The revelations made to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) through Archangel Gabrial were in the form of short verses which were memorized by the Prophet and immediately dictated to designated scribes. This process of writing every revelation on pieces of parchment, leather, wood etc., continued till the full text of the Qur’an was revealed. Simultaneously the believers were asked to memorize parts of the text or the whole Qur’an, as one could manage to do. This important function was considered to be a matter that is rewarded by Allah. In addition to these measures to preserve the authenticity of the Qur’an, it was made obligatory for every Muslim to recite some verses of his choice from the Holy Qur’an during prayers offered five times a day. Thus every Muslim memorised at least some verses, while there were many who memorised the whole Qur’an. Through this practice, by the time of death of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), there was a large number of people who knew the Qur’an by heart. There were therefore no chances left for corruption of the original text. While offering congregational prayers in mosques, the prayer leader recited the verses aloud. If he committed any mistake during such recitals, others corrected it immediately. Any mistake or omission made while reading or verbally reciting the Holy Qur’an is considered sacrilegious and therefore the Muslims are very cautious in learning it correctly. It is also an established fact that at any point of time during the past and presently, there have been and still are hundreds of thousands of Muslim all over the world, who learn the total Holy Quran by heart and the number is increasing day by day.

After the death of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the First Khalifa (CALIPH) Hazrat Abu Bakar, got all the written ‘parchments’ collected and compiled in a book form. This copy was left by him with Hazrat Umar, the second Khalifa. Before his death Hazrat Umar left it with his daughter Hazrat Hafsa, who was also one of the wives of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Later on, the third Khalifa, Hazrat Usman, got this copy from Hazrat Hafsa and prepared four (some say seven) authenticated copies which were sent to different provincial governors. One of these is still available in Tashkent, another at Istanbul and the third one at the India Office Library in London. Copies of the Holy Qur’an being printed all over the world since then are the authenticated copies of the same original text. Authentication of any new print has to be done by at least two Huffaz (persons who have memorised the Qur’an by heart), taking guidance from some old authenticated print.

These were the steps taken to secure the authenticity of the Holy Qur’an, however much more important is the declaration of Allah in the Qur’an, that He Himself shall protect it from any adulteration.