How To Prove The Quran Has Been Preserved Accurately

Summary

This script explores the preservation of the Qur'an from the time of Prophet Muhammad to the present day. It details the revelation process, memorization by companions, and early written records. The script highlights the compilation efforts by Zaid ibn Thabit and Caliph 'Uthman, ensuring the Qur'an's uniformity across the Muslim world. It also discusses the development of diacritical marks and the enduring tradition of oral and written transmission, ensuring the Qur'an's authenticity over 1400 years.

Takeaways

• ?\ud83d The Qur'an is believed to have been revealed to Prophet Muhammad over 23 years, starting from the age of 40 until his death at 63.
• ?\ud83d The revelations were received through various means, most commonly through direct verbal communication from the Angel Gabriel.
• ?\ud83d Muhammad, who could not read or write, encouraged others to write down and memorize the revelations to ensure their preservation.
• ?\ud83d At least 65 companions served as scribes, and a school was established in Madinah to teach reading and writing to 900 companions.
• ?\ud83d The Qur'an was taught in 7 main dialects of the Arabian Peninsula to ensure its widespread understanding.
• ?\ud83d After the Prophet's death, the leadership passed to Abu Bakr, who faced the challenge of preserving the Qur'an after many memorizers were killed in the battle of Yamamah.
• ?\ud83d Zaid ibn Thabit was appointed to compile the Qur'an using written verses and verification from those who memorized it, ensuring authenticity through multiple attestations.
• ?\ud83d The 'Uthmani Mushaf, standardized under Caliph 'Uthman, became the official version of the Qur'an, sent out with reciters to ensure uniformity.
• ?\ud83d The 'Uthmani Mushaf did not include skeletal or diacritical marks, which differentiate words that look the same without them.
• ?\ud83d The absence of diacritical marks in the 'Uthmani Mushaf was intentional, possibly to ensure the Qur'an's preservation through both written and oral traditions.
• ?\ud83d Over time, skeletal dots were added to new copies of the Qur'an, and a 1400-year mutawatir chain ensures that the Qur'an remains unchanged.

Q & A

How was the Qur'an revealed to Prophet Muhammad?

The Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad over 23 years, primarily through direct speech from the Angel Gabriel, but also during his dreams and on occasions directly from God, which he experienced as the sound of a heavy bell.

Why couldn't Prophet Muhammad read or write?

The script does not specify why Prophet Muhammad couldn't read or write, but it does mention that he verbally shared the revelations and encouraged others to write them down and memorize them.

How did the companions of Prophet Muhammad contribute to preserving the Qur'an?

The companions of Prophet Muhammad memorized the verses and wrote them on various materials like parchment, bone, wood, and stone. Many eventually memorized the entire Qur'an and wrote the verses down, contributing to its preservation.

What was the significance of the school established by Prophet Muhammad in Madinah?

The school in Madinah was dedicated to teaching 900 of his companions to read and write, which helped in preserving the Qur'an through written records.

Why was it important for the Qur'an to be taught in 7 main dialects of the Arabian peninsula?

Teaching the Qur'an in 7 main dialects was crucial to ensure that the message was understood by the growing number of tribes adopting Islam, even though the written records remained unaffected.

What was the critical issue that arose after the death of Prophet Muhammad regarding the Qur'an?

After the death of Prophet Muhammad, the critical issue was the potential loss of the entire Qur'an if those who had memorized it were killed, which was highlighted by the battle of Yamamah.

Who was appointed by Abu Bakr to compile the Qur'an into one collection?

Zaid ibn Thabit was appointed by Abu Bakr to compile the written verses of the Qur'an into one collection.

What is the concept of tawatur in the context of preserving the Qur'an?

Tawatur refers to the concept of having multiple independent chains of transmissions from different memorizers to ensure that a verse of the Qur'an is authentic.

What was the final text of the Qur'an compiled by Zaid ibn Thabit called?

The final text of the Qur'an compiled by Zaid ibn Thabit was called the Suhuf.

Why did Caliph 'Uthman decide to standardize the Qur'an in the Quraishi dialect?

Caliph 'Uthman decided to standardize the Qur'an in the Quraishi dialect to eliminate variant readings that were emerging due to the influx of non-Arabs who had embraced Islam.

Why were skeletal or diacritical marks not included in the original 'Uthmani Mushaf?

The original 'Uthmani Mushaf did not include skeletal or diacritical marks, possibly to ensure that the Qur'an would always be taught and preserved through both written and oral methods.

How did the use of skeletal dots evolve in the writing of the Qur'an?

Skeletal dots began to be used in new copies of the Mushaf within the caliphate of 'Uthman, and this quickly became the standard for all personal copies of the Qur'an.

What is the significance of the 1400-year mutawatir chain in the transmission of the Qur'an?

The 1400-year mutawatir chain signifies a continuous lineage of people who have learned the same Qur'an from their teachers and taught it to their students, ensuring the Qur'an has remained unchanged over time.