The term "scribes of the Quran" refers to the group of the people that were involved in inscribing the Quran during the period of its revelation (circa 609-632 CE). Some scholars believe that during the lifetime of prophet Muhammad several individuals including Zayd ibn Thabit, Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, Abdullah ibn Sa'd and Ubay ibn Ka'b were involved in scribing and recorded verses of the Quran.
The Pre-Islamic Arabia was predominantly oral, various forms of writing, including rock inscriptions, graffiti, and occasional papyrus documents did exist. Since, the writing was not widespread in the Arab society and culture during the time of Muhammad; he would recite the Quranic verses to his Companions for them to memorize and when possible have them write these verses down on pieces of bones, parchments, palm leaves, stones, and some other material.
Diffrent Muslim historians provide different number (26-42) of the Wahy scribes, but some of these companions are confirmed by all. There seems to have been three different groups of companions or people who are known to have scribed the revelations of Quran. Some of these people were permanent and some kept changing. The first group was during the Mecca period, second was after the flight to Medina (Hijrah), and the third one was organized after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
circa 609-632 CE
Following is a tentative and non-exhaustive list of the companions based on Zad al-Ma'ad Fi Hadyi Khair Al 'Ibaad, the work of Imam Ibn al-Qayyim;
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The Madain Project is an online archive of Abrahamic History and Archaeology.
Abrahamic History & Archaeology is the study of history and archaeology with respect to the three Abrahamic Faiths without considering the religious and theological aspects. The goal of Abrahamic History is to understand how and why the religious doctrines and behaviours have evlovled and changed over time. Searching for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why and how these have influenced the three major Abrahamic religions.
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