Zayd ibn Thabit: The scribe of revelation and architect of the Quran
Zayd ibn Thabit ibn Al-Dhahhak was one of the most distinguished and trusted companions of the Prophet Muhammad. A leading figure from the Ansar of Madinah, he is eternally celebrated for his major role in the preservation of the Quran and his mastery of Islamic jurisprudence.
Early life and background
Zayd belonged to the respected tribe of Banu Al-Najjar, a prominent clan of the Ansar. He was presented to the Prophet after the Hijrah while still a bright youth of just eleven years old. Recognizing his potential, the Prophet assigned him a critical task: to learn the writing and language of the Quraysh.
Zayd applied himself with such dedication that he mastered it in an astonishingly short period, a skill that would define his legacy.
He was known by the honorific titles Abu Sa‘id and Abu Kharijah. He was a family man, blessed with sons named Ibrahim, Abdul Rahman, and Muhammad, and a daughter named Umm Al-Hasan.
His roles in Islamic history
- The trusted scribe of revelation
Due to his proficiency in writing, his trustworthiness, and his proximity to the Prophet, Zayd was appointed as one of the primary scribes of the divine revelation. Despite his youth, he was chosen for this immense responsibility over older companions. He would be called upon to transcribe the verses of the Quran as they were revealed, as well as to draft the Prophet’s letters to rulers and tribes. Alongside companions like Ubayy ibn Ka’b, he became a central figure in the documentation of the revelation.
- The architect of the official Quranic Codex
His most enduring legacy came during the caliphate of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq. Following the martyrdom of many Quran memorizers in the Battle of Yamama, Umar ibn al-Khattab feared the Quran could be lost. He proposed to Abu Bakr that the revelation be compiled into a single, authoritative volume.
Abu Bakr entrusted this monumental task to Zayd ibn Thabit. Initially hesitant to undertake something the Prophet had not explicitly done, Zayd was persuaded by the gravity of the situation. He undertook the work with meticulous care, not relying on his own memory alone but gathering written fragments and cross-referencing them with the memories of known memorizers. The result was the first official, compiled codex (mushaf) of the Quran, which was kept in the trust of Abu Bakr, then Umar, and eventually Uthman.
- The authority on inheritance law (Al-Fara’id)
Zayd was the undisputed master of the Islamic science of inheritance (Fara’id). The Prophet himself had instructed the Muslims: “Learn the Quran from four: Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, Salim the freed slave of Abu Hudhaifah, Ubayy ibn Ka’b, and Mu’adh ibn Jabal.” In another narration, Zayd is included among these primary teachers.
His expertise was so profound that he was considered the leading authority on the matter. He famously stated, and the community affirmed, that knowledge of inheritance laws is “half of all knowledge,” as it governs the distribution of wealth after death—a fundamental aspect of community life. The Caliphs Umar and Uthman would consistently refer questions on inheritance to him, and his legal opinions (fatwas) were held in the highest regard.
- A trusted Deputy of the Caliphs
Reflecting the immense trust he commanded, Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab appointed Zayd as his deputy in Madinah on multiple occasions, including during Umar’s pilgrimages and his journey to Syria. This tradition was continued by Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, who also appointed Zayd as his deputy during his Hajj pilgrimages.
His passing and legacy
Zayd ibn Thabit passed away in the year 45 AH. He was washed, shrouded, and buried with the honour and respect befitting a giant of Islam.
