Topic 3: Preservation during the Prophet’s lifetime (oral & written)

Course Content
Islamiyat 2058 : OLEVEL : FULL COURSE

Instructions:

  • Watch the video carefully and take clear, organized notes while watching.

  • Review the concepts covered in the video and then attempt all the given exercises independently.

  • If you feel stuck on any question, go back to your notes and re-watch the relevant part of the video before moving on.

  • Do not skip difficult questions—use your notes to understand the method or concept step by step.

  • Write down any questions or confusions in your notebook so you can ask the lecturer during the next class.

 

Good morning students,
Today we are going to talk about how the Qur’an was preserved during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). This is a very important topic because it shows us how Allah protected His final message from being lost or changed.

Let’s start with something simple. Imagine your class has to remember an important announcement. Some students write it down, while others keep repeating it so they don’t forget. This way, even if one person forgets, someone else remembers. This is exactly how the Qur’an was preserved — both orally, through memorization, and in writing.

Oral preservation first. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself memorized every revelation that was sent to him. He then encouraged his companions to memorize the verses too. Many companions became Huffaz, meaning they memorized the entire Qur’an. Some famous ones were Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud, Ubayy ibn Ka‘ab, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and Zayd ibn Thabit. They didn’t just memorize silently — they taught others, recited in prayers, and kept passing it on. Reciting the Qur’an every day, especially in Salah, made their memory strong. And here’s an example: Bilal (RA), the famous companion, used to recite verses about patience and faith even during torture, showing how living with the Qur’an kept it safe in people’s hearts.

Now let’s talk about written preservation. At the same time, the Prophet (pbuh) had scribes — people whose job was to write down the Qur’an. They used whatever materials they had: parchment, palm leaves, even bones and stones. Zayd ibn Thabit was one of the most trusted scribes. When a new revelation came, the Prophet would dictate it, and the scribes would write it down. Then they would read it back to him to double-check. This way, the written Qur’an matched perfectly with the memorized Qur’an. Even though it was not put together into one complete book during the Prophet’s life, both oral and written preservation worked hand in hand to keep it accurate.

Why was this so important? Because it made sure the Qur’an was never forgotten or changed. Even people who couldn’t read or write could memorize it. It also prepared the way for the Qur’an to be collected into one book later, during the time of Caliph Abu Bakr and Caliph Uthman (RA). And of course, memorizing the Qur’an wasn’t just about preservation — it became a special act of worship and a source of blessing for the companions.

So in conclusion, during the Prophet’s lifetime, the Qur’an was preserved both by memorization, through the Huffaz, and by writing, through scribes under the Prophet’s supervision. These two methods worked together to ensure Allah’s message was fully protected, and that is why the Qur’an has remained safe and unchanged till today. You should now understand how it was preserved orally and in writing, and most importantly, why this preservation mattered: it kept the Qur’an accurate, safe, and accessible for every generation.

 

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