Instructions:
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Watch the video carefully and take clear, organized notes while watching.
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Review the concepts covered in the video and then attempt all the given exercises independently.
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If you feel stuck on any question, go back to your notes and re-watch the relevant part of the video before moving on.
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Do not skip difficult questions—use your notes to understand the method or concept step by step.
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Write down any questions or confusions in your notebook so you can ask the lecturer during the next class.
Good morning students. Today, we’ll be talking about one of the most important steps in preserving the Qur’an — the standardization that took place during the time of Caliph Uthman (RA). This event made sure that the Qur’an remained exactly the same for Muslims everywhere, no matter where they lived.
After the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) passed away, the Qur’an was memorized by many companions and also written down on materials like leaves, bones, and parchments. Later, Abu Bakr (RA) had already compiled it into one manuscript. But as Islam spread outside Arabia to places like Iraq, Syria, and Persia, Muslims from different regions spoke different dialects of Arabic. This caused small differences in recitation. Although the meanings were not changed, these differences could confuse people, especially new Muslims. Imagine if in one school, students recited the Qur’an slightly differently than in another school — after some years, this could cause disputes. Uthman (RA) realized that something had to be done before these variations created bigger problems.
So, Uthman (RA) set up a committee to standardize the Qur’an. He appointed Zayd ibn Thabit, who had also been part of the earlier compilation, along with other reliable companions like Abdullah ibn Zubair and Sa‘id ibn al-As. They worked very carefully, using the Mushaf of Abu Bakr (RA) as their main source, and cross-checked everything with companions who had memorized the Qur’an. Each verse was double-checked for accuracy, so there was no chance of error.
Once the Qur’an was finalized, several identical copies were made and sent to major cities like Madinah, Kufa, Basra, and Damascus. Along with each copy, a teacher was also sent to make sure people recited the Qur’an in the correct way. To prevent confusion, Uthman (RA) ordered that all other incomplete or different manuscripts should be burned. This was not done out of disrespect but to make sure only the correct, standard Qur’an was followed everywhere.
Now, let’s think about the importance of this step. First, it preserved the Qur’an in its exact form, so that what we recite today is the same as what was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Second, it created unity among Muslims across different regions, because everyone was reading and reciting the same Qur’an. Third, it prevented any future disputes or divisions. And finally, it gave Muslims one reliable book to learn from, memorize, and teach.
To sum up: Caliph Uthman (RA) ensured the Qur’an was preserved and unified by creating standardized copies, sending them across the Muslim world, and protecting the authenticity of Allah’s final message. Because of his efforts, Muslims everywhere — from Arabia to Asia to Africa — have been reciting the exact same Qur’an for more than 1,400 years.
