A muṣḥaf (Arabic: مصحف‎, Arabic pronunciation: [ˈmʊsˤħaf] with the ṣ and ḥ as two separate consonants, not *mʊʃaf) is a codex or collection of sheets (ṣaḥīfah, see below). The Qur’an, which Muslims believe to have been revealed at various times and in various ways during the 23-year period at the end of Muhammad's life, was collected into a codex under the third Caliph, ‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān.^[1].

The Islamic term al-Qur’ān means 'the Recitation', denoting its content. When referring to the physical bound volume, some use the term muṣḥaf.

The Qur'an refers to itself as kitāb, not as muṣḥaf. Noting this, some scholars have argued that in the Qur'an does not present itself as a "book", which implies it is finished and complete, so much as a "scripture", something written or communicated, which gives it more dynamism and life. The Qur'an speaks of itself as having been a kitāb even before it was put into writing. ^[2]

This use has led to a misconception: Some believe the Mushaf of Fatimah to mean the "Qur'an of Fatimah", thus accusing the Shi‘ah of believing in a special Qur'an.

Muṣḥaf al-Tajwīd, printed with colored letters to facilitate reading the Qur’an with tajwid.

Al-Islam.org writes:

[edit] References

1. ^ Wheller, Brannon M. Prophets in the Quran: An Introduction to the Quran and Muslim Exegesis, Continuum Books, 2002, p. 5.
2. ^ Madigan, Daniel. The Qur'an's Self-Image: Writing and Authority in Islam's Scripture, Princeton University Press, 2001.
3. ^ The Book of Fatimah (AS)