مصاحفِ صحابہؓ: تدوینِ قرآن کے تناظر میں ایک تنقیدی مطالعہ

Muṣḥaf al-Ṣaḥābah: A Critical Study in the Context of Qur’anic Compilation

Abstract

This study critically examines the personal codices (Muṣḥaf) attributed to the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ in the context of the compilation and preservation of the Qur’an. These codices refer to complete written collections of the Qur’an maintained by individual Companions, rather than partial writings of a few verses. During the Prophet’s ﷺ lifetime, revelations were both memorized and recorded on various materials such as parchment, leaves, bones, and stones. Prominent scribes, including Zayd ibn Thabit and Abu ibn Ka‘b, meticulously transcribed the Qur’an, while other Companions maintained personal copies according to their capacity and convenience. The research highlights the diversity among these personal codices, including variations in verse arrangement, calligraphy, brief explanatory notes, and readings, as well as occasional differences in nasikh and mansukh (abrogated) verses. Despite these variations, the essential Qur’anic text remained consistent. Following the Prophet’s ﷺ passing, Abu Bakr ensured a unified compilation, which was later standardized during Caliph ʿUthmān’s reign to prevent discrepancies across the Muslim community. Personal codices attributed to various Companions, such as ʿAlī, ʿUbayy ibn Ka‘b, and ʿAbdullah ibn Mas‘ūd, either influenced this standardization or were subsequently set aside. This study also addresses historical misconceptions raised by Orientalists regarding the destruction of non-standard codices, emphasizing that the standardization process was based on consensus among the Companions and preserved the Qur’an’s integrity. By analyzing the content, historical context, and significance of these codices, this research provides a comprehensive understanding of the early transmission and compilation of the Qur’an, illustrating the crucial role of the Companions in safeguarding its text.