The Writers of the Quran: Key Figures and Their Contributions

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The Writers of the Quran ~ Hi, all readers! Prophet Muhammad was the Prophet and Messenger of Allah for twenty-three years. During this time, Allah revealed the Quran to him through the angel Gabriel. The Quran was revealed to him gradually, not all at once.

In general, all revelations pertained to what he needed, although sometimes they did not, such as the Qur'anic verse explaining the release of Aisha bint Abu Bakr from slander. All verses of the Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad were written down, which is why the validity of the Quran is guaranteed.

Who Wrote the Quran?

Another important thing to know before discussing the people who wrote the Quran is that Prophet Muhammad was "Ummi," which generally means "unable to read or write." Similarly, the Arab society at that time was predominantly illiterate, relying mostly on memory and oral tradition. Therefore, Prophet Muhammad chose a number of individuals who could read and write to codify and write down the Quran.

By the way, do you know how many people wrote the Quran at that time and who they were?

According to historical data, such as the book "al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah" by Ibn Kathir, the individuals responsible for writing the Quran were twenty-four in total. All of them were chosen by Prophet Muhammad based on their abilities.

However, before I explain their names, it's important to note that these twenty-four individuals were not the ones who wrote the Quran from the very beginning of Prophet Muhammad's prophethood or from the time he first received revelations from Allah. Some of them initially opposed the Prophet, but he appointed them as scribes after they converted to Islam.

Names of People Who Wrote the Quran

The twenty-four people who wrote the Quran during the time of Prophet Muhammad, as described by Ibn Kathir in "al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah," are as follows:

  1. Abu Bakr ash-Shiddiq.
  2. Umar ibn Khattab.
  3. Uthman ibn Affan.
  4. Ali ibn Abi Talib.
  5. Aban ibn Said ibn Ash ibn Umaiyah.
  6. Ubaiy ibn Kaab ibn Qais ibn Ubaid al-Khazraji al-Ansari.
  7. Arqam ibn Abi Arqam.
  8. Thabit ibn Qais ibn Umaiyah.
  9. Ubaiy ibn Qab ibn Qais ibn Ubaid al-Khazraji al-Ansari.
  10. Handhalah bin Rabi' bin Shaifi bin Rabah.
  11. Khalid ibn Said bin Ash ibn Umaiyah.
  12. Khalid ibn Walid ibn Abdillah ibn Umar bin Makhzum.
  13. Zubair ibn Awam bin Khuwailid ibn Asad ibn Abdul Uzza ibn Qushai.
  14. Zaid ibn Thabit ibn Dlahak.
  15. As-Sijl.
  16. Saad ibn Abi Sarah.
  17. Amir ibn Fahira.
  18. Abdullah ibn Arqam ibn Abi Arqam al-Makhzumi.
  19. Abdullah ibn Zaid ibn Abdi Rabbihi al-Anshari al-Khazraji.
  20. Abdullah ibn Saad ibn Abi Sarah.
  21. Ala' ibn Al-Makhzumi.
  22. Abdullah ibn Zaid ibn Abdi Rabbihi al-Anshari al-Khazraji.
  23. Abdullah ibn Saad ibn Abi Sarah.
  24. Ala' ibn al-Hadhrami.
  25. Ala' ibn Uqbah, Muhammad ibn Maslamah ibn Jaris.
  26. Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan.
  27. Mughirah ibn Syu'bah.

These are the individuals who wrote the Quran during the time of Prophet Muhammad. You might be wondering who they are, and the answer to that question would require another discussion that I will explain in a different article.

Why? Because detailing the biographies of these twenty-four individuals requires extensive information, which would be too much to cover here. However, I want to mention that five of these twenty-four individuals later became leaders of the Muslims after Prophet Muhammad. These five were Abu Bakr, Umar ibn Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan.

All readers! That is a brief explanation of the people who wrote the Quran. Do you understand? If you have any questions, please ask!

