AL Quran: Abu Bakr and Uthman Edition

Holy Quran in Order of Revelation

Culture: Beliefs, Arts, and Expression

History of the Qur’an Under Abu Bakr and Uthman (633–656 CE)

The history of the Qur’an’s compilation under Abu Bakr and Uthman concerns the preservation of a scripture consisting of 114 surahs, beginning with Al-Fatihah and ending with An-Nas. During the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (570–632 CE), revelations were memorized and recorded on parchment, leather, palm stalks, shoulder blades, and stone fragments. The complete corpus included chapters such as Al-Baqarah, Aal-‘Imran, An-Nisa’, Al-Ma’idah, Al-An’am, Al-A’raf, Al-Anfal, At-Taubah, Yunus, Hud, Yusuf, Ar-Ra’d, Ibrahim, Al-Hijr, An-Nahl, Al-Isra’, Al-Kahf, Maryam, Ta-Ha, Al-Anbiya’, Al-Hajj, Al-Mu’minun, An-Nur, Al-Furqan, Ash-Shu’ara, An-Naml, Al-Qasas, Al-Ankabut, Ar-Rum, Luqman, As-Sajdah, Al-Ahzab, Saba’, Fatir, Ya-Sin, As-Saffat, Sad, Az-Zumar, Ghafir, Fussilat, Ash-Shura, Az-Zukhruf, Ad-Dukhan, Al-Jathiyah, Al-Ahqaf, Muhammad, Al-Fath, Al-Hujurat, Qaf, Adh-Dhariyat, At-Tur, An-Najm, Al-Qamar, Ar-Rahman, Al-Waqi’ah, Al-Hadid, Al-Mujadilah, Al-Hashr, Al-Mumtahinah, As-Saff, Al-Jumu’ah, Al-Munafiqun, At-Taghabun, At-Talaq, At-Tahrim, Al-Mulk, Al-Qalam, Al-Haqqah, Al-Ma’arij, Nuh, Al-Jinn, Al-Muzzammil, Al-Muddathir, Al-Qiyamah, Al-Insan, Al-Mursalat, An-Naba’, An-Nazi’at, ‘Abasa, At-Takwir, Al-Infitar, Al-Mutaffifin, Al-Inshiqaq, Al-Buruj, At-Tariq, Al-A’la, Al-Ghashiyah, Al-Fajr, Al-Balad, Ash-Shams, Al-Layl, Ad-Duha, Ash-Sharh, At-Tin, Al-‘Alaq, Al-Qadr, Al-Bayyinah, Az-Zalzalah, Al-‘Adiyat, Al-Qari’ah, At-Takathur, Al-‘Asr, Al-Humazah, Al-Fil, Quraysh, Al-Ma’un, Al-Kawthar, Al-Kafirun, An-Nasr, Al-Masad, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas.

Following the Battle of Yamama in 633 CE in central Arabia, many qurra’ (memorizers of the Qur’an) were killed. According to reports preserved in Sahih al-Bukhari, Umar ibn al-Khattab urged Abu Bakr to collect the revelations into a single manuscript. Abu Bakr appointed Zayd ibn Thabit, who gathered the text from written materials and oral reciters. The resulting codex passed from Abu Bakr to Umar and then to Hafsa bint Umar in Medina.

During the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan (644–656 CE), differences in recitation appeared as Islam expanded into Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and Persia. Around 650–656 CE, Uthman ordered a standardized recension based on Hafsa’s manuscript. Official copies were sent to Medina, Mecca, Kufa, Basra, and Damascus, establishing the Uthmanic Codex. This edition became the authoritative text of all 114 surahs and remains the foundation of the Qur’an transmitted throughout the Muslim world today.

