The Quran is the holy book of Islam. Muslims believe that it is the word of Allah (God) sent down to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is the most important book in the lives of Muslims around the world. But many people wonder: When was the Quran written, and who wrote it down? In this article, we will answer these questions in simple and clear language.
What is the Quran?
The Quran is the final message from Allah to all human beings. It is written in Arabic and contains guidance for every part of life. It teaches people how to be good, how to worship God, and how to live in peace with others. The Quran also tells stories of earlier prophets like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them all). Muslims believe that the Quran has never been changed and remains in its original form.
How Was the Quran Revealed?
The Quran was not revealed all at once. Instead, it was revealed slowly over 23 years, starting in the year 610 CE. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was 40 years old when the first revelation came to him. He was praying in a cave called Hira, near Makkah, when the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) came and told him the first verses of the Quran.
After that, more verses came at different times. Sometimes, the verses were sent to explain things that were happening, or to answer questions from people. These verses were sent by Allah through the Angel Jibreel to the Prophet Muhammad, who would then share them with others.
Did the Prophet Muhammad Write the Quran?
No, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not write the Quran himself. In fact, he could not read or write. He was unlettered, meaning he did not go to school or learn writing. This is important because it shows that the Quran was not made up by him—it truly came from Allah.
When he received verses from Angel Jibreel, he would memorize them immediately. He would then recite them to his followers, who would also memorize them. Many people at that time had strong memories and could remember long pieces of speech easily.
Who Wrote the Quran Down?
Although the Quran was mostly memorized, it was also written down during the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He had several companions who could write. These companions were called scribes. The Prophet would ask them to write down the verses of the Quran exactly as he received them.
They wrote on different materials like animal skins, bones, pieces of cloth, and even palm leaves. Some well-known scribes included Zayd ibn Thabit, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and Ubayy ibn Ka’b.
When Was the Quran Collected into One Book?
During the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad, the Quran was not in one single book form. It was memorized by many people and written on different items. But after the Prophet passed away in the year 632 CE, the first caliph, Abu Bakr Siddiq, worried that the Quran might be forgotten. Many people who had memorized the Quran had died in battles.
So, he asked Zayd ibn Thabit to collect all the verses of the Quran and put them into one complete book. Zayd carefully collected the verses, checking with people’s memories and the written materials. He made sure that everything was correct. This collection was kept safe.
How Was the Quran Standardized?
Later, during the rule of the third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, Islam had spread to many new places. People in different regions started reading the Quran in slightly different ways. So, Caliph Uthman decided to make one official copy of the Quran to avoid confusion.
He asked Zayd ibn Thabit again, along with others, to make perfect copies of the Quran using the dialect of the Quraysh tribe (the tribe of the Prophet). These official copies were then sent to different Islamic cities, and all other versions were removed to keep the message pure.
This step helped make sure that the Quran stayed the same in every part of the world.
How Is the Quran Preserved Today?
Today, the Quran remains exactly the same as it was over 1,400 years ago. Muslims around the world read and memorize it in Arabic, just like it was revealed. Millions of people, young and old, have memorized the entire Quran by heart. These people are called Hafiz or Hafiza.
The Quran has also been printed in many copies, translated into different languages (with explanations), and is available online and in apps. But the original Arabic text has never changed. This is one of the miracles of the Quran.
Conclusion
The Quran was revealed by Allah to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over 23 years. The Prophet did not write it himself, but he memorized it and had it written by his companions. After his death, it was collected into one book under Caliph Abu Bakr and then standardized under Caliph Uthman.
Muslims believe that the Quran is the true word of God and has remained unchanged since it was revealed. It continues to guide millions of people in every part of life. Understanding how it was written and preserved helps us respect and appreciate this holy book even more.