The Oldest Quran Manuscripts in the World: A Deep Dive Into History, Preservation, and Faith

The Quran is not only the most memorized book in history, but also among the best-preserved scriptures in human civilization. Revered as the literal Word of God by over 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, its transmission—both oral and written—has fascinated scholars for centuries. But what are the oldest Quran manuscripts? When was the Quran first written? And is the original Quran still in existence? In this article, we explore the most ancient Quran manuscripts ever discovered, examine what they tell us about Quranic preservation, and unravel facts about the Quran's historical journey through ink, parchment, and faith.

Who Wrote the Quran and When Was It First Written?

Muslims believe the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over 23 years, beginning in 610 CE. The Prophet himself did not author the Quran; rather, he received its verses through the Angel Jibril (Gabriel). Companions known as scribes of revelation wrote down the verses on bones, leather, and parchment. After the Prophet's passing in 632 CE, the first caliph, Abu Bakr, ordered a compiled version, which was later standardized during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan around 651 CE. This standardized copy is often called the Uthmanic Codex.

So when was the Quran first written? Technically, during the Prophet's lifetime—but the first complete book form came shortly after.

Top 12 Oldest Quran Manuscripts (with Dates, Scripts, and Locations)

Below is a chronological exploration of the oldest Quran manuscripts known to us, based on radiocarbon dating, script analysis, and scholarly consensus.

1. Birmingham Quran Manuscript (568–645 CE)

• Location: University of Birmingham, UK

• Script: Hijazi

• Content: Surahs 18, 19, and 20

• Significance: Possibly predates Caliph Uthman. Radiocarbon dating suggests it may have been written during the Prophet’s lifetime.

• This Birmingham manuscript Quran shows how early Muslims preserved the Quran in both oral and written forms.

2. Sana’a Manuscripts (632–671 CE)

• Location: Great Mosque of Sana’a, Yemen

• Script: Hijazi

• Significance: Found in 1972, these manuscripts include a palimpsest—an overwritten text—with an undertext that may represent a pre-Uthmanic version.

• These Sana manuscripts provide deep insight into early scribal practices.

3. Tübingen Fragment (649–675 CE)

• Location: University of Tübingen, Germany

• Script: Hijazi

• Significance: Carbon dated to just decades after Prophet Muhammad’s death, showing the Quran’s rapid transcription.

4. Topkapi Manuscript (651–mid-8th century CE)

• Location: Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul, Turkey

• Script: Kufic

• Content: Over 99% of the Quran

• Significance: One of the most complete ancient Quran manuscripts. Once attributed to Uthman himself.

5. Samarkand Kufic Quran (610–855 CE)

• Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan

• Script: Early Kufic

• Content: ~81% of the Quran

• Significance: Revered as a copy from the time of Caliph Uthman, though radiocarbon dating places it slightly later. This is one of the most visually stunning kufic Quran examples.

6. Codex Parisino-Petropolitanus (Late 7th Century CE)

• Location: Paris, St. Petersburg, London, Vatican

• Script: Hijazi

• Content: ~88% of the Quran

• Significance: Dated to the first century Hijra, showing high textual consistency with today’s Quran.

7. The Quran of Uthman (Cairo Copy) (651–705 CE)

• Location: Al-Hussein Mosque, Cairo

• Script: Kufic

• Content: ~99% of the Quran

• Significance: Though disputed, this is one of the most famous manuscripts linked to the original Quran copies sent out by Caliph Uthman.

8. Codex Mashhad (1st Century Hijra)

• Location: Astan-i Quds Library, Mashhad, Iran

• Script: Hijazi

• Content: >90% of the Quran

• Significance: This manuscript follows the surah order attributed to Ibn Mas’ud before later emendations.

9. Codex Ṣanʿāʾ DAM 01-25.1

• Location: Dar al-Makhtutat, Yemen

• Script: Hijazi

• Content: Partial text but includes Surah al-Fatiha—rare among earliest manuscripts.

10. The ‘Great Umayyad Qur’an’ (710–715 CE)

• Location: Sana’a, Yemen

• Script: Early Kufic

• Significance: Features rare full-page illustrations. Possibly the most ornate Quran of the Umayyad era.

11. Codex Arabe 328c (568–645 CE)

• Location: Paris and Birmingham

• Script: Hijazi

• Content: ~8.3% of the Quran

• Significance: Shares similarities with the Birmingham manuscript, supporting its antiquity.

12. Chester Beatty Quran (625–725 CE)

• Location: Chester Beatty Library, Dublin

• Script: Hijazi

• Content: Multiple surahs, fragmented

• Significance: Shows script from early Hijazi Quran tradition, written before the Kufic style dominated.

Preservation, Transmission, and Unity of the Quran

One might ask: Has the Quran been changed? These manuscripts—spanning countries and centuries—show a remarkable uniformity in content. Despite minor differences in vowelization or script style, the Quranic text remains intact. Modern textual studies confirm that these ancient Quran manuscripts closely match today’s standardized text.

This uniformity, combined with the Quran’s memorization tradition, shows why Muslims believe the original Quran remains unchanged.

Where Is the Original Quran Today?

The exact first Quran book compiled under Caliph Uthman may not have survived in a single location. However, several early copies—like the Topkapi manuscript, Samarkand Quran, and Cairo mushaf—are considered part of the first wave of standard copies. In a sense, pieces of the original are scattered across museums and libraries around the world.

Timeline Infographic (Text Format)

Common Questions About Ancient Quran Manuscripts

Q1: Is the original Quran still in existence?

While the Prophet’s own handwritten Quran does not exist, early manuscripts dating back to his era do. Copies from the Uthmanic standardization survive in various forms.

Q2: Who wrote the Quran?

Muslims believe God revealed the Quran, which was recorded by scribes like Zayd ibn Thabit during the Prophet’s lifetime.

Q3: What is the oldest Quran in the world?

The Birmingham Quran manuscript and Sana’a palimpsest are contenders for the world’s oldest Quran, both dating close to the Prophet’s era.

Q4: How old is the Quran?

The Quran was first revealed in 610 CE and completed in 632 CE. Manuscripts confirm this timeline, showing no major changes over 1,400 years.

Q5: What is older: the Quran or the Bible?

In terms of first written texts, the Bible predates the Quran. However, the Quran has remained unchanged in text since its revelation, unlike many versions of the Bible.

Conclusion: A Legacy Written in Ink and Memorized in Hearts

These ancient Quran manuscripts—from the Birmingham Quran to the Topkapi Mushaf—are not just archaeological treasures. They are tangible evidence of a faith’s resilience and a community’s devotion. Each folio from a Quran, each dot and stroke in the Hijazi or Kufic script, is a link in the chain of preservation.

Whether you're a historian, a Muslim, or a curious reader, exploring these old Quran manuscripts is like walking back in time to witness the sacred text’s earliest physical forms. These manuscripts remind us that the Quran original language remains alive today, recited daily by millions exactly as it was over 1,400 years ago.