Where are the master copies of the Quran kept?
The master copies of the Quran were compiled during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan. This process was initiated due to concerns about discrepancies in the recitation of the Quran among various groups. As Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman reported, he approached Uthman, stating: Commander of the Faithful, save this nation before they differ over the Book as the Jews and Christians did.
Sunan al-Tirmidhi 47:156 Uthman then sent to Hafsa, requesting the original manuscripts of the Quran be sent to him for compilation into standardized copies. Hafsa complied, and Uthman commanded a group of scribes, including Zaid ibn Thabit, to copy these manuscripts.
Uthman instructed them: "Whatever you disagree about, write it in the dialect of Quraysh, for the Quran was revealed in their language." As a result, Uthman sent copies of the compiled Quran to every province, ensuring uniformity in its recitation.
The preserved manuscripts are considered the master copies, and they served as the standard reference for the Quranic text, protecting it from variations and ensuring its integrity throughout the Islamic world.
Sources
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Sunan al-Tirmidhi 47:156
Sunan al-Tirmidhi · Book 47, Hadith 156 · Narrated by Zayd ibn Thabit
Hudhayfah came to Uthman ibn Affan while he was campaigning against the people of the Levant during the conquest of Armenia and Azerbaijan with the Iraqis. Hudhayfah saw their disagreement over the Quran and said to Uthman, 'Commander of the Faithful, save this nation before they differ over the Book as the Jews and Christians did.' He sent to Hafsa requesting the copies to be sent for us to compile into single copies, then return them to her. Hafsa sent the manuscripts to Uthman, who commanded Zaid ibn Thabit, Saeed ibn Al-As, Abdul-Rahman ibn Harith ibn Hisham, and Abdullah ibn Zubair to copy the manuscripts into copies of the Quran. He told the Quraishi party: 'Whatever you disagree about, write it in the dialect of Quraysh, for the Quran was revealed in their language.' Thus, the manuscripts were transcribed into copies. Uthman sent a copy to every province. Al-Zuhri related this from Kharijah ibn Zaid ibn Thabit that Zaid ibn Thabit had found a verse missing from Surah Al-Ahzab which he remembered the Prophet reciting: "Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allah; among them is he who died, others who wait." He sought it out and found it with Khuzaymah or Abu Khuzaymah and inserted it in its place. They differed then over the word 'al-tabut' (the ark) vs. 'al-tabwah.' The Quraish favored 'al-tabut' and Zaid insisted on 'al-tabwah.' The dispute was referred to Uthman who decreed 'al-tabut' to be written, as it was revealed in the language of Quraysh. 'Abdullah ibn Mas’ud disliked Zaid’s copying and said: "O people of Iraq, withhold the copies you have and keep them away, for Allah says: 'And whoever conceals [what he] has taken on the Day of Resurrection...'" It has been narrated that this was disliked by some notable companions of the Prophet, peace be upon him. This is a sound and authentic hadith known only from Al-Zuhri’s narration.
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