Who wrote the Quran?
This is one of the most asked questions in the world. Who wrote the Quran? Was it written by a human? Was it compiled later? Or is it truly the word of Allah as Muslims believe?
I still remember the moment when I first stood inside a mosque and saw the Quran wrapped in a beautiful cloth and placed on a wooden shelf. There was a strange peace in the mosque. A question arose in my heart that what is this book that, despite the passage of more than fourteen hundred years, is still changing the lives of not millions but billions of people. This curiosity forced me to understand its history.
Let us understand the answer to this question in simple words.
Islamic belief. The Quran was not written by a human
According to Islamic belief, the Quran was not a book written by a human. Muslims believe that it is the word of Allah which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not write the Quran himself. Rather, revelation was revealed to him (PBUH) and he (PBUH) would recite it to his companions. The companions would also memorize it and write it down.
It is very important in Islam that Muslims do not say that the Prophet (PBUH) was the author of the Quran. Rather, they say that he (PBUH) was the Messenger of Allah to whom the Quran was revealed.
Who was Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
Muhammad was born in 570 AD in Mecca. He (PBUH) was known as “Al-Sadiq” and “Al-Amin” due to his truthfulness and trustworthiness.
Before his prophethood, he (PBUH) was not known as a poet or scholar. According to Islamic traditions, he (PBUH) did not know how to read or write.
At the age of forty, he (PBUH) used to worship and meditate in the Cave of Hira. It was there that his first revelation was revealed to him. The angel Gabriel (PBUH) came and said:
Read
This moment was going to change the course of history.
The first revelation in the Cave of Hira
The Cave of Hira is located in the mountains near Mecca. Going there, a person feels solitude and peace. This is the place where the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
After that, the Quran was revealed on various occasions for about 23 years. Sometimes in response to a question. Sometimes after an event. Sometimes to solve social problems. Sometimes for moral teachings.
How was the Quran preserved?
When the Quran was being revealed, it was preserved in two major ways.
1. Oral memorization
At that time, the Arabs had a very strong memory. They memorized long poems. The companions would memorize the verses of the Quran as soon as they heard them. Those who memorized the entire Quran were called Hafiz.
Even today, millions of Muslims around the world memorize the entire Quran orally. This is a strong means of preservation.
2. Writing in writing
Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) had several scribes who wrote down the revelation. They would write the verses on leather, bones, palm leaves and paper.
Famous scribes included:
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Zayd ibn Thabit
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Ali ibn Abi Talib
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Ubayy ibn Ka’b
The Prophet himself used to indicate which verse should be placed in which Surah. In this way, the arrangement of the Quran was gradually completed.
Who compiled the Quran into a book?
After the death of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in 632 AD, several scribes were martyred in some wars. This raised concerns that if the Quran was not compiled in one place, there might be problems.
The first Caliph Abu Bakr ordered the Quran to be compiled into a book. This responsibility was given to Hazrat Zaid bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him).
He compiled the verses written and also verified them with the scribes. Thus, the Quran was compiled into a Mushaf.
Later, during the reign of the third Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, copies of it were prepared and sent to different regions so that everyone would agree on the same reading.
The Quran that we have today is in the same order.
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Did Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) write the Quran himself?
Some non-Muslim historians are of the opinion that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) may have written the Quran himself. But Muslims do not accept this.
According to Muslims, the style of narration of the Quran is unique in Arabic literature. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was not a poet. The Quran itself challenges people to produce a Surah like it if they are in doubt.
Faith is related to certainty. Those who believe in Allah consider the Quran to be a revelation. Those who do not believe may consider it a historical document.
Ancient Quran Manuscripts
Several ancient manuscripts of the Quran from the early period are still in existence today.
One of the most famous manuscripts is the Birmingham Quran Manuscript, which research suggests is very old.
Another famous manuscript is preserved in Tashkent, which is attributed to the era of Hazrat Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him).
These manuscripts testify to the fact that the text of the Quran has been preserved for centuries.
So who wrote the Quran?
If you ask a Muslim, he will answer that the Quran is the word of Allah Almighty. Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) conveyed it. The companions memorized and wrote it down. The Rightly Guided Caliphs compiled it in the form of a book.
If you ask a researcher, he will explain the historical aspect.
But the truth is that the Quran was not written all at once. It was revealed over 23 years. It was memorized. It was written. And then it was put into book form.
The Importance of This Question
This question is not just academic. It is connected to faith, identity and history. Nearly two billion Muslims consider the Quran to be the guide of their lives.
The Quran is not just a religious book. It guides law, morality, worship and social life.
That is why this question is still important today and will continue to be important in the future.
Closing Words
Who wrote the Quran?
According to Islamic belief, it was not written by any human being. It is the word of Allah Almighty that was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Companions preserved it. The Rightly Guided Caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them) put it into book form.
Despite the passage of fourteen hundred years, the Quran is still the same today as it was revealed.
Whether one looks at it from the perspective of faith or from the perspective of history, it is a fact that the Quran is one of the most widely read and influential books in the world.
And this is its real importance.
FAQs
Who wrote the Quran first and when?
The Quran was revealed by Allah to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over 23 years, starting in 610 CE.
Which is older, the Quran or the Bible?
The Bible is older. The Old Testament was written centuries before the Quran, which was revealed in the 7th century CE.
Who wrote the Quran in written form?
The companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), guided by scribes like Zayd ibn Thabit, wrote the Quran during and after his lifetime.
Who is the creator in the Quran?
Allah (God) is described as the sole Creator of the universe in the Quran.
What country is 100% Islamic?
No country is 100% Islamic, but some countries like Saudi Arabia follow Islamic law strictly and have a majority Muslim population.
Who told Allah is God?
Muslims believe that Allah revealed Himself as the one true God through the Quran and through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
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