7. The Oral Character of Early Qur'anic Transmission
The very word Qurʾān is connected with recitation.
The early Muslim community therefore preserved the revelation through extensive memorization and recitation.
The Qur'an itself says: “It is certainly upon Us to ˹make you˺ memorize and recite it. So once We have recited a revelation ˹through Gabriel˺, follow its recitation ˹closely˺.” —Qur'an 75:17–18.
From a historical perspective, oral transmission was not an accidental feature of early Islam. It was built into the way the Qur'an was experienced.
The Prophet recited the revelations.
The companions listened.
They memorized them.
They recited them in prayer.
They taught them to others.
And at the same time, revelations were committed to writing.
In this way, the Holy Quran was preserved—both through memorization and in written form—during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
