In the heart of Central Asia, hidden in the old quarter of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, lies one of Islam’s most revered books — the Othman Quran, widely believed to be the oldest surviving copy of the Quran in the world. Housed in the Barak-Khan Madrassah, this manuscript not only embodies spiritual devotion but also serves as a powerful reminder of the region’s rich Islamic heritage.

According to Muslim belief, the Qur’an is the literal word of God, revealed in Arabic to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is described within its own verses as a divine revelation, a clear guidance for humanity, a reminder of God’s mercy, and a criterion for distinguishing right from wrong. Quran 2:2

The Othman Quran, also known as the Mushaf of Uthman, is attributed to the third caliph of Islam, Uthman ibn Affan. Compiled in 651 CE, just 19 years after the death of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, it represents the first standardized version of the Quran.

Before this compilation, the Quran was memorized or written in fragments on wood, bones, and parchment. To preserve the divine message and avoid disputes, Uthman (ra) commissioned a team led by Zayd ibn Thabit (ra) to compile an official version. Once completed, Uthman ordered multiple copies to be sent to the main cities of the Muslim empire, while keeping one for himself.

Tragically, Caliph Uthman (ra) was assassinated while reading from his personal copy, leaving a bloodstain on its pages. That sacred manuscript, believed to be the very one preserved in Tashkent today, was originally written in early Hejazi script on deerskin. Approximately one-third of the original text — around 250 pages — remains intact.

The Quran’s journey to Tashkent is a tale of survival and reverence. After Uthman’s death, the manuscript is said to have been taken to Kufa, Iraq, and later captured by the legendary Central Asian conqueror, Tamerlane (Timur), who brought it to Samarkand in the 14th century. When Russian forces seized Samarkand in the 19th century, the manuscript was transferred to the Imperial Library in St. Petersburg.

Despite the Soviet Union’s secular stance, Lenin made a strategic decision to return the Quran to the Muslims of Central Asia in 1924, in an effort to gain their support. After brief stops in Ufa and other locations, the manuscript was finally brought to Tashkent, where it remains to this day.

Currently, the Othman Quran is housed in a glass chamber inside the Mui-Mubarak Madrassah in the Hast-Imam complex, a quiet and unassuming district of old Tashkent. The complex, which also contains a sacred hair of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, attracts a steady stream of pilgrims, scholars, and tourists, though it remains somewhat underpublicized due to lingering post-Soviet caution around Islamic identity.

Despite its obscurity, the manuscript holds profound cultural and religious significance. It is a vivid testament to the unbroken transmission of the Quranic text for over 14 centuries. Every verse and stroke penned in this ancient copy connects believers across time and geography to the original revelation received by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Osman’s Quran is more than a relic; it is a living symbol of the unity, resilience, and continuity of the Islamic tradition. Its presence in Tashkent places Uzbekistan firmly on the map of Islamic history and offers a spiritual beacon for generations to come.