes, leading to accusations from some Shia sects that Uthman altered the Quran. These new copies were sent to various regions, ensuring consistency.
Uthman also established schools for proper recitation and writing.
Imam Ali R.A and Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik:
Later, during Caliph Ali’s time, diacritical marks were added, and vowel marks were introduced under Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik.
Since then, countless Muslims have memorized the Quran. During Ramadan, the entire Quran is recited in Taraweeh prayers at the Kaaba, where even minor errors are noticed by knowledgeable Muslims.
Old and original Mushafs of the Quran:
Some original mushafs have survived and are displayed in places like Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, the Museum of Turkish-Islamic Arts, the Al-Hussein Mosque in Cairo, and other museums. A museum in Mecca also displays Quranic verses written on bones and stones from the seventh century.
FAQS about Who Has Written Quran:
Below are the answers to questions about who has written the Quran:
Who compiled the Quran in book form?
A: First caliph Abu Bakr ( r. 632–634) ordered the companions of Prophet P.B.U.H to compile the Quran as a book.
How many authors wrote the Quran?
A: The Quran is the book of Allah and is written in the way it was revealed. The first ever Quran authors were:
- Imam Ali (R.A)
- Zaid ibn Thabit
- Ubayy ibn ka’b
Who published the Quran?
A: The As’hab (companions) of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) published the first ever Quran as directed by Abu Bakr R.A.
How many Quran manuscripts are there?
A: There are over 60 fragments and more than 2000 folios (around 4000 pages) of Quran manuscripts that date back to before 800 CE, which is within 168 years of Prophet Muhammad’s death.
There are two main styles of Arabic script used in the Quran today. The first is called the Uthmani or Madani script, and the second is known as the IndoPak or Farsi (Persian) script. Both styles are widely used and recognized.
How many copies of the Quran have been sold?
A: According to sources, more than 800 million copies of the Quran are sold till 2015. Still, many Paras (chapters) and Surahs are also sold individually and have no selling record.
Conclusion:
The answer to the question of who has written the Quran is simple: it was revealed by Allah and written by Companions of Hazrat Muhammad P.B.U.H. From the beginning till now, there is not a single dot on the Quran that shows that it is a true book by God and Islam is a True religion.
If you are eager to learn and recite the Quran or are curious to know more about the Quran, join Tajweed Ul Quran Sessions online.