Question
Kindly mention the Sahabah that assisted with the compilation of the Quran in the era of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and in the era of Sayyiduna ‘Uthman (radiyallahu ‘anhuma).
Answer
Sayyiduna Zayd ibn Thabit (radiyallahu ‘anhu) had begun the compilation of the Quran after Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) had ordered him to do so.
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr then kept those scrolls until he passed away. The scrolls were then passed on to Sayyiduna ‘Umar and then to Sayyidah Hafsah bint ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhum) after his demise.
During the Khilafah of Sayyiduna ‘Uthman, Sayyiduna Hudhayfah ibnul Yaman (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) had expressed some concerns, which prompted Sayyiduna ‘Uthman (radiyallahu ‘anhu) to make more copies of the Holy Quran. Sayyiduna ‘Uthman then commanded the following Sahabah to make copies of the initial compilation which was with Sayyidah Hafsah (radiyallahu ‘anha):
- Sayyiduna Zayd ibn Thabit
- Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Zubayr
- Sayyiduna Sa’id ibnul ‘As and
- ‘Abdur Rahman ibn Al Harith ibn Hisham (radiyallahu ‘anhum).
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) cites a narration which suggests that Sayyiduna ‘Uthman gathered twelve men, among them Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik, Sayyiduna Ubayy ibn Ka’b, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhum) as well as some Tabi’un to assist in the compilation.
References for all of the above:
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 4986 and 4987 and Fathul Bari)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar