Prophet's scribes of divine revelation Flashcards
Who were the Prophet’s (PBUH) scribes, and what roles did they play?
- The prophet’s scribes were among his closest companions, including all four rightly guided Caliphs, Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman, and Ali.
- They wrote down revelations, treaties, and letters. Their proximity ensured accuracy.
- The Prophet (PBUH) also relied on them during key events, like the Treaty of al-Hudaibiya.
What materials were used to write down the Qur’an during the Prophet’s (PBUH) time?
- During the Prophet’s (PBUH) time, the Qur’an was written on camel shoulder bones, palm leaves, animal skin, stone tablets, and wood pieces.
- Though not compiled into a book, it was preserved in full during the Prophet’s lifetime.
Who was Ubayy ibn Ka’b, and what was his role?
- Ubayy ibn Ka’b was one of the Prophet’s official scribes and wrote letters. He was deeply trusted and known for his precision.
- His writings helped preserve early documentation of revelation.
What did Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As ask the Prophet (PBUH), and what was his response?
- Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As asked, “May I write down everything I hear from you in the states of contentment and anger?”
- The Prophet (PBUH) replied, “Yes, for I speak nothing but the truth.”
- He kept personal copies of revelations.
How were companions’ personal records used after the Prophet’s (PBUH) death?
- After the Prophet’s (PBUH) death, companions’ personal records verified during the Prophet’s life by reading back to him were used to confirm the final Qur’anic compilation under Abu Bakr (RA).
How did the Prophet (PBUH) arrange the order of Qur’anic verses?
- Prophet (PBUH) instructed scribes on where each verse belonged.
- This divine arrangement continued till the last revelation. He ensured systematic placement within Surahs.
Which verse refers to the scribes, and how does it describe them?
Surah Abasa refers to the scribes: -
“(Written) by the hands of scribes
- – noble and righteous.”
- It shows the scribes were not ordinary writers but pious and just men.
What did Zayd ibn Thabit say about recording the revelation?
Zayd ibn Thabit said about recording the revelation,
- “We used to record the Qur’an from parchments in the presence of the Messenger of God.”
- He confirmed that writing happened instantly after revelation, under direct supervision.
How did Zayd describe the process and physical experience of writing revelation?
” When the revelation came to him he felt intense heat and drops of sweat used to roll down his body like pearls. When this state was over I used to get a shoulder bone. He used to go on dictating and I used to write it down. When I finished writing the sheer weight of transcription gave me the feeling that my leg would break and I would not be able to walk anymore”
How were the memorized verses used to verify written records?
- Some companions memorized the Qur’an entirely.
- Their oral recitation was used to confirm the written texts after the Prophet’s (PBUH) death, ensuring authenticity.
