History and Development of the Compilation of the Qur'an
INTRODUCTION
The Qur’an is the holy book of Islam, revealed by Allah SWT through the angel Jibril. It serves as a guide, containing historical narratives, emphasising moral values, and providing teachings on life that form the basis of jurisprudence (sharia/fiqh). Additionally, it offers peace of mind and mercy to those who believe and follow its teachings. Thus, the Qur’an is the greatest miracle of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), unmatched by Arab poets of his time. Therefore, studying the Qur’an is essential as it guides humanity away from misguidance in daily life, forms the foundation of character development, structures life by explaining fundamental concepts across various aspects, and serves as a guide to achieving salvation in both this world and the hereafter.
DISCUSSION
A. History of Revelation and Compilation of the Qur’an
- The Process of Revelation
The Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gradually over approximately 23 years, beginning in the Cave of Hira in 610 CE, through the angel Jibril. Its revelation signifies a major event, establishing its status for inhabitants of the heavens and earth.
- Compilation During the Prophet’s Era
During the Prophet’s time, the revealed verses were memorised by the Companions and written on palm leaves, stone tablets, leaves, bones, and animal skins. These materials were used to document the memorised verses.
- Compilation During Abu Bakr’s Caliphate
Following the Prophet’s death, the primary advocate for compilation was Umar ibn al-Khattab, prompted by the deaths of many Quranic memorisers in battles. Caliph Abu Bakr then ordered Zaid ibn Thabit to collect the Qur’anic texts into a single manuscript to preserve their authenticity and purity.
- Standardisation During Uthman ibn Affan’s Caliphate
During Uthman ibn Affan’s caliphate, Islam spread widely across regions, leading to dialectical variations. Uthman formed a committee led by Zaid ibn Thabit to produce a standardised version as the primary reference for Muslims worldwide.
- Refinement of Diacritical Marks
Diacritical marks were refined during the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties by Abu al-Aswad al-Du’ali and Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi to ensure accurate reading by non-Arab Muslims. Initially, Arabic script lacked dots and vowel marks (such as in the letters ب, ت, ث).
B. Functions and Status of the Qur’an
- The Qur’an’s Role in Real-Life
The Qur’an holds a vital role in the lives of Muslims, serving as a guide containing teachings on morality, norms, knowledge, education, worship, and spirituality. Furthermore, it is the primary source of Islamic law (sharia and fiqh), outlining rules and values to distinguish right from wrong. Thus, studying the Qur’an is crucial for establishing a strong moral and character foundation. The Qur’an is not merely a life guide; it also provides peace of mind and mercy to believers who follow its teachings. Those who read and understand its meaning gain tranquillity and divine mercy, making it a source of motivation and remembrance for Muslims facing real-life challenges.
- The Qur’an’s Role in Morality
The Qur’an plays a significant role in shaping human morality, teaching norms for developing quality character and personality in daily life. Moral values such as honesty, responsibility, and mutual respect are emphasised. In the modern era, understanding the Qur’an’s teachings is essential due to moral crises in both physical and digital societies, leading to suboptimal social interactions and a lack of harmony. Thus, the Qur’an functions not only as a sacred text but also as a moral guide for humanity.
- The Qur’an’s Role in Science and Education
The Qur’an plays a crucial role in the development of human science and education. It contains numerous verses urging reading, thinking, understanding, and exploring natural phenomena. The first revelation, Surah Al-’Alaq (1-5), underscores reading as the foundation of knowledge acquisition. Moreover, it encourages rationality in comprehending the signs of Allah’s greatness through education and learning.
- The Qur’an’s Role in Worship and Spirituality
The Qur’an plays a vital role in the spiritual life of Muslims, containing teachings on worship practices such as prayer (salat), fasting, zakat, and other rituals.