When Was the First Quran Written?
The Quran, the holy book of Islam, holds a unique place in world history. But when was the first Quran written? This is a question that has fascinated scholars, historians, and believers for centuries.
The Revelation of the Quran
The Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over a period of 23 years, beginning in 610 CE when Muhammad was 40 years old. These revelations were delivered through the Angel Gabriel and memorized by the Prophet and his followers. In its early stages, the Quran was not written down as a complete book but was preserved through oral tradition and partial writings on bones, parchment, and leather.
The First Written Compilation of the Quran
After the Prophet Muhammad’s passing in 632 CE, there was a growing concern among the early Muslim community about preserving the Quran accurately. During the caliphate of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, the first caliph of Islam, the first official effort to compile the Quran into a single written manuscript began. This crucial task was led by Zayd ibn Thabit, one of the Prophet’s chief scribes.
First Quran Compilation: Around 633 CE, under Abu Bakr’s leadership.
Process: Zayd ibn Thabit gathered verses from various materials and individuals who had memorized the Quran.
This first collection was preserved and later kept by the second caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab, and subsequently entrusted to his daughter Hafsa bint Umar.
The Standardization of the Quran
During the reign of the third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan (ruled 644–656 CE), differences in recitation styles began to emerge across the rapidly expanding Islamic empire. To protect the uniformity of the Quran, Uthman ordered the creation of a standardized version around 650 CE. Copies of this standardized text were sent to key Islamic cities, and all other versions were ordered to be burned to avoid confusion.
Thus, the first complete and standardized written Quran as we know it today was finalized during Uthman’s time, approximately 20 years after the Prophet Muhammad’s death.
Conclusion: When Was the First Quran Written?
To summarize:
610 CE: The Quran began being revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
633 CE: The first compilation of the Quranic text was completed under Caliph Abu Bakr.
650 CE: The standardized written Quran was finalized under Caliph Uthman.
Therefore, if you’re asking “When was the first Quran written?”, the earliest full compilation occurred around 633 CE, with the standardized written version finalized by 650 CE.
The Quran has remained unchanged since that time, preserved both in written form and through the memorization by millions around the world. Its authenticity and preservation are considered one of the greatest miracles in Islamic history.
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