Recently, Indian authorities revealed the discovery of a Qur’anic manuscript dating back to the 17th century CE, found during an attempt by ten individuals to sell it for $770,000.
The manuscript consists of 604 pages, written in bold black script on gilded paper, with a gem-encrusted cover. Experts estimate its age at over 410 years, with the final page indicating it was transcribed in the year 1050 AH — shortly after the death of Emperor Akbar, who ruled India from 1556 to 1605.
This is not the first time ancient Qur’anic manuscripts have surfaced. Several countries have announced discoveries of copies dating as far back as the 1st and 2nd Hijri centuries — the earliest period of Islam. According to Prophetic biography, the revelation began between the years 610 and 632 CE.
Below are some of the most prominent Qur’anic manuscript discoveries in the world today:
The Birmingham Qur’anic Manuscript – United Kingdom
Researchers at the University of Birmingham announced the discovery of what is believed to be one of the oldest Qur’anic fragments known. Radiocarbon testing determined that the parchment is approximately 1,370 years old, placing it within 13 years of the Prophet Muhammad’s passing (peace be upon him).
The leaves had remained untouched for a century in the university’s archives until manuscript scholar and orientalist Alphonse Mingana examined them among a collection of 3,000 Middle Eastern documents. After testing at Oxford University, it was confirmed that the manuscript, written on sheepskin or goatskin, contains the oldest known preserved text of the Qur’an.
The Berlin Manuscript – Germany
In April this year, Germany’s Tübingen Library in Berlin uncovered a Qur’anic manuscript dated via radiocarbon testing in Switzerland to between 606 and 652 CE — either during the Prophet’s final years or within two decades after his death.
The manuscript had been purchased from the heirs of the orientalist Bernhard Moritz, who lived in Cairo from 1896 to 1911 and served as director of the Khedivial Library of Books and Documents.
It consists of seven parchment sheets containing verses from Surat An-Nisa’ and Al-Ma’idah, with clear signs of aging and wear. The director of the Oriental Collection at the Berlin State Library noted that these Qur’anic treasures offer vital insights into the early development of Arabic script and the process of Qur’anic compilation.
The Rhode Island Qur’anic Fragment – United States
In the United States, a Qur’anic manuscript written in Kufic script was discovered in an archaeological cemetery. Accelerated radiocarbon analysis at the University of Rhode Island confirmed that the animal-skin pages date back five centuries — before Christopher Columbus arrives in the Americas.
The excavation team also uncovered a ninth-century mass grave containing several sailors. Although the advanced decomposition of four skeletons made DNA testing difficult, severe tooth decay pointed to malnutrition or unknown disease.
Additional findings included fragments of clothing, rusted coins, and two heavily corroded swords. One preserved vessel, however, contained the valuable Qur’anic fragments, while another held spices that may be analysed to learn more about the region’s maritime inhabitants.
The Qur’anic School Manuscript – Thailand
Spanish media reported that researchers from the Universities of Málaga and Granada are studying a Qur’anic manuscript in a school in Narathiwat, southern Thailand. The copy is believed to originate from Muslim Andalusia and may be linked to the Andalusian military commander Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi.
The manuscript is currently held by Muhammad Lutfi, director of the Qur’anic school in Narathiwat. He stated that he received the manuscript from a Moroccan friend and admitted, “We lack the expertise and financial resources to preserve such old copies. I used to keep the manuscript at home. Now, thankfully, we have a dedicated storage space in the school.”
Lutfi believes the manuscript originally belonged to the famous Andalusian commander Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi.
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