Preservation of the Qur'an

Other ways through which Qur'an was preserved include:

• Memorization;

• ​Writing and recording;

• Compilation; and

• Standardization​

Subject | Islamic Studies

It must be kept in mind that in the early stage of Islam, Qur'an preservation was much more done through memory. The Prophet (SAW) not only committed the entire Qur'an into memory, he also encouraged his companions to memorize the Qur'an. As such, he was the first Hafiz.

The art of memorizing continues even till this present moment.

During the lifetime of the Prophet (SAW), the Qur'an was completely written down on available materials such as leather, leaves, bones, and stones under the direct supervision of the Prophet (SAW).

Zayd Ibn Thabit is quoted to have said: "We used to write the Qur'an ​on pieces of leather (Al-Riqa) in the presence of the Prophet (SAW)".

During the time of Abu Bakr as caliph, many memorizers of the Qur'an died in the battle of Yamamah. Umar then suggested that the Qur'an should be compiled. Abu Bakr assigned Zayd b. Thabit to compile the Qur'an.

The manuscript was kept with Abu Bakr then with Umar and later with Hafsah (the wife of the Prophet (SAW)). ​

With the expansion of Islamic territory to non-Arab speaking regions, the difference in the recitation of the Qur'an was noticed by Hudhayfah al-Yaman in Azerbaijan and Armenia region. He urgently reported this to Caliph Uthman b. Affan.

Caliph Uthman retrieved the Mus-haf kept with Hafsah and commissioned a committee of 4 companions to make copies of the Mus-haf. The copies were later sent to major provinces.

​The committee members are Zayd b. Thabit, Abdullah b. Zubayr, Sa'ad b. Al-Aas, and Abdul-Rahman b. Harith b. Hisham