The Quran’s preservation is one of Islam’s unique aspects, often envied by other religious traditions. However, misinformation about its history and preservation is widespread, mainly due to Western historians who lack Arabic proficiency and some individuals with malicious intent against Islam. This discussion aims to provide an accurate historical breakdown of the Quran’s preservation, from revelation to its present-day form.
The Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over 23 years, beginning with the first revelation in the Cave of Hira through Angel Gabriel. The Quran was primarily an oral text, memorized and transmitted orally, though it was also recorded on various materials like leather and wood. Several companions, known as “Writers of Revelation,” were responsible for documenting it, ensuring accuracy.
The Quran was revealed in seven different dialects (Ahruf) to accommodate the linguistic diversity of Arab tribes, making it easier for them to recite and understand. These Ahruf included slight variations in wording that enriched the meaning but did not alter the core message. For example, some words had different pronunciations or synonyms, but all were part of divine revelation. The Prophet ﷺ approved these variations, ensuring their authenticity.
After Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ death, a major battle resulted in the deaths of many Quran memorizers. Concerned about potential loss, Caliph Abu Bakr commissioned Zayd ibn Thabit to compile the written Quran into a single manuscript. This compilation was meticulously verified using witnesses and memorization as a cross-check.
During Caliph Uthman’s era, Islam expanded widely, and disputes arose among new Muslims over recitation differences. To unify the recitation, Uthman standardized a written copy based on the final revelation order given by Angel Gabriel to the Prophet ﷺ. He distributed copies of this official Quran to major Islamic centers and ordered the destruction of personal manuscripts to prevent confusion, though the original parchments remained preserved for some time.
The Quran continued to be transmitted orally, with recitation traditions (Qira’at) developing. Later, scholars like Ibn Mujahid selected seven primary recitations based on their authenticity, followed by others who expanded to ten Qira’at. These are not different Qurans but variations in pronunciation and word choice within the divinely revealed Ahruf.
The Quran’s written preservation is also evident through manuscripts like the Birmingham and Topkapi manuscripts, which match today’s Quran. The San’aa manuscript, with its lower and upper texts, confirms the accuracy of transmission, with any discrepancies being minor scribal errors, not textual corruption.
Unlike other scriptures, the Quran has remained unchanged, preserved through an unparalleled oral tradition. Today, millions memorize the Quran, and recitation chains (Ijaza) link back to the Prophet ﷺ. In Ramadan, Muslims witness this preservation as the Quran is recited globally in different Qira’at without discrepancy.
The Quran’s preservation, both oral and written, is undeniable. Even non-Muslim scholars studying its manuscripts acknowledge its authenticity. The Quran today is the same as revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and it will continue to be preserved until the end of time.