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bi-smi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm-بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ

1. Al-Fatihah
2. Al-Baqarah
3. Aal-‘Imran
4. An-Nisa’
5. Al-Ma’idah
6. Al-An’am
7. Al-A’raf
8. Al-Anfal
9. At-Taubah
10. Yunus
11. Hud
12. Yusuf
13. Ar-Ra’d
14. Ibrahim
15. Al-Hijr
16. An-Nahl
17. Al-Isra’
18. Al-Kahf
19. Maryam
20. Ta-Ha
21. Al-Anbiya’
22. Al-Hajj
23. Al-Mu’minun
24. An-Nur
25. Al-Furqan
26. Ash-Shu’ara
27. An-Naml
28. Al-Qasas
29. Al-Ankabut
30. Ar-Rum
31. Luqman
32. As-Sajdah
33. Al-Ahzab
34. Saba’
35. Fatir
36. Ya-Sin
37. As-Saffat
38. Sad
39. Az-Zumar
40. Ghafir
41. Fussilat
42. Ash-Shura
43. Az-Zukhruf
44. Ad-Dukhan
45. Al-Jathiyah
46. Al-Ahqaf
47. Muhammad
48. Al-Fath
49. Al-Hujurat
50. Qaf
51. Adh-Dhariyat
52. At-Tur
53. An-Najm
54. Al-Qamar
55. Ar-Rahman
56. Al-Waqi’ah
57. Al-Hadid
58. Al-Mujadilah
59. Al-Hashr
60. Al-Mumtahinah
61. As-Saff
62. Al-Jumu’ah
63. Al-Munafiqun
64. At-Taghabun
65. At-Talaq
66. At-Tahrim
67. Al-Mulk
68. Al-Qalam
69. Al-Haqqah
70. Al-Ma’arij
71. Nuh
72. Al-Jinn
73. Al-Muzzammil
74. Al-Muddathir
75. Al-Qiyamah
76. Al-Insan
77. Al-Mursalat
78. An-Naba’
79. An-Nazi’at
80. ‘Abasa
81. At-Takwir
82. Al-Infitar
83. Al-Mutaffifin
84. Al-Inshiqaq
85. Al-Buruj
86. At-Tariq
87. Al-A’la
88. Al-Ghashiyah
89. Al-Fajr
90. Al-Balad
91. Ash-Shams
92. Al-Layl
93. Ad-Duha
94. Ash-Sharh
95. At-Tin
96. Al-‘Alaq
97. Al-Qadr
98. Al-Bayyinah
99. Az-Zalzalah
100. Al-‘Adiyat
101. Al-Qari’ah
102. At-Takathur
103. Al-‘Asr
104. Al-Humazah
105. Al-Fil
106. Quraysh
107. Al-Ma’un
108. Al-Kawthar
109. Al-Kafirun
110. An-Nasr
111. Al-Masad
112. Al-Ikhlas
113. Al-Falaq
114. An-Nas

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Sarvarthapedia Conceptual Network: Abu Bakr and Uthman Edition of the Qur’an

The central node connecting the history of Qur’anic preservation, early Islamic governance, oral transmission, written compilation, and the formation of the Uthmanic Codex.

Connected Concepts

• Qur’an as per Revelation
• Prophet Muhammad
• Revelation (Islamic)
• Preservation of the Qur’an
• Abu Bakr
• Umar ibn al-Khattab
• Uthman ibn Affan
• Zayd ibn Thabit
• Battle of Yamama
• Hafsa Manuscript
• Uthmanic Codex
• Seven Ahruf
• Qira’at
• Qur’anic Manuscripts
• Oral Tradition

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Qur’an

The scripture collected under Abu Bakr and standardized under Uthman.

Connected To

• Revelation
• 114 Surahs
• Memorization
• Written Preservation
• Uthmanic Codex

See Also

• Al-Fatihah
• Al-Baqarah
• An-Nas
• Qur’anic Canon

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Prophet Muhammad

Recipient and transmitter of the Qur’anic revelation.

Connected To

• Revelation
• Qur’anic Scribes
• Oral Transmission
• Medina
• Mecca

See Also

• Jibril
• Companions of the Prophet
• Farewell Pilgrimage

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Revelation (Wahy)

The process through which the Qur’an was revealed between 610 and 632 CE.

