Ads by Muslim Ad Network

Was the Quran Written during Prophet’s Lifetime?

05 November, 2023
Q As-salamu `alaykum. My question is that I have heard that the Quran was written down or compiled ten years after the death of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Is it true? This question was addressed to me by one of my Christian classmates, and he said that if the Qur’an was not written at the time of Prophet Muhammad, then how is that you believe that it is the true word of God, because it was sent to Prophet Muhammad but when it was compiled he was not there, so how do Muslims believe in it. I told him that the Companions of Prophet Muhammad memorized the Qur’an during his lifetime and then compiled it. But he needed more details and proof. Now my question here is: can you provide me with a good proof and explanation so I can explain the issue to him in a better way? I will be really thankful.

Answer

Wa `alaykum as-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


In this fatwa:

The Quran was written down in the lifetime of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet used to ask some of his Companions to record the verses as they were revealed.

Ads by Muslim Ad Network

In addition to this, many of the Companions used to learn the Quran by heart. Thus, although the Quran was compiled in one volume after the Prophet’s death, it was written down during his life.


Responding to your question, Dr. Sano Koutoub Moustapha, professor of fiqh and its principles, International Islamic University, Malaysia, states,

Thank you and may Allah grant you more knowledge. You were very right in what you told your classmate. However, you should differentiate between writing and compiling. The Glorious Quran was compiled after the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); that is, it was fully written and protected at the time of the Prophet and it was also fully memorized by many people at the time.

In addition to that, Allah promises that He will protect this book against all forms and types of destruction and cheating. This divine promise has always been there.

Thus the Glorious Quran is the only book which has not been subject to falsification or amendments. Furthermore, the first compilation of the Quran occurred only less than three years after the death of the Prophet, not after ten years as your friend mentioned.

All in all, the Glorious Quran has been proven throughout history to be an accurate and consistent book of God. All attempts to amend it or falsify its contents have failed. Yet, the Qur’an does not contain any teachings and commands that go against the nature or the interest of mankind.

Finally, do request your friend to go through the Glorious Qur’an. Surely, he will find it a wonderful and interesting book.

Allah Almighty knows best.