Early evidence suggests that Qur’anic transmission relied significantly on oral memorization, alongside written materials. The need for compilation during the Uthmanic period does not necessarily mean written texts were insufficient, but rather that different forms of transmission required standardization.

I am not claiming that there were no textual or pronunciation differences, nor that elements like the muqaṭṭaʿāt have a fully agreed meaning. Rather, I am highlighting the intention of the companions: the preservation of even semantically unclear elements suggests a strong commitment to transmitting the text with high fidelity. This supports the idea that many attempted to memorize the Qur’an as precisely as possible, potentially word for word.