Overview

We shall make sure of its safe collection and recitation.


– (Surah Al-Qiyamah, Ayat 17)

The history of texts and manuscripts is a niche arena of study that is required for the authentication of classical literature, and more so, divine scripture. The words of Allah have gone through phases of documentation and verification over the course of history, leading us to where we are now, with countless copies of The Quran, in print and in digital format.

The nature of The Quran, as its name suggests, is that it is a form of literature which is gathered and recited with immense frequency. Although the study of The Quran began as an aural and recital tradition, the documentation of its text was simultaneously initiated during the time of its revelation, as instructed by The Prophet ﷺ, the most excellent elucidator of The Quran.

The history of human efforts put into the preservation of The Quran is simply astounding, exhibiting the unparalleled magnitude of the divine scripture, while also instigating further enquiry into the textual preservation of The Quran. In addition, the diversity of written texts of The Quran open up multiple inquiries into the various writing systems within the Arabic vernacular. These systems have been utilized over the course of history to preserve the variant readings of The Quran. This variety has naturally led to some question marks over the claimed authenticity of The Quran.

This module, let’s flip the pages of history to decode the Quran’s textual journey through time.