Early Islamic inscriptions, including Quranic verses, unearthed in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Authority has announced the documentation of 1,774 archaeological finds during the second season of surface surveys in the Mahd region of Medina. The discoveries include 461 Islamic inscriptions, 34 Thamudic inscriptions, 1,259 rock drawings, 11 stone structures, three palace ruins, two historical caravan routes, and four wells. The authority stated that the finds illuminate the early Islamic period, particularly the pre‑Uthman era, and contribute to understanding the Arabian Peninsula’s cultural heritage.

Quranic verses and Omar inscriptions

Among the most striking discoveries are rock inscriptions containing verses from the Quran and early inscriptions mentioning Caliph Omar ibn al‑Khattab. One inscription reads: “Allah is the friend of Omar ibn al‑Khattab in this world and the hereafter. There is no god but Allah,” written in Hijazi script by a person named Ibrahim. Another inscription includes verse 58 of Surah An‑Nisa: “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice.” Experts say such inscriptions prove that Quranic verses were used in written form during Islam’s earliest period.

Preserving Islamic heritage

The authority emphasised that “every stone in the Mahd region carries a memory, and every inscription preserves a story from the early days of the Islamic state.” Saudi officials said the discoveries contribute significantly to knowledge of early Islamic history, Arabic calligraphy traditions, and the region’s civilisational heritage.