Ulum al Qur'an
Chronology of the Written Text
| Around 610 | Muhammad's Prophethood commences. | 1st revelation in cave on Mount Hira | Transmitted orally, later in written form. |
610-32 |
Muhammad in Makka and Madina. | Continious revelation on numerous occasions | Transmitted orally after memorisation by many, and writing down of revelation by various companions upon the direct instruction of the Prophet himself. |
632 |
Prophets death. |
Last revelation few days before this. |
Compelete revelation left behind both in the memories of various companions as well as on various writing materials. |
| At the death of the Prophet, complete revelation left behind. | |||
632-34 |
Abu Bakrs caliphate |
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633 |
During the battle of Yamama several companions who knew the Quran by heart were killed. | Abu Bakr instructs Zaid b. Thabit to prepare a single copy of the complete revelation. | Zaid b. Thabit brings together all the revelation into the suhuf from both oral as well as written sources demanding two witnesses for each piece. The Suhuf remain with Abu Bakr. |
| During the 1st/2nd year after the Prophets death the entire revelation was copied onto sheets (suhuf). | |||
634-44 |
Umar's Caliphate. |
The suhuf remain with Umar. | |
644-56 |
Uthmans Caliphate. |
The suhuf remain with Hafsa bint Umar. | |
653 |
Campaign against Armenia and Azerbaidjan. | Serious differences arose among muslims about the correct recitation of the Quran. Uthman instructs Zaid together with three other sahaba to prepare copies from the suhuf kept with Hafsa. | Zaid and three Companions prepare a number of fresh copies from the suhuf. These copies are sent to the various muslim regions to replace other material in circulation. Suhuf returned to Hafsa. ‘Uthman also keeps one copy (mushaf). |
| Several copies of the entire revelation available through out the muslim lands. | |||