🔥 Examination: Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light

14.1. Preservation of the Qur'an

The Qur'an asserts its own divine preservation:

This verse unequivocally affirms Allah's promise to preserve the Qur'an. Historically, this preservation has been ensured through oral memorization by millions of Muslims, as well as written documentation during the Prophet's lifetime.

The preservation of the Qur'an is one of the most remarkable aspects of Islamic history, deeply rooted in divine promise, prophetic practice, and historical evidence. Allah explicitly guarantees the protection of the Qur'an in the Qur'an itself:

This verse establishes that Allah has taken it upon Himself to safeguard the Qur'an from any form of distortion, omission, or addition. Unlike earlier scriptures, which were subject to human interference, the Qur'an’s preservation is ensured by divine intervention.

During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), the Qur'an was revealed over 23 years in portions, addressing specific situations and contexts. Each revelation was immediately memorized by the Prophet and taught to his companions. Many companions, known as Huffaz (guardians of the Qur'an), committed it to memory, ensuring its oral transmission.

In addition to memorization, the Prophet appointed scribes to document the Qur'an as it was revealed. Prominent scribes such as Zayd ibn Thabit, Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, and Ubayy ibn Ka'b meticulously wrote down the revelations on materials such as parchment, leather, and palm leaves. The Prophet would review the written portions to ensure their accuracy, often reciting the Qur'an to Jibreel (Gabriel) annually during Ramadan.

Following the Prophet’s death, the preservation of the Qur'an became a priority for the Muslim community. During the caliphate of Abu Bakr (RA), the first formal compilation of the Qur'an was undertaken. This effort was initiated after the Battle of Yamama, during which many Huffaz were martyred. Under the supervision of Zayd ibn Thabit, the Qur'an was compiled into a single manuscript (mushaf), combining the written fragments and the memorized recitations.

Later, during the caliphate of Uthman (RA), the Qur'an underwent further standardization. As Islam expanded, regional dialectical differences in recitation arose, leading to potential confusion. Uthman ordered the production of standardized copies of the Qur'an in the Qurayshi dialect, the dialect of the Prophet. These copies were distributed to major Islamic centers, and non-standard copies were destroyed to maintain unity. This standardization process, carried out under the supervision of those who memorized the Qur'an, ensured consistency across the Muslim world.

The Qur'an’s preservation was unique in its dual reliance on oral and written transmission. Memorization of the Qur'an has been an unbroken tradition since the time of the Prophet. Even today, millions of Muslims (Huffaz) across the globe have memorized the entire Qur'an, serving as a safeguard against alteration. Written documentation further complemented this preservation, with manuscripts from the 1st century AH (e.g., the Birmingham Manuscript) aligning with the Qur'an recited today.

Islamic scholars unanimously affirm this dual transmission system as a miraculous means of preserving the Qur'an. For instance, Imam Al-Qurtubi emphasizes: "The verse in Surah Al-Hijr (15:9) establishes a clear promise that the Qur'an is divinely protected from any distortion, omission, or addition." Similarly, Imam Al-Shafi’i notes: "The Qur'an is safeguarded in the hearts of the believers and in its written form. It cannot be altered due to the sheer number of people who have memorized it." Even non-Muslim historians, such as William Muir and Montgomery Watt, acknowledge the Qur'an's unparalleled preservation compared to other religious texts.

The consistency of the Qur'an is supported by historical manuscripts and global uniformity. Early Qur'anic manuscripts, such as the Topkapi Manuscript and the Sana’a Manuscripts, match the Qur'an recited today, demonstrating its textual integrity. Furthermore, the Qur'an has no variations across regions; a Qur'an printed in Indonesia is identical to one printed in Saudi Arabia or Nigeria. This global uniformity is unmatched by any other scripture.

The Qur'an’s preservation contrasts sharply with the histories of earlier scriptures like the Torah and the Bible, which underwent significant textual changes. Allah mentions this in the Qur'an:

While previous scriptures were vulnerable to human tampering, the Qur'an remains free from such corruption due to Allah's promise.

Critics have occasionally cited isolated narrations or alleged manuscript discrepancies to question the Qur'an’s preservation. However, these claims have been consistently debunked by Islamic scholars. Narrations suggesting omissions or changes in the Qur'an are often weak or fabricated, and differences in early manuscripts are attributed to dialectical variations or scribal notes, not textual corruption.

The preservation of the Qur'an is a testament to its divine origin and Allah’s promise in Surah Al-Hijr (15:9). Through the efforts of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his companions, and subsequent generations, the Qur'an has been safeguarded in both oral and written forms. This miraculous preservation, affirmed by scholars and supported by historical evidence, ensures that the Qur'an remains unchanged and protected for all time.