Connected To

• Muhammad
• Jibril
• Qur’an
• Meccan Surahs
• Medinan Surahs

See Also

• Cave of Hira
• Al-‘Alaq
• Divine Inspiration

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Preservation of the Qur’an

The broader process involving memorization, writing, collection, and standardization.

Connected To

• Abu Bakr Compilation
• Uthmanic Codex
• Oral Tradition
• Written Manuscripts

See Also

• Battle of Yamama
• Seven Ahruf
• Qira’at

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Abu Bakr

First caliph of Islam (632–634 CE) who authorized the first official collection.

Connected To

• Battle of Yamama
• Umar ibn al-Khattab
• Zayd ibn Thabit
• Hafsa Manuscript

Historical Significance

Commissioned the first comprehensive Qur’anic manuscript after concerns about the deaths of memorizers.

See Also

• Rashidun Caliphate
• Early Islamic Administration

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Umar ibn al-Khattab

Second caliph and principal advocate of Qur’anic collection.

Connected To

• Abu Bakr
• Battle of Yamama
• Hafsa
• Preservation of the Qur’an

Historical Significance

Recognized the need for a written master copy after military casualties among Qur’an reciters.

See Also

• Rashidun Caliphate
• Sahih al-Bukhari

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Battle of Yamama (633 CE)

Military conflict that triggered the first official compilation effort.

Connected To

• Abu Bakr
• Umar
• Qurra’
• Zayd ibn Thabit

Historical Significance

Large numbers of Qur’an memorizers were killed.

See Also

• Ridda Wars
• Early Islamic Expansion

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Qurra’

Specialists known for memorizing and reciting the Qur’an.

Connected To

• Oral Tradition
• Battle of Yamama
• Hafiz

See Also

• Qur’anic Education
• Recitation Traditions

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Hafiz

A person who has memorized the entire Qur’an.

Connected To

• Qurra’
• Oral Preservation
• Islamic Education

See Also

• Tajwid
• Qira’at

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Zayd ibn Thabit

Chief compiler of the Qur’an under both Abu Bakr and Uthman.

Connected To

• Abu Bakr Compilation
• Uthmanic Standardization
• Hafsa Manuscript

Historical Significance

Collected Qur’anic materials from written records and oral witnesses.

See Also

• Qur’anic Scribes
• Ansar

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Qur’anic Scribes

Individuals responsible for recording revelations during Muhammad’s lifetime.

Major Figures

• Zayd ibn Thabit
• Ubayy ibn Ka‘b
• Mu‘adh ibn Jabal
• Abu Zayd

Connected To

• Revelation
• Written Preservation
• Prophet Muhammad

See Also

• Early Islamic Literacy
• Manuscript Tradition

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Abu Bakr Compilation

The first official collection of the Qur’an.

Date

633–634 CE

Connected To

• Battle of Yamama
• Zayd ibn Thabit
• Hafsa Manuscript

Sources

• Sahih al-Bukhari 6:61:509
• Sahih al-Bukhari 6:61:511

See Also

• Oral Transmission
• Written Codices

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Hafsa Manuscript

The manuscript preserved after Abu Bakr’s collection.

Connected To

• Umar ibn al-Khattab
• Hafsa bint Umar
• Uthmanic Codex

Historical Significance

Served as the reference text for Uthman’s recension.

See Also

• Early Qur’anic Manuscripts
• Compilation History

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Hafsa bint Umar

Custodian of the manuscript produced under Abu Bakr.

Connected To

• Umar ibn al-Khattab
• Hafsa Manuscript
• Uthmanic Standardization

See Also

• Wives of Muhammad
• Early Islamic History

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Uthman ibn Affan

Third caliph of Islam (644–656 CE) who standardized the Qur’anic text.

Connected To

• Uthmanic Codex
• Zayd ibn Thabit
• Hafsa Manuscript

Historical Significance

Ordered the production and distribution of standardized copies.

