- published: 19 Apr 2016
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A mus'haf (Arabic: مصحف, Arabic pronunciation: [ˈmʊsˤħaf] with the ṣ and ḥ as two separate consonants, not *mʊʃaf) is a codex or collection of sheets (sahifah, see below). The Qur'an, which Muslims believe to have been revealed at various times and in various ways during the 23-year period at the end of Muhammad's life, was collected into a codex under the third Caliph, Uthman ibn Affan.
The Islamic term al-Qur’ān means 'the Recitation', denoting its content. When referring to the physical bound volume, some use the term mushaf.
The Qur'an refers to itself as kitab, not as mus'haf. Noting this, some scholars have argued that in the Qur'an does not present itself as a "book", which implies it is finished and complete, so much as a "scripture", something written or communicated, which gives it more dynamism and life. The Qur'an speaks of itself as having been a kitab even before it was put into writing.
This use has led to a misconception: Some believe the Mushaf of Fatimah to mean the "Qur'an of Fatimah", thus accusing the Shia of believing in a special Qur'an.
Mus may refer to: