Contemporary Issues: Is the Original Qur'an Preserved? - Dr. Joseph Lumbard

Orientalist scholarship since the 19th century has proposed various theories that seek to disqualify the Muslim narrative on the authenticity of the Qur'anic compilation and the preservation of the text. The recent discovery of early Qur'an manuscripts in San'a has reinvigorated the issue, and skeptics have hoped for evidence to support their assertions. Bayan visiting faculty member Joseph Lumbard sheds some light on this issue.

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[deborahelle]

They say truth is stranger than fiction. People can’t handle actual truth, only ‘their idea’ of truth.

[mohammedjasim]

(إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ )

(Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian)

15:9

[zainiabdullah]

“Indeed, it is WE who sent down the MESSAGE (i.e. the Qur’an), and indeed, WE WILL BE ITS GUARDIAN.”
QS al-Hijr 15: 9

[futureearsnosethroatsurgeon]

I am following Qur'an from today, very seriously

[stephenconnolly]

All those people who are saying there are different Qur'ans due to the existence of apparent variations are wrong on two counts: (1) the variations (of 7 well known types) are in matters of pronunciation and not meaning (2) the Muslims have been reciting the Qur'an in their prayers 5 times a day (minimum) from the beginning of the Prophet's mission as the final messenger until today. This means the community learnt the Qur'an in the presence of the Prophet and then proceeded to practice it unrelentingly in their 5 daily prayers. They then passed it down to the succeeding generations of Muslims, both in oral and then, later, in written form once the text had been codified. This happened on such a large scale as to preclude the possibility of (a) forgetting it and/or (b) conspiring to have it changed in even a very minor way. In short, there is no doubt about the Qur'an's preservation as it was revealed to the Prophet until today. Furthermore, if any still doubt it's origins are other than from God, then those people need to bring into being a text of a similar nature. Since the Arabic construction of the Qur'an is unique and unparalleled this is held to be impossible!

[mr.nine]

millions of hearts that have memorized the holy Quran in itself is the greatest proof of the originalty of it and is a living and testifyable miraclefor all those forallthose who have thinking and objectives a biased blind cannot see the open truth

[Yusuf-fogl]

If you can't handle the true step aside because through research and a lot of hard work Dr. Joseph has explained the topic. We love you in Islam.

[terrorizer]

"Surely, We have revealed the 'Zhikr' (Quran), and surely, We will preserve it" 15:9

“No falsehood will come to it, in the present or in the future; a revelation from One who is Wise and Praiseworthy.” 41:42

[xengheeninjoo]

Jaw breaking, succinct and beautiful explanation. It is mostly evangelical cristains, out of desperation making this up, pretending that they discovered something new. Quranic qirat or modes of recitation is well preserved from the time of Prophet (pbuh).

[Freedom_for_Palestina]

Peace and blessings of Allah be upon prophet Muhammad

[luminous]

Uncorrupted no errors no Contradictions this is the only book on the face of earth remains in its original form since 6 century.

[reymantra]

I hve been wondering for sometimes and I realised that those non muslims who try to discredit the authencity of God's kalam should study with the Islamic scholars who know Quranic language.

[Ahmad-kgcq]

Hello i just came here i would like to say thank u to this doctor such wise words

[decTac]

Quran cannot be changed or in error because its been memorized by alHafiizs and millions of Muslims since 1400 years before..therefore its been preserved and will be preserved till the end of the world..its one of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)'s miracles..

[mdzak]

Mash Allah may Allah bless this man I believe in what he says and has given me more confidence in my belief regardless of the negative comments these people can’t handle the truth but love their lies so their are expecting to hear more lies so they can think to them selfs they have a reason not to accept the truth they dnt realise their lies dnt make god any less of a god god is always got despite all the lies they make they’ll come to know in the hear after Anyway we Muslims need more voices like this that can be heard to remove the doubts from the Christians and the rest of minds of our fellow Human beings. May Allah accept this scholars efforts and reward him inshallah

[JJ-xobc]

Look when it comes to Islam I can disagree with a lot of things but when it comes to preservation I have to say its authentic. The reason being that when I studied the most famous 7/ 10 Qiraat or variants, and me having a diploma in classical Arabic i noticed the essence and main message was always the same. The words used in the variants had very small changes. An example in the english language could be that of the word used for a sport. So in USA they call it soccer, while in other parts they call it football. The same way in the Qur'an depending on which part of the Arab continent we find small variants. Now that was my study of the 7/ 10 famous Qiraat / variants.
If someone is to study all the variants side by side as we did in one of my classical Arabic courses that by the way was taught by a non-Muslim you will find that the diffrences are only in pronunciation and a little in words. The essence of the meaning is intact.

As for all the historical claims in the books of hadith that some caliph is burning versions and so many versions and so on. All we need to do is read the Qur'an itself and as the Qur'an says that it was written on noble scribes. Read below. So the Qur'an itself clarifies the claims in the Hadith. Hope this helps.