See Also

• Rashidun Caliphate
• Islamic Expansion

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Uthmanic Codex

The standardized text produced during Uthman’s reign.

Date

Approximately 650–656 CE

Connected To

• Uthman ibn Affan
• Zayd ibn Thabit
• Hafsa Manuscript

Distribution Centers

• Medina
• Mecca
• Kufa
• Basra
• Damascus

See Also

• Qur’anic Manuscripts
• Canon Formation

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Qur’anic Manuscripts

Written copies derived from the Uthmanic recension.

Connected To

• Uthmanic Codex
• Arabic Script
• Islamic Calligraphy

See Also

• Codicology
• Paleography

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Oral Tradition

The memorized transmission of the Qur’an.

Connected To

• Qurra’
• Hafiz
• Recitation
• Seven Ahruf

Historical Significance

Operated alongside written manuscripts.

See Also

• Tajwid
• Qira’at

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Seven Ahruf

The doctrine that the Qur’an was revealed in seven forms.

Connected To

• Prophet Muhammad
• Gabriel
• Recitation Diversity

Sources

• Sahih al-Bukhari 6:61:513
• Sahih al-Bukhari 6:61:514

See Also

• Qira’at
• Oral Transmission

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Qira’at

Canonical methods of Qur’anic recitation.

Connected To

• Seven Ahruf
• Oral Tradition
• Transmission Chains

See Also

• Tajwid
• Islamic Scholarship

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Sahih al-Bukhari

Major hadith source documenting Qur’anic collection and preservation.

Relevant Narrations

Compilation Narrations

• 6:61:509
• 6:61:511

Seven Ahruf Narrations

• 6:61:513
• 6:61:514

Early Collectors

• 6:61:525
• 6:61:526

Connected To

• Abu Bakr Compilation
• Uthmanic Standardization

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114 Surahs

The complete corpus preserved through Abu Bakr’s collection and Uthman’s recension.

Structural Range

• First Surah: Al-Fatihah
• Last Surah: An-Nas

Connected To

• Qur’an
• Uthmanic Codex
• Canon Formation

Major Groups

Foundational Legal Surahs

• Al-Baqarah
• Aal-‘Imran
• An-Nisa’
• Al-Ma’idah

Historical and Prophetic Narratives

• Yusuf
• Maryam
• Ta-Ha
• Al-Qasas

Meccan Theological Surahs

• Ya-Sin
• Az-Zumar
• Qaf
• An-Najm

Medinan Community Surahs

• Al-Anfal
• At-Taubah
• Al-Hujurat
• Al-Hashr

Final Short Surahs

• Al-Ikhlas
• Al-Falaq
• An-Nas

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Canon Formation

The process by which the Qur’anic text became fixed and universally transmitted.

Connected To

• Abu Bakr Compilation
• Uthmanic Codex
• Qur’anic Manuscripts

See Also

• Textual History
• Islamic Orthodoxy

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Rashidun Caliphate

The political framework within which Qur’anic preservation occurred.

Connected To

• Abu Bakr
• Umar
• Uthman

Historical Period

632–661 CE

See Also

• Early Islamic State
• Expansion of Islam

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Master Knowledge Path

Primary Chain

Revelation → Prophet Muhammad → Oral Transmission → Qurra’ → Battle of Yamama → Abu Bakr → Zayd ibn Thabit → Abu Bakr Compilation → Hafsa Manuscript → Uthman ibn Affan → Uthmanic Codex → Qur’anic Manuscripts → Global Qur’anic Tradition

Textual Preservation Chain

Qur’an → Memorization → Written Fragments → Compilation → Standardization → Uthmanic Codex → Qira’at → Islamic Scholarship

Historical Development Chain

Mecca → Revelation → Medina → Death of Muhammad (632 CE) → Battle of Yamama (633 CE) → Abu Bakr Collection → Hafsa Manuscript → Uthmanic Standardization (650–656 CE) → Preservation of the 114 Surahs → Islamic Civilization

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