Joe Rogan Experience #2549 - Jared Diamond · Aired Sep 3, 2026
Claim summary · not a verbatim quotation
It took two centuries for the teachings of Muhammad to be written down.
The finding
What the evidence shows
This is true for hadith collections but not for the Quran. The Quran, which Muslims regard as containing Muhammad's revealed teachings, was substantially compiled into a standard written text within about 20 to 25 years of his death under Caliph Uthman. It took roughly two centuries for the hadith, the separate reports of Muhammad's sayings and actions, to be gathered into major written collections like Sahih Bukhari, so the two century figure only fits part of the picture.
Read the supporting source · en.wikipedia.org ↗Quick answer & review status
Quick answer
Is it true that it took two centuries for the teachings of Muhammad to be written down?
Partly. The claim stretches what the evidence shows. This is true for hadith collections but not for the Quran. The Quran, which Muslims regard as containing Muhammad's revealed teachings, was substantially compiled into a standard written text within about 20 to 25 years of his death under Caliph Uthman. Jared Diamond said it (matched by voice) on Joe Rogan Experience #2549 - Jared Diamond, aired Sep 3, 2026, at 14:38. The supporting source is en.wikipedia.org, linked below.
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