Page 14 - Ulum Al Quran An Introduction To The Sciences Of The Quran

CHAPTER 2 : Transmission of the Qur'anic Revelation

The revelation contained in the Qur'an has been transmitted to us by numerous persons in two ways: orally and in
written form.

MEMORISATION AND ORAL TRANSMISSION
Memorization by the Prophet

Oral transmission of the revelation was based on hifz or memorization and the Prophet Muhammad himself was the first
to commit a revelation to memory after the Angel Gabriel had brought it to him:

'Move not thy tongue concerning the (Qur'an) to make haste therewith. It is for Us to collect
it and promulgate it; but when We have promulgated it, follow thou its recital' (75: 16-19)
'... an apostle from God, rehearsing scriptures, kept pure and holy ...' (98: 2)

Memorisation by the Companions

The Prophet then declared the revelation and instructed his Companions to memorise it. The case of Ibn Mas'ud, who
was the first man to publicly recite the Qur'an in Makka, shows that even in the very early phase of the Islamic umma
recital of the revelation from memory was practised by the Companions:

'... the first man to speak the Qur'an loudly in Makka after the apostle was 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud. The
Prophet's Companions came together and mentioned that the Quraish had never heard the Qur'an
distinctly read to them ... When (Ibn Mas'ud) arrived at the maqam, he read "In the name of God the
Compassionate the Merciful", raising his voice as he did so. "The Compassionate who taught the
Qur'an ..." (55:1) ... They got up and began to hit him in the face; but he continued to read so far as
God willed that he should read ... [Guillaume, E.: The Life of Muhammad (abbr. as Ibn Hisham), London,
55, pp. 141-2; Ibn Hisham: Sira al-nabi, Cairo, n.d., 1, p.206.]

It is also reported that Abu Bakr used to recite the Qur'an publicly in front of his house in Makka. [Sira Ibn Hisham, The
Life of Muhammad]

The Prophet encourages Memorisation

There are numerous ahadith, giving account of various efforts made and measures taken by the Prophet to ensure that
the revelation was preserved in the memory of his Com- panions. The following is perhaps the most clear:

'Narrated 'Uthman bin 'Affan: The Prophet said: "The most superior among you (Muslims) are those who
learn the Qur'an and teach it".' [Bukhari, VI, No. 546.]

It is also well known that the recital of the Qur'an during the daily prayers is required and hence many Companions heard
repeatedly passages from the revelation, memorized them and used them in prayer.
The Prophet also listened to the recitation of the Qur'an by the Companions.

Narrated 'Abdullah (b. Mas'ud): 'Allah's Apostle said to me: "Recite (of the Qur'an) for me". I said: "Shall
I recite it to you although it had been revealed to you?!" He said: "I like to hear (the Qur'an) from
others". So I recited Surat-an-Nisa' till I reached: "How (will it be) then when We bring from each
nation a witness and We bring you (O Muhammad) as a witness against these people?" ' (4:
41). 'Then he said: "Stop!" Behold, his eyes were shedding tears then.' [Bukhari, VI, No. 106.]

The Prophet sent Teachers

The Prophet sent teachers to communities in other places so that they might receive instruction in Islam and the Qur'an.

The case of Mus'ab bin 'Umair illustrates that this was so even before the hijra:
'When these men (of the first pledge of 'Aqaba) left (for Madina) the apostle sent with them Mus'ab bin
'Umair ... and instructed him to read the Qur'an to them and to teach them Islam and to give them
instruction about religion. In Madina Musiab was called "the reader".' [Ibn Hisham, p. 199.]