Question

Saying of Prophet (may peace be upon him) to Muslims: “I am leaving two things among you 1 book of God 2 Ahl-bayet ((A term used for the household of the Prophet.)) but we also have different sayings about accumulations of Quran, for example:

1. Zaid ibn Thaabit said I accumulated the Qur’an

2. Many others in which it is said that Hadhrat Omar did that etc

Sir I am confused. Was the Qur’an present in the form of a book as said by the prophet or did someone else accumulate it, at a later?

Answer

The cited as well as a number of other narratives ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) clearly evidence the fact that the Prophet (pbuh) himself arranged and compiled the Qur’an during his life. This fact is also mentioned in the Qur’an, where the Prophet (pbuh) has been informed that God Himself shall arrange, compile and then make a final recitation of the Qur’an (Al-Qiyamah 75: 17 – 18).

On the basis of these facts, I am of the belief that the Qur’an was arranged and compiled in the form of a book during the life of the Prophet (pbuh). Any information that is contrary to this – being against the information provided by the Qur’an – shall stand unacceptable.

4^th February 2000