An Analytical Study of the Editing the Holy Quran

Abstract

This article provides insight into the preservation and compilation of the Holy Quran, the final divine revelation bestowed upon humanity by God Almighty through the last Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (swa). The Quran stands as an eternal testament to our shared spiritual heritage, remaining unaltered from its inception to the present day. Its preservation is divinely guaranteed, as affirmed in the Quranic verse: "Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran, and indeed, We will be its guardian." Throughout the prophetic era, the Quran was revealed gradually, with verses emerging as circumstances demanded. These revelations were meticulously transcribed onto available materials, posing challenges to its compilation into a unified book during the Prophet's (swa) lifetime. This article examines pivotal aspects of the Quran's compilation, including methods of preservation, the arrangement of Surahs and verses, and the manuscript tradition during the Prophet's (swa) time. Furthermore, the article delves into significant endeavors during the caliphate of Abu Bakr Siddiq, shedding light on Zayd ibn Thabit's pivotal role in compiling the Quran. It explores the characteristics of the version compiled under Abu Bakr Siddiq and the proliferation of Quranic manuscripts during the Ottoman period. Through a comprehensive exploration, this article underscores the meticulous processes that have safeguarded the Quran's authenticity and integrity across centuries.