<h3>What is Ulum al-Quran?</h3><p><strong>Ulum al-Quran</strong> means the sciences or branches of knowledge connected to the Holy Quran. These sciences answer questions such as: How was the Quran revealed? How was it preserved? What is the meaning of its verses, and how should it be recited?</p><p>The Quran was revealed to Prophet <strong>Muhammad (peace be upon him)</strong> over roughly twenty-three years. Some chapters were revealed in <strong>Makkah</strong> and others in <strong>Madinah</strong>, and knowing which is which helps us understand the themes of faith, worship and law.</p><h3>Preservation of the Quran</h3><p>From the very beginning the Quran was preserved in two ways: <strong>memorisation</strong> by the companions, who were called the <em>huffaz</em>, and <strong>writing</strong> on materials available at the time. After the Prophet's death the verses were gathered together, and during the leadership of Caliph <strong>Uthman ibn Affan</strong> a single agreed written copy, the <strong>Mushaf</strong>, was produced and distributed.</p><h3>Key branches</h3><ul><li><strong>Asbab al-Nuzul</strong> – the occasions or reasons behind the revelation of particular verses.</li><li><strong>Makki and Madani</strong> – classifying chapters by where they were revealed.</li><li><strong>Tajwid</strong> – the rules of correct and beautiful recitation.</li><li><strong>Tafsir</strong> – explanation and interpretation of the meanings.</li></ul><div class="callout"><strong>Kenyan context:</strong> In madrasas across Mombasa, Lamu and Nairobi, learners still begin with memorisation of short surahs before learning Tajwid, exactly as the early companions combined memory and writing. Many Kenyan reciters take part in the national Quran recitation competitions organised during the holy month of Ramadhan, showing how the science of Tajwid keeps the recitation accurate today.</div>