Was a verse of the chapter of al-Ahzab not included in the Mushaf of Hafsa?

- Zayd, who was in charge of reproducing the Quran during the caliphate of Uthman (ra), saw that verse 23 (I think) of the chapter of al-Ahzab was not included in the copy of the Quran Hafsa had and found that verse with Khuzayma and added it. How can it be possible?
- How is it possible for that verse not to be included in the Mushaf of Hafsa, which was the first Mushaf?

Dear Brother / Sister,

That verse was definitely included in the Mushaf of Hafsa. However, Zayd also wanted a written source for each verse besides some conditions. He made that statement for the written source he found about the issue mentioned in the question.

Although Zayd b. Thabit, who was the head of the committee, which was established for the compilation of the Quran, in all three stages, was a hafiz, he based this work of the compilation of the Quran on two criteria. Those two fairly objective criteria were as follows:

The First: To determine the verses by referring to the writing materials in the way the Prophet (pbuh) made his revelation scribes write them. And while determining the materials, to seek the condition that it had to be confirmed by the testimony of two witnesses.

The Second: To apply to the knowledge of hafizes who knew the Quran by heart. (see Zarqani, Manahilul-İrfan, 1/285)

- It is clearly understood from Zayd’s saying, “a verse I have lost / cannot find from the chapter of al-Ahzab, which I heard the Messenger of Allah recite many times...” in the narration in question that he knew that verse by heart, but he wanted to see it in writing. Otherwise, how did he know about the existence of such a verse?

Moreover, when he said “I found it with or next to Abu Khuzayma or Khuzayma”, he meant that he found it there “in written form”. (see Ibn Hajar, 8/518; Manahil, ibid)

- It seems that though Zayd based this last work on the Mushaf of Hafsa, he laid the existence of verses in “writing” determined by two witnesses as a condition. That is although it existed in the Mushaf in question, he also applied to “the knowledge of hafizes who knew the Quran by heart and two witnesses with writing materials” in order to reinforce this work.

As a matter of fact, that Zayd said, “I could not find this verse with anyone except Khuzayma” is a clear indication of it.

- However, as it is understood from the narrations, the committee that compiled the Quran during the caliphate of Uthman (ra), referred not only to the pages of Hafsa, but also to the pages written during the caliphate of Abu Bakr (ra), and even the pages that some people wrote for themselves until that day. (cf. Subhi Salih, Mabahith, 1/80-83)

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Will you give detailed information about the Quran’s being written, compiled and arranged as a book?

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