Imam Ali (AS) and the Forgotten Mushaf: Compiling, Presenting, and Rejection of the Original Quran

After the passing of Prophet Muhammad SAW, the Muslim community faced the urgent challenge of preserving the Quran in a unified form. While many companions had memorized portions of it, narrations from both Sunni and Shia traditions emphasize a unique effort by Imam Ali (AS). Immediately after the Prophet's death, Imam Ali (AS) secluded himself and dedicated his time to compiling the Quran in full. His mushaf was not only complete but also arranged in chronological order, accompanied by tafsir (interpretations) and notes on asbab al-nuzul (circumstances of revelation).

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When Imam Ali (AS) finished, he carried the mushaf to the rulers of that time and declared: “This is the Book of Allah as it was revealed to Muhammad SAW. I have compiled it.” Yet instead of being accepted, his offering was rejected with the words: “We do not need it.” Imam Ali (AS) is reported to have responded that this: Quran would remain hidden until it is revealed by his son, Imam al-Mahdi (AS).

This critical moment in Islamic history — preserved in Shia sources such as al-Kafi and al-Ihtijaj — leaves us with powerful questions: Why was the Quran of Imam Ali (AS) turned away? Who rejected it? And what became of the mushaf afterward?

In the following sections, we will examine the narrations in detail, exploring how Imam Ali (AS) compiled the Qur'an, when he presented it, and why it was rejected.

Imam Ali (AS) Compiling the Quran

According to both Sunni and Shia narrations, Imam Ali (AS) began compiling the Quran immediately after the passing of Prophet Muhammad SAW. Unlike other companions who relied on scattered parchments, memories, or partial notes, Imam Ali (AS) gathered every verse in its original revealed order.

Shia sources such as al-Kafi and al-Ihtijaj report that Imam Ali (AS) withdrew from public affairs for a period of time, devoting himself entirely to this task. His mushaf was unique in several ways:

Complete Collection – Every surah and ayah was included without omission.

Chronological Arrangement – Verses were ordered according to the sequence of revelation, not the order we know today.

Explanatory Notes – Imam Ali (AS) added commentary, including asbab al-nuzul (the occasions of revelation) and tafsir (interpretations given by the Prophet SAW himself).

Contextual Integrity – The mushaf provided historical and legal context, ensuring no verse could be misinterpreted outside its proper setting.

This effort was not simply a personal project. Imam Ali (AS) viewed it as a divine responsibility — preserving the Quran in its most authentic and comprehensive form, just as it was revealed.

Imam Ali (AS) Presents the Mushaf

After completing his work, Imam Ali (AS) brought the compiled Quran — his mushaf — to the government in Medina. This was shortly after the Prophet's SAW passing, during the early stages of political leadership

Shia sources, including al-Ihtijaj (al-Tabarsi), narrate that Imam Ali (AS) addressed them directly:

“This is the Book of Allah as it was revealed to Muhammad SAW. I have compiled it, with every verse in its place, along with the occasions of revelation.”

He intended for his mushaf to become the reference text for the Muslim community, safeguarding it from confusion or alteration.

However, the Rulers reportedly declined to accept it, saying:

“We don’t need it.”

This rejection marked a turning point. Imam Ali (AS) then declared that the mushaf would remain hidden until the time of the awaited savior, Imam al-Mahdi (AS), who would reintroduce it to the world.

The Rejection of Imam Ali's Mushaf

The rejection of Imam Ali's (AS) mushaf is one of the most debated events in Islamic history. According to Shia sources, when Imam Ali (AS) presented the compiled Quran, the leading People in power — those changing the political and religious order after the Prophet's SAW death — refused to adopt it.

They reportedly responded:

“We don’t need it.”

This was not simply a dismissal of a book but a political statement. Accepting Imam Ali's mushaf would have meant appreciated his unique authority and unmatched knowledge of revelation. By declining, the leadership avoided tying the Quran's preservation to Imam Ali's (AS) position, which could have strengthened his claim to rightful leadership (Imamate).

Imam Ali (AS), in response, declared:

“By Allah, you will never see it again until my son al-Mahdi brings it.”

From then onward, the mushaf was withdrawn from public view. Shia traditions hold that it has remained hidden, preserved with the Imams (AS), and will be unveiled when Imam al-Mahdi (AS) reappears.

Questions That Arise

Who were those rulers or government figures whose names Imam Ali's Quran reportedly contained as criticism and exposure?

Did the rejection of Imam Ali's mushaf happen only to protect the political order of that time, keeping Muslims away from the original version for over 1400 years?

If so, will those who prevented its acceptance carry the sin of depriving the Ummah from the full revelation?

Was Imam Ali's mushaf the one that included the names of the 12 hypocrites (munafiqeen) that Prophet Muhammad SAW had confidentially informed Huzaifa ibn al-Yaman (RA) about?

Imam Mahdi (AS) truly has the original Quran, then where is it today and in what form is it preserved?

When will Imam Mahdi (AS) appear, and will he bring forth this Quran as Imam Ali (AS) foretold?

According to different narrations, how many ayats were originally revealed in the Quran, and does this match the current count?

Conclusion

The narrations about Imam Ali (AS) and his mushaf open up one of the most sensitive yet crucial debates in Islamic history. According to both Sunni and Shia sources, Imam Ali (AS) compiled the Quran immediately after the Prophet's SAW passing and presented it, only to face rejection. If true, this means that political concerns may have overshadowed the preservation of what he considered the complete version of revelation.

Up until now in our Quran and Zikr series, we have shown from Sunni sources that the Quran as it exists today raises questions about missing surahs, verses, and differences noted by companions. In this part, we brought in Shia narrations highlighting Imam Ali's mushaf and its rejection. In the next part, we will continue with the Shia perspective, examining its link to Imam Mahdi (AS). We will also study what later Imams—such as Imam al-Baqir (AS) and Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (AS)—said about the Quran, including the famous narration that the original Qur'an contained 17,000 verses. By comparing these testimonies, we can open a window into how Shia scholarship understood revelation, preservation, and the awaited unveiling of the complete Quran by Imam Mahdi (AS).

Only by looking at both sides can we move closer to uncovering the truth, with Allah's guidance.