The Historical Authority of the Mushaf: Codification, Transmission, and Legitimacy of the Qur'an

Abstract

This study examines the historical authority of the Mushaf through an analysis of the processes of codification, transmission, and legitimacy of the Qur'an within the early Muslim community. The research aims to explore how the Qur'anic text evolved from an orally transmitted revelation into an authoritative written corpus and how its authenticity and legitimacy were established and preserved across generations. Employing a qualitative historical approach, the study draws upon classical Islamic sources, including ḥadīth literature, works on ʿulūm al-Qur’ān, and early historical accounts, complemented by contemporary academic scholarship on Qur'anic studies. The findings indicate that the authority of the Mushaf was shaped through a complex interaction between oral and written modes of preservation. The codification efforts initiated during the caliphates of Abu Bakr and ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān played a pivotal role in standardizing the Qur'anic text and preventing textual divergence among expanding Muslim communities. Furthermore, the continuous transmission of the Qur'an through both memorization (ḥifẓ) and manuscript traditions reinforced its reliability and authenticity. The legitimacy of the Mushaf was not solely derived from political authority but was also sustained by broad communal consensus (ijmāʿ), scholarly verification, and the religious conviction that the Qur'an represents the preserved word of God. This study concludes that the historical authority of the Mushaf emerged from an integrated process of codification, transmission, and communal acceptance, which collectively ensured the preservation and legitimacy of the Qur'anic text throughout Islamic history. These findings contribute to contemporary discussions on the textual history, authenticity, and authority of the Qur'an within both Islamic and academic discourses.