The history of the Qur'ānic text : from revelation to compilation : a comparative study with the Old and New Testaments

The Qur'an reigns supreme in Muslim hearts as the most sacred of texts: a profusion of exalted ideas to rouse the mind, noble histories to stir the soul, universal truths to awaken the conscience and precise injunctions directing humanity to its own deliverance, all distilled into the melodious essence that is the Word of Allah. Through fourteen centuries Muslims have persevered in championing the text against corruption, memorising its every word and contemplating its every phrase, so that in our own times untold millions have enthusiastially committed each letter to heart. Beginning with a catalogue of ancient and contemporary attacks on the Qur'an, this expansive book provides unique insights into the holy text's immaculate preservation throughout its history, as well as exploring many of the accusations levelled against it. The reception of divine revelations, Prophet Muhammad's role in teaching and disseminating these verses, the text's compilation under his guidance and the setting of its final external shape shortly after his death, are meticulously and scientifically examinded alongside such topics as the origins of Arabic, its palaeography and orthography, the so-called Mushaf of Ibn Mas'ud, and the strict methodology employed in assembling textual fragments. By way of comparison the author investigates the histories of the Old and New Testaments, relying entirely on Judaeo-Christian sources including the Dead Sea Scrolls and uncovers a startling range of alterations that touch almost every fact of the