History and importance of Quran

Q1a. How was Quran compiled after the death of Holy Prophet (SAW)./10

Or Q1a. Write an account of the compilation of Quran during the time of Rightly guided caliphs./10   Length :250-300 words (Knowledge)

Ans. Quran , the divine word of Allah revealed on Holy Prophet (SAW) within a period of 23 years. It is a book on which there is no doubt. It is guidance for the pious. Till the death of Prophet (SAW), Quran was in a scriptural form but not in a book form. It was written on scattered pieces like bone tablets, leaves, leather. Tree bark etc. During the second year after Prophet’s (SAW) death and following the battle of Yamama, in which approximately 600 memorizers of Quran were martyred. Hazrat Umar feared that if these memorizers of Quran will die out of natural death or due to martyrdom in betails , the future Muslims will have no copy of Quran with them. He therefore went to the first caliph Abu Bakr (RA) and persuaded him to compile the Quran. Hazrat Abu Bakr was reluctant in the beginning and said how can I do a task that was not done in the lifetime of Holy Prophet (SAW). However with Hazrat Umar’s persuasion he got convinced and finally agreed to compile the Quran. He called for Zayd bin Thabit, chief secretary of Prophet (SAW) to head a group collecting the Quran from all manuscripts, varifyin their authenticity. Zayd bin Thabit said , it would easier for me to carry the mountain on my shoulders than to carry this uphill task. Finally Zayd agreed realizing its importance for the upcoming generation. Zayd compiled the Quran along with his committee of memorizers, he did not rely on his own memory but match it with the scattered pieces and finally a A copy of Quran was made. It was given to Abu Bakr (RA) who was on his deathbed, he gave his authorized copy to Hazrat Umar who in his final days pass it on to his daughter Hazrat Hafsa, Prophet’s (SAW) widow for safekeeping. This copy came to be known as Mashaf-e Hafsa.

During the caliphate of Hazrat Uthman, Islamic empire expanded far and wide. Many Arab and non Arab nationalities came into the fold of Islam. It was noticed by Huzayfa bin al Yaman on returning from battles in Azerbaijan that people are reading the Quran in different dialects. He alerted Hazrat Uthman about this and said, "Quick! Help the Muslims before they differ about their text like the Jews and the Christians differed about their scriptures.”Hazrat Uthman took immediate action consulting the close companions of Prophet (SAW) and appointed an editorial committee to make a copy of Quran from the one which was in the custody of Hazrat Hafsa.. The committee was headed by Zayd bin Thabit and assisted by Abdullah bin Zubair, Saad bin al Harith and others. Hazrat Zayd requested Hazrat Hafsa for the original copy and copied it meticulously and returned it to her after the completion of the task. Four copies were made to be send to each part. This prevented the possibility of different versions evolving over time. Hazrat Uthman also ordered to write the Quran in the Quraish dialect in which Quran was revealed on Prophet (SAW). The prepared copies were read loudly from the mosque of Prophet (SAW) so that if anyone has any doubt in their mind it could be removed. For this great task Hazrat Uthman was given the title of Jami ul Quran. Hazrat Uthman also ordered for burning of the unauthentic copies of Quran so that they do not create any doubts in the mind s of Muslims.