Download PDF THE HOLY QURAN WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION
1. Divine Origin and Nature of the Holy Qur’an
The Holy Qur’an is the central sacred text of Islam and is the literal word of God (Allah), revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over a period of approximately twenty-three years (610–632 CE). Unlike earlier scriptures, the Holy Qur’an was revealed in the Arabic language and preserved both orally and in written form from the earliest period of Islam (Ibn Kathir, n.d.). The Holy Qur’an is hence not the product of human authorship but a divine revelation transmitted verbatim through the Angel Jibrīl (A.S) (Gabriel) (Al-Tabari, n.d.).
2. Commencement of Revelation (610 CE)
The revelation of the Qur’an began in 610 CE when the Beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ received the first verses of Surah al-ʿAlaq in the sacred Cave of Ḥirāʾ. This marked the beginning of both Qur’anic revelation and the Prophetic mission (Ibn Hisham, n.d.).
Revelation occurred gradually, addressing changing social, moral, and legal circumstances. This gradual process allowed the early Muslim community to internalize and implement the holy Qur’anic teachings effectively (Ibn Saʿd, n.d.).
3. Makkan and Madinan Revelation
The Holy Qur’an is traditionally divided into Makkan and Madinan revelations.
Makkan verses primarily focus on:
- Monotheism (tawḥīd)
- The Hereafter
- Moral accountability
- Refutation of polytheism
Madinan verses address:
- Social laws
- Family structure
- Governance
- Inter-community relations (Ibn Kathir, n.d.).
This distinction reflects the evolving needs of the Muslim community and highlights the Qur’an’s role as both a spiritual and legal guide.
4. Preservation During the Beloved Prophet’s Lifetime
During the lifetime of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, the Qur’an was preserved through:
- Memorization (ḥifẓ) by a large number of Companions
- Written records on parchment, bones, leather, and palm leaves
Designated scribes, including Zayd ibn Thābit (R.A), recorded revelations under the direct supervision of the Prophet ﷺ, ensuring accuracy and correct placement of verses (Ibn Saʿd, n.d.).
Although the Holy Qur’an was not compiled into a single bound volume during the Prophet’s lifetime, its complete text was fully preserved and widely memorized (Al-Tabari, n.d.).
5. Compilation Under Abu Bakr (RA)
When the beloved Prophet ﷺ passed away, many Qur’an memorizers were martyred during the Battle of Yamāmah. Concerned about the preservation of the Qur’an, ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (RA) advised Caliph Abu Bakr (RA) to compile the Qur’an into a single manuscript (Ibn Kathir, n.d.).
Zayd ibn Thābit (R.A) was appointed to lead this task, collecting written materials and verifying them through strict criteria, including cross-verification with memorization. This first compiled manuscript (ṣuḥuf) was preserved with Abu Bakr (R.A), then Umar (R.A), and later Hafṣah bint Umar (R.A), (Ibn Hisham, n.d.).
6. Standardization Under Uthman (RA)
During the caliphate of ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān (RA), differences in recitation emerged due to linguistic diversity among newly converted Muslims. To prevent division, Caliph Uthman (R.A), ordered the preparation of a standardized text based on the Qurayshi dialect (Al-Tabari, n.d.).
Multiple authenticated copies were sent to major Islamic centers, and non-standard personal manuscripts were withdrawn to maintain textual uniformity. This standardized text forms the basis of the Qur’an used today (Ibn Kathir, n.d.).
7. Transmission, Recitation, and Qirāʾāt
The Holy Qur’an has been transmitted through continuous mass transmission (tawātur), making textual alteration historically implausible. The recognized qirāʾāt (modes of recitation) represent authentic phonetic variations taught by the Prophet ﷺ and do not affect meaning or content (Al-Dhahabi, n.d.).
This unique system of oral transmission, according to linguists, distinguishes the Holy Qur’an from all other religious texts.
8. Historical Authenticity and Preservation
Muslim historians and scholars consistently affirm that the Holy Qur’an has remained unchanged since its revelation. Even modern academic studies acknowledge the exceptional preservation of the Qur’anic text when compared with other ancient scriptures (Ibn Khaldun, n.d.).
The Qur’an’s preservation is viewed by Muslims as the fulfillment of the divine promise:
“Indeed, We have sent down the Reminder, and indeed We will preserve it” (Qur’an 15:9).
The history of the Holy Qur’an thus reflects a unique combination of divine guidance, meticulous preservation, and communal responsibility. From revelation to compilation and standardization, every stage was marked by rigorous verification and collective transmission. As a result, the Holy Qur’an remains the most authentically preserved religious text in human history, serving as the foundational source of Islamic belief, law, and ethics.
References
Al-Dhahabi, S. (n.d.). Siyar aʿlām al-nubalāʾ. Beirut: Muʾassasat al-Risālah.
Al-Tabari, M. (n.d.). Tārīkh al-rusul wa al-mulūk. Beirut: Dār al-Turāth.
Ibn Hisham, A. (n.d.). Al-sīrah al-nabawiyyah. Cairo: Dār al-Ḥadīth.
Ibn Kathir, I. (n.d.). Al-bidāyah wa al-nihāyah. Beirut: Dār al-Kutub al-ʿIlmiyyah.
Ibn Khaldun, A. (n.d.). Al-muqaddimah. Beirut: Dār al-Fikr.
