Al-Mushaf Al-Sharif Attributed to Uthman bin Affan (The copy at the Topkapı Palace Museum)

This book contains a scholarly study on a copy of the Holy Quran attributed to the time of the Caliph Othman bin Affan RA and located in the Topkapı Palace Museum. The copy has been prepared for publication with a study by Dr. Tayyar Altıkulaç, a leading scholar in Quranic studies, ex-President of Religious Affairs in Türkiye. The “Othman RA Mushaf” also known as the “Topkap1 Mushaf” and kept in nr. H.S. 44/32 in the Museum, is one of the oldest manuscripts of the Holy Quran that reached our time. Dr. Altıkulaç has done a meticulous comparative study and technical analysis of the copy. The Introduction explains the method followed and evaluates the findings obtained. Dr. Altıkulac; further enriches this instructive text with information on the history of Quran copying and recitation. With only two pages (23 verses) lacking, this is one of the copies closest to complete. As the author indicates with examples, certain parts of the manuscript had become illegible due to the effects of time. With patient and careful research, he was able to decipher the positions of those parts of the verses on the basis of certain criteria and signs. The funding for the printing of this book was provided by H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed al-Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Sharjah.