I think that's enough for this article. I hope it is useful! Ameen!

See you in the next article!

Akhmad Syafiuddin
Akhmad Syafiuddin An expert in Islamic discourse and law, and a graduate of Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

6 comments for "The Writers of the Quran: Key Figures and Their Contributions"

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I am truly grateful to the author for providing such a detailed and insightful explanation about the writers of the Quran. As a new Muslim, it was incredibly enlightening to learn about the 24 individuals who were responsible for writing down the Quran during the time of Prophet Muhammad. Understanding that these individuals were chosen by the Prophet himself based on their skills and commitment to Islam gives me a deeper appreciation for the preservation and authenticity of the Quran.

The explanation about how the Quran was revealed gradually and how Prophet Muhammad, who was illiterate, relied on these scribes to ensure that the Quran was accurately recorded, really helped me grasp the importance of these efforts. It also reassures me that the Quran we have today is authentic and has been preserved as it was revealed over 1,400 years ago.

The inclusion of the names of these scribes, as well as the explanation about how some of them initially opposed the Prophet before converting to Islam, was also eye-opening. This detail shows the transformative power of Islam and the pivotal role that these individuals played in the history of the Quran.

I appreciate the clarity and simplicity with which the article was written, making it accessible to both new Muslims and those who have been in the faith for a longer time. Thank you so much for this informative and well-organized piece. May Allah bless you for your efforts in sharing such valuable knowledge.
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Hello Rashid,

Thank you for reading this article.

Warm regards.
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I truly appreciate this informative and insightful article about the writers of the Quran. As a Muslim woman, it fills me with a sense of pride and gratitude to know that these noble individuals were chosen by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to preserve the sacred words of Allah. The detailed explanation not only clears up common questions but also provides a deeper understanding of the commitment and sacrifices made by those who played a crucial role in documenting the Quran during such a pivotal time in Islamic history.

It's fascinating to learn that some of these writers initially opposed Islam but later became instrumental in preserving the divine message. This aspect reminds me of the immense power of faith and transformation in the path of Islam. The inclusion of prominent names like Abu Bakr, Umar ibn Khattab, and Uthman ibn Affan further emphasizes the significance of their contributions to Islam and its legacy.

Thank you to the author for presenting this topic with clarity and depth. It not only helps deepen our knowledge of Islamic history but also strengthens our connection to the Quran. I look forward to more enlightening articles like this one that further enrich our understanding of the foundational elements of Islam. Ameen!
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Hello Neswa,

Thank you for reading this article.

Warm regards.
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I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the author for this detailed and well-structured article on the writers of the Quran. After reading it, I feel much more informed and enlightened about the historical context of how the Quran was recorded during the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The author has done an excellent job of explaining the role of the scribes who helped preserve the Quran, ensuring that its teachings have been passed down accurately to this day.

The explanation that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself was "Ummi" and how he chose capable individuals to write down the Quran is particularly enlightening. I was also fascinated by the historical background provided about these scribes. It is truly remarkable how individuals from different walks of life, some of whom initially opposed the Prophet, later became instrumental in preserving the divine revelation. This shows the transformative power of Islam and the Prophet's wisdom in selecting the right people for such an important task.

The list of the twenty-four individuals who wrote the Quran, as mentioned by Ibn Kathir, is also quite insightful. I appreciate that the article provided this list, even though the detailed biographies of these scribes would require another discussion. It is also noteworthy that several of these scribes later became prominent leaders of the Muslim community, such as Abu Bakr, Umar ibn Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan.

This article is an excellent resource for anyone interested in understanding the history of the Quran's compilation and the individuals involved in it. The clarity and simplicity of the writing make it accessible to a wide audience, from those new to the subject to those with more advanced knowledge. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more articles from this author. May Allah reward you for your efforts. Ameen.
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Hello Hafsa,

Thank you for reading this article.

Warm regards.