The Compilation Method of the Qur’an (A Historical Study of the Language of the Qur’an)

Abstract

This study focuses on examining the process of revelation and the oral tradition in the compilation of the Qur’an, highlighting how the interaction between oral transmission, written recording, and the codification of the muṣḥaf during the era of the Khulafā’ al-Rāshidīn became crucial mechanisms in preserving the authenticity of the revealed text. The research method employed is a qualitative approach using library research, analyzing both classical and contemporary literature that discusses the historical, linguistic, and epistemological aspects of the Qur’an. The findings show that gradual revelation, collective memorization, and early documentation were synergistic strategies that ensured the transmission of revelation remained authentic and preserved, even when confronted with challenges such as variations in dialects and qirā’āt. Furthermore, this research affirms that the Qur’an functions not only as a religious text but also as an instrument of linguistic reform that standardized Classical Arabic and became the foundation of the Islamic intellectual tradition. The implications of this study provide new insights for the development of Qur’anic exegesis, Arabic linguistics, and the intellectual history of Islam, as well as open opportunities for interdisciplinary approaches in understanding the dynamics of revelation and the codification of the sacred text.