Compilation of the Qur’aan Differing perspectives Anis Kotia MA Student, ICAS 18th Jan 2010

Mismanagement Theory Assumption: serious mistakes made by Prophet and Companions Prophet Muhammad: verses forgotten, later claiming that they were abrogated Huffaz (memorisers): many died taking large sections of Qur’aan with them Companion Compilers: Zayd and Uthmaan made mistakes Result: Uthmaanic codex incomplete and incorrect

Mismanagement Theory Qur’aan written on adhoc objects Qur’aan memorised by Prophet Qur’aan revealed to Prophet Muhammad Qur’aan memorised by Companions Qur’aanic codices compiled by Companions Companion codices disseminated Adhoc objects kept by Prophet Qur’aan forgotten by Prophet Abu Bakr collects adhoc records Abu Bakr Zayd starts compilation of sheets Prophet Adhoc objects kept by Companions Abu Bakr sheets borrowed from Hafsa NOTE: Abrogation is explored in more detail separately Non Uthmaanic codices burnt Some verses missed by Zayd Uthmaan Need to unite Muslims on one reading Need to preserve Qur’aan in written form Zayd completes compilation Some verses missed by Zayd Zayd gives collection of sheets to Hafsa Muslims claim missing verses are abrogated

Reliable Compilation Theory Assumption: Serious mistakes not made by Prophet and Companions Prophet Muhammad: abrogated / forgotten verses replaced by Allaah as and when necessary Huffaz (memorisers): many died, however, others had memorised or compiled Qur’aan Companion Compilers: Zayd and Uthmaan were both reliable and were meticulous in their approach Result: Uthmaanic codex differs from some other codices, however, it is accurate and he had approval of prominent companions

Qur’aan written on materials such as parchment Qur’aan memorised by Prophet Qur’aan revealed to Prophet Muhammad Qur’aan memorised by Companions Qur’aanic codices compiled by Companions Companion codices disseminated Most materials kept by Prophet Qur’aan abrogated /forgotten by Prophet Abu Bakr collects adhoc records Abu Bakr Zayd compilation from sheets Prophet Some materials kept by Companions Abu Bakr sheets borrowed from Hafsa NOTE: Abrogation is explored in more detail separately Non Uthmaanic codices burnt Uthmaan Need to unite Muslims on one reading Need to preserve Qur’aan in written form Zayd completes compilation Unsubstantiat ed claims rejected Zayd gives collection of sheets to Hafsa If applicable, verse is replaced Unsubstantiat ed claims rejected Minor rearrangement s by Uthmaan Masjid Nabawi has copy of mashaf Reliable Compilation Theory

Bibliography Burton, John. The Collection of the Qur’aan (Cambridge University Press, 1979) Qadhi, Yasir. Introduction to the Islamic Sciences (al Hidayah Publishers and Distributors, 1999) Al Khui, Imam. The prolegomena of the Qur’aan (Oxford University Press, 1998)