2.2 Compilation of the Qur'an under the Rightly Guided Caliphs

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📖 Main Content

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1. Background: Preservation During the Lifetime of Prophet Muhammad PBUH

Before understanding how the Qur'an was compiled under the Caliphs, it is important to understand what had already been done during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

• The Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad PBUH gradually over a period of 23 years.

• As each verse or passage was revealed, Prophet Muhammad PBUH would:

  • Memorise it himself and encourage his companions to do the same.
  • Instruct scribes to write it down immediately.

• Prophet Muhammad PBUH used approximately 40 scribes to record the revelations.

• The Qur'an was written on whatever materials were available at the time, such as:

  • Flat stones
  • Leather pieces
  • Bones
  • The leafless bark of palm trees
  • Date skin

• Every year during the blessed month of Ramadan, Prophet Muhammad PBUH would recite the portions of the Qur'an revealed so far aloud in Masjid-e-Nabvi. The companions were able to listen and correct their own written copies.

• The Angel Jibril AS would also meet with Prophet Muhammad PBUH every night during Ramadan to review portions of the Qur'an, completing the full review over the course of the month.

• Prophet Muhammad PBUH arranged the Qur'an — placing each verse and Surah in its correct position — under the guidance of Allah SWT. This arrangement was not in the order of revelation but in the order Allah SWT commanded.

• Among those who had memorised the entire Qur'an, there were 37 men and 4 women who were recognised as specialists. (Note: This specific figure is not from Sahih Bukhari or Muslim and should be treated as a historical estimate.)