The Quran Museum in Mecca Displays a Rare Manuscript from the 3rd Century AH

The Quran Museum in Mecca Displays a Rare Manuscript from the 3rd Century AH

The Quran Museum, located in the cultural district of Hira in Mecca, is currently exhibiting a rare page from the Holy Quran dating back to the 3rd century AH, corresponding to the 9th century CE. This exhibit is part of their collection that documents the stages of Quranic manuscript writing and its development over the ages.

The manuscript includes a portion of Surah Maryam and is written on parchment with red ink. The text lacks dots and diacritical marks, which are characteristic features of the early stages of Quranic writing.

According to the museum’s curators, the manuscript holds historical and academic significance due to its writing and material features. Parchment was one of the primary materials used for transcribing Qurans during that period. The absence of dots and diacritical marks reflects an aspect of the evolution of the methods used to ensure the accuracy of Quranic text in the early Islamic centuries.

The displayed piece is part of the collection of the King Fahd National Library. Its exhibition allows visitors to closely examine models of historical Quranic manuscripts and the journey of documenting and preserving the Holy Quran.

The Quran Museum is one of the main attractions in the cultural district of Hira, located at the base of Mount Hira in Mecca. It houses a variety of historical manuscripts and Qurans, alongside educational and visual displays and interactive technologies that highlight the history of the Quran and its documentation stages.

Through its exhibits, the museum aims to familiarize the visitors of Mecca and the pilgrims with the Quranic heritage and the history of Quran writing, providing a cultural and educational experience tied to the location that witnessed the beginning of the revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).