The correct answer is Hazrat Zaid bin Sabit (R.A). The assignment given to Hazrat Zaid bin Sabit (R.A) to compile the Holy Quran into a single volume (the Suhuf) was one of the most critical administrative and religious tasks in the... Read More
The correct answer is Hazrat Zaid bin Sabit (R.A). The assignment given to Hazrat Zaid bin Sabit (R.A) to compile the Holy Quran into a single volume (the Suhuf) was one of the most critical administrative and religious tasks in the early Caliphate. This decision was not made in a vacuum; it was a direct response to a looming crisis that threatened the preservation of the Divine Word after the passing of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).
In the year 12 A.H., during the Caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (R.A), the Muslim state faced several internal rebellions known as the Ridda (Apostasy) Wars. The most brutal of these was the Battle of Yamama against the forces of the false prophet Musaylimah al-Kadhdhab. While the Muslims were eventually victorious, the cost was staggering. Over 700 Muslims were martyred, among whom were many Qurra (memorizers of the Quran) who held the entire text in their hearts.
Hazrat Umar Farooq (R.A) recognized the danger immediately. He realized that if more battles occurred and more memorizers were lost, parts of the Quran might be lost with them. He approached Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) with the suggestion to compile the Quran into a written book. Initially, the first Caliph was hesitant, famously asking, "How can I do something that the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) did not do?" However, after deliberation, he recognized the wisdom in Umar’s concern and agreed to the project.
When it came time to choose a leader for this monumental task, the Caliph selected Hazrat Zaid bin Sabit (R.A). Though he was a young man at the time—likely in his early twenties—he was uniquely qualified for several reasons. First, he was one of the primary Katib-e-Wahi (Scribes of Revelation) who had regularly written down verses as they were revealed to the Prophet (P.B.U.H). Second, he possessed an extraordinary memory and had memorized the entire Quran during the Prophet's lifetime. Finally, Zaid had been present during the final recitation of the Quran by the Prophet (P.B.U.H) to the Angel Jibril (A.S).
Zaid bin Sabit (R.A) did not rely solely on his own memory. Despite his brilliance, he was deeply aware of the weight of this responsibility. He established a rigorous verification process. He would only accept a verse as authentic if it met two criteria: it had to be found in written form (on pieces of leather, bone, or palm leaves) that were inscribed in the presence of the Prophet (P.B.U.H), and it had to be verified by the testimony of two reliable witnesses who had heard the Prophet (P.B.U.H) recite it.
This meticulous approach ensured that every word was recorded with 100% accuracy. The final compiled version was known as the Suhuf. It remained in the custody of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) until his passing, after which it was transferred to Hazrat Umar (R.A), and eventually to Hazrat Hafsa (R.A), the daughter of Umar and widow of the Prophet (P.B.U.H). This collection served as the primary source for the standardized Mushaf produced later during the era of Hazrat Uthman (R.A).
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