No, indeed! It is a reminder So whoso wills might remember it In honoured writings Exalted, purified By the hands of scribes Noble, virtuous. (80:11-16)

[howtips]

Quran mainly preserved by memorization of thousands muslims generation to genertion, which today at least millions of us memorized it cover to cover. Writen form of Quran is just secondary way of preservation of Quran so if the entire book of Quran is gone, we muslim will be able to bring it back within days, without missing any dot of it, just from our memories.

[planthearium]

Allah promised that the holy Qur an will be preserved and protected.

[badesaba]

The Preservation of Holy Quran

1-What is Quran ?

2-Where Quran was preserved before revelation onto Muhammad(s.a.w) ?

3-How Quran is revealed and preserved ?

4-what is the role of text scripture in Islamic tradition ?



1-What is Quran ?

This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah –[2:2]

[This is] a Book revealed to you, [O Muhammad] - so let there not be in your breast distress therefrom - that you may warn thereby and as a reminder to the believers.[7:2]

Have the people been amazed that We revealed [revelation] to a man from among them, [saying], "Warn mankind and give good tidings to those who believe that they will have a [firm] precedence of honor with their Lord"? [But] the disbelievers say, "Indeed, this is an obvious magician." [10:2]

Alif, Lam, Meem, Ra. These are the verses of the Book; and what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, but most of the people do not believe.[13:1]

2-Where Quran was preserved before revelation onto Muhammad(s.a.w) ?

But this is an honored Qur'an [85:21]

[Inscribed] in a Preserved Slate.[85:22]

Indeed, it is a noble Qur'an [56:77]

In a Register well-protected;[56:78]

None touch it except the purified.[56:79]

[It is] a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.[56:80]

3-How Quran is revealed and preserved ?

Say, "Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel - it is [none but] he who has brought the Qur'an down upon your heart, [O Muhammad], by permission of Allah, confirming that which was before it and as guidance and good tidings for the believers."[2:97]

Move not your tongue with it, [O Muhammad], to hasten with recitation of the Qur'an.[75:16]

Indeed, upon Us is its collection [in your heart] and [to make possible] its recitation.[75:17]

Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian.[15:9]

NOTE:1- Quran has revealed on the Qalb(Rooh as the meaning taken ) not in the form of book and it is preserving by Allah(The GOD ).

2- Quran was memorised by the prophet Muhammad(s.a.w) and many thousands of Huffaz till today .

3-Quran is preserved in the heart of Knowledgible(Huffaz ) as quran says :

Rather, the Qur'an is distinct verses [preserved] within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge. And none reject Our verses except the wrongdoers.[29:49]

Remember : 1 .Quran is being read on daily basis as per Quran says In salah(namaz) as well as distinctly in Quran tilawah individually.

Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.[29:45]

Huffaz: Those who have memorised the entire Quran .

Annual revison [Quran]- Huffaz are in millions who revise the entire Quran In Ramdan .

NOTE: This Annual revision tradition is well known from the age of Prophet(s.a.w) till today .

Remember : Quran has been transmittted through the memory by the long chain of memorizer(Huffaz) in all generation .

Crosschecking statement from Quran : No contradiction as Quran says :

Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an? If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.[4:82]

Note : if we take 7 Qirat there is no contradiction and these Qirat are being recited in different countries .

REMARKABLE NOTE :

1.

Always A long chain of reciter (Huffaz) who memorised the entire Quran .

2.

Quran is being recited on the daily basis in Slah (namaz) and distictly from slah (namza) individually as well .

3.

Annual revison of Entire Quran in the month of Ramdan (well known tradition).

4.

No contradiction among 7 Qirat .

4-what is the role of text scripture in Islamic tradition ?

Note : a standard text was made in the period of utman(r.a) after the death of prophet around 16 year later .

2. Only a few copies around 5 was made in the presence of Huffaz and was verified by the memory of Huffaz (who have meomorised the Quran)

3.Around one centrury (100 years) after prophet death only few official copies was there.(there was an official group of huffaz underwhich Quranic text was written)

4. As per Islamic tradition in all genaration there was many thousands Huffaz .

Note : sciptual text was only for a backup .(No importance in accpetance of Quran)

Remark : Quran will only be accepted through the memory As Allah says in Quran.

Rather, the Qur'an is distinct verses [preserved] within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge. And none reject Our verses except the wrongdoers.[29:49]

[dropbearzz]

The mathematical miracles of the Quran *has already proven how preserved it is*


There’s no denying anymore about the Quran’s absolute preservation, *it’s only Christians and other nonbelievers that are jealous and angry, they are now scrapping the bottom of the barrel at this point.*

Too bad nothing will come of it.

Alhamdulillah for the true blessings of Islam.