Samarkand Kufic Quran (Uthman Quran)

This folio comes from one of the oldest surviving Qur’an manuscripts in existence.
Year Written: c.765 AD – 855 AD
Language: Arabic
Script Type: Kufic
Current Location: Hast Imam Library, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

For several years, prior to research conducted in the last few decades, the Samarkand Kufic Quran, was thought to be the oldest copies of the Quran in existence. The date the manuscript was written varies widely from between 595 AD – 855 AD. However, most researchers agree that it was most likely written in the 8th or 9th century.

This manuscript is revered by the Muslim community as it is believed to be part of a group of Qurans commissioned by the third caliph Uthman in 651 AD. Uthman wanted to produce a standard copy of the Quran 19 years after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. This belief has been challenged by research that shows the manuscript came long after the 7th century.