Abstract
Written compilation of the Quran was started in the life of the Prophet (PBUH) who had appointed permenant scribes (katibin) for the purpose. The form and time line of Quranic text has been studied a lot by classical and modern scholars known as ‘ilm rasm al-mushaf. The present article discusses the importance of the shape/consonantal skeleton of the ‘Uthmanic script of the Quran which was agreed upon by almost 12000 companions of the Prophet (PBUH) and preserved with great care till our day. It also explains view point of the four fiqhi madhahib on the subject. Later on it takles the study of two standard scripts of the Quran published by Pakistani companies, Taj and Anjuman-e-Himayat-e-Islam. The study points out that the masahif printed by these two companies are toatally authentic, especially that of Taj, which has properly been approved by Saudi based ‘Ulama and others and follow (predominantly) the method of Imam Dani and Imam Ibn Dawud in writing of some alphabets, which are two approved methos of the standard ‘Uthmanic sript of the Quran. Total deviation from these scripts and adoption of a new one in Pakistan may lead to social chaos and spread of sectarianism.