According to Islamic tradition, the Quran was not written by one single author, but is considered the word of God (Allah) as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel.
Here's a breakdown:
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Revelation: Muslims believe that between 609 and 632 CE, the words of the Quran were verbally revealed to Muhammad.
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Memorization and Oral Transmission: Muhammad recited these revelations to his followers, who memorized them. Oral transmission was a crucial aspect of preserving the text.
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Scribes: While memorization was paramount, some of Muhammad's companions also acted as scribes, writing down the revelations on materials available at the time (parchment, leaves, etc.).
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Compilation: After Muhammad's death in 632 CE, there was concern about preserving the revelations accurately. Under the leadership of the first caliph, Abu Bakr, a project was initiated to compile all the written and memorized portions of the Quran. This compilation was overseen by companions who had memorized and written down parts of the revelations.
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Standardization: The third caliph, Uthman, further standardized the text to ensure uniformity and prevent discrepancies. This standardized version is known as the Uthmanic Codex and is the basis for the Quran used by Muslims today.
Therefore, while the Quran is believed to be the word of God, its preservation involved:
- God (Allah): As the source of the revelations.
- Prophet Muhammad: As the recipient and transmitter of the revelations.
- Companions of Muhammad: As scribes, memorizers, and compilers.
- Caliphs Abu Bakr and Uthman: For initiating and standardizing the compilation process.
