The correct answer is Hazrat Umar (R.A.). The transition of the Holy Quran from an oral tradition and scattered written fragments into a unified "Mushaf" (manuscript) is one of the most critical chapters in early Islamic history. While the Prophet... Read More
The correct answer is Hazrat Umar (R.A.). The transition of the Holy Quran from an oral tradition and scattered written fragments into a unified "Mushaf" (manuscript) is one of the most critical chapters in early Islamic history. While the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had designated specific scribes to record revelations on various materials like parchment, leather, and shoulder blades of camels, the verses were not bound into a single volume during his lifetime. The catalyst for this monumental change came shortly after his passing, during the Caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.).
In 11 A.H. (632 C.E.), the fledgling Islamic state faced the Ridda Wars (Wars of Apostasy). The most significant of these was the Battle of Yamama, fought against the forces of Musaylimah al-Khadhab. While the Muslims were eventually victorious, the cost was heavy. Among the martyrs were approximately 70 Huffaz (those who had memorized the entire Quran).
Hazrat Umar (R.A.) witnessed this loss with profound concern. He realized that the oral preservation of the Quran was vulnerable; if the remaining memorizers were to fall in future battles, the divine text could be lost or altered. He approached the first Caliph, Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.), with a revolutionary proposal: to collect all the scattered pieces of the Quran and compile them into one official book.
Initially, Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) was hesitant. His primary concern was a matter of religious precedent; he questioned how he could authorize an action that the Prophet (PBUH) himself had not performed during his mission. However, Hazrat Umar (R.A.) argued from a position of "Maslaha" (public interest), insisting that this was essential for the survival of the faith. He famously stated, "By Allah, this is a good thing." After much reflection, Abu Bakr (R.A.) felt his heart open to the idea and recognized the strategic necessity of Umar’s vision.
To carry out this delicate task, they turned to Zaid bin Thabit (R.A.), who had served as the Prophet’s primary scribe. Zaid was known for his youth, intelligence, and impeccable memory. When first tasked with the project, Zaid expressed a similar hesitation to the Caliph’s, famously remarking that shifting a mountain would have been easier than the responsibility of collecting the Quran.
Under the guidance of the proposal initiated by Hazrat Umar (R.A.), a rigorous methodology was established. Zaid did not rely solely on his own memory. He required two witnesses for every written verse to prove it was written in the presence of the Prophet (PBUH). This meticulous cross-referencing between oral testimony and written fragments ensured the absolute authenticity of the compilation.
This first compiled version, known as the Suhuf, was kept in the custody of Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.), then passed to Hazrat Umar (R.A.) during his Caliphate, and eventually to his daughter, Hazrat Hafsah (R.A.). The foresight of Hazrat Umar (R.A.) in proposing this task prevented the fragmentation of the scripture and provided the foundational text that Hazrat Usman (R.A.) would later use to standardize the Quranic script for the entire world. His proactive leadership ensured that the Quran remained preserved "between the two covers" for all time.
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