Compilation of the Holy Quran PDF

LESSON NOTE WEEK 4. COMPILATION OF THE HOLY QUR’AN.  During the life of the holy prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), the verses of the holy Qur’an were memorized as they were revealed and scribes wrote down the verses on different materials such as leather, animal skin, stone, leaves...

LESSON NOTE WEEK 4. COMPILATION OF THE HOLY QUR’AN.  During the life of the holy prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), the verses of the holy Qur’an were memorized as they were revealed and scribes wrote down the verses on different materials such as leather, animal skin, stone, leaves and bones.  After the death of the prophet (S.A.W.) during the reign of caliph Abu Bakr (R.A.) in the battle of “Yarmuk” against the leader of Yamamah in 11AH/633CE, many memorizers of the verses of the Qur’an were killed.  Umar bin al-Khattab (R.A.) became worried and appealed to Abu Bakr (R.A.) to compile the Qur’an into a single book.  Compilation is the process of assembling or gathering together different objects or materials on which the verses were written down and from the memories of the companions of the prophet (S.A.W.) into a single book.  Abu Bakr (R.A.) assigned the project to “Zayd bin Thabit” who was the prophet’s (S.A.W.) to lead about twelve (12) companions to compile the verses of the holy Qur’an into one compilation or collection.  Zayd bin Thabit and the twelve companions came together in Umar’s (R.A.) house and collected all the materials on which verses from the Qur’an were written down from Hafsat the wife of the prophet (S.A.W.).  The verses memorized by the companions were also heard as well. Each memorizer was asked to show two witnesses each for the verses they recited.  The verses were compiled in the order, surahs and chapters that the prophet (S.A.W.) used to recite them the last time before he passed away. From surah Fatiha to Nas during the month of Ramadan. It was known to all the sahabas.  About 3,300 companions agreed that every letter of the verses were in the right place.  Then it was sent to Umar bin al-Khattab (R.A.). it was after his death that this “Book” was passed toi hazrat Hafsat the daughter of Umar (R.A.) and the wife of the holy prophet (S.A.W.) for safe keeping. FAMOUS COMPANIONS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE COMPILATION OF THE HOLY QUR’AN. i. Zayd bin Thabit. ii. Uthman bin Affan. iii. Ali bin Abi Talib. iv. Talha bin Ubaydillah. v. Abdullah bin Mas’ood. vi. Ubayy bin Ka’b. vii. Khalid bin Walid. REASONS FOR THE COMPILATION OF THE VERSES INCLUDE;  The death of the memorizers of the verses during the battle of “Yarmuk” in 11AH/633CE.  To ensure that no verse is lost or tampered with.  To ensure convenient and easy reference in accordance in accordance with the order of the order of the prophet (S.A.W.) and the command of Allah (S.W.T.) IMPORTANCE OF COMPILATION.  It acts as a symbol of unity.  It provides for uniform reading of the Qur’an for both Arab and non-Arab Muslims.  It made the Qur’an a very useful source of reference to the people who wish to research.  It brought unity of mission, action and purpose.  It facilitates the keeping and perpetuation of the message to the future generation without alteration. STANDARDIZATION OF THE HOLY QUR’AN.  Standardization is the method adopted by caliph Uthman bin Affan (R.A.) to ensure the differences in the reading and recitation of the holy Qur’an in different parts of the Muslim world is one which is acceptable in order to avoid possible corruption.  The holy Qur’an was recited by the holy prophet (S.A.W.) in seven dialects but the Quraishi dialect is preferred above all others. During the period of caliph Uthman (R.A.), problems arose amongst the Muslim community over the correct recitation of the holy Qur’an as a result of the widespread of Islam.  At that time the mixing of Muslim Arabs and non-Arabs weakened the linguistic efficiency so errors and differences in the recitation of the Qur’an became common.  The differences in the recitation led to disputes among the Muslims as to whose recitation is correct up to the extent that some Muslims don’t pray behind one another.  To ensure the uniformity in recitation and avoid the danger of division on the basis of different reading of the holy Qur’an.  Caliph Abu Bakr (R.A.) requested Hafsat to send him the “Mushab” compiled at the time of Abu Bakr (R.A.).  He appointed a committee headed by “Zayd bin Thabit” and three others in 651CE to produce copies with uniform and one acceptable way of recitation in the Muslim world.  If there was any clash of dialect or intonation, the dialect of the holy prophet (S.A.W.) i.e. Quraysh should be followed because the Qur’an was revealed in this dialect.  The standard copy of the holy Qur’an was produced by the committee and it is known as the “Uthmanic edition”.  Several copies were made and one was sent to each of the provinces.  He instructed that any future copies should be made from the “Uthmanic edition” and any other Qur’anic material should be destroyed or burnt.  It was by consensus of the sahabas of the prophet (S.A.W.) that the Qur’anic text of today is the same as the one compiled by Zayd bin Thabit and also the “Uthmanic edition” as being what they had memorized and written during the lifetime of the holy prophet (S.A.W.). Compilation and standardization did not change, add or subtract the meaning or contents of the holy Qur’an. SAHABAS INVOLVED IN THE STANDARDIZATION OF THE HOLY QUR’AN. i. Zayd bin Thabit (R.A.). ii. Abdullah bin al-Zubair (R.A.). iii. Sa’eed bin al-As (R.A.). iv. Abdur-Rahman bin Harith (R.A.). IMPORTANCE OF THE STANDARDIZATION OF THE HOLY QUR’AN.  To ensure uniformity in the recitation of the Qur’an in the Muslim world.  To avoid the danger of division among Muslims on the basis of differences in the reading and recitation of the holy Qur’an.  It clears away any ambiguity in the reading and recitation of the holy Qur’an for later generations. DISTINCTION BETWEEN COMPILATION AND STANDARDIZATION.  Compilation involves the collections of the verses written on objects into a simple volume while standardization involves the unification of the recitation and pronunciation of the holy Qur’an.  Compilation was done during the reign of caliph Abu Bakr (R.A.) on the advice of Umar (R.A.) while standardization was during the reign of Uthman (R.A.) on the advice of “Hudhaifa bin al- Yaman”.  Reason for compilation was for fear of loss of the Qur’an while standardization was for fear of disunity of the ummah. Compilation resulted in one official copy “Mushab” while standardization resulted into six (6) official copies distributed to the six provinces.  Zayd bin Thabit was the only scribe for compilation while four (4) scribes were involved in standardization. Zayd bin Thabit and three others.