Compilation of the Holy Quran

One of his major achievements is the compilation of the Holy Quran in a book form.The revelation of the Quran had been finalized during Prophet's time.The Muslims had been preserving the various Surahs on wooden pieces,stone slabs,camel skins,bark of the palm tree,pieces of paper, etc.In addition several Huffaz of the Holy book had also emerged during the meantime.However,many a Hafiz had been martyred in various battles.A serious danger had thus arisen about the possible future loss of some portions of the Holy Book.
  Caliph Abu Bakr felt greatly perturbed over the situation.Hadrat Zaid bin Thabit was one of the scribes of the revelations during the Prophet's times.The Caliph directed him to collect all the Quranic verses from all different sources and to compile them in one place on the form of one complete Book.The frontiers of the Muslim state were expanding at a rapid rate.The proposed compilation was intented to help the Quran readers in all parts of the expanding state.The entire project was finalized later under the supervision and guidance of the third Caliph,Hadrat Uthman.
    During 634 A.D. Caliph Abu Bakr fell sick.When his sickness intensified he summoned the worthy companions of the Holy Prophet.On his proposal Umar bin al-Khattab was unanimously elected in merits as the second Caliph of Islam.After a brief Caliphate of 2 years and a few months Caliph Abu Bakr breathed his last on Monday,22nd Jamadi al-Awwal,13 A.H.(22nd August,634 A.D.)between the Maghrib and the Isha prayers.He was sixty-three.The last words on his lips at death were:"O God,may I die in Islam and join me with the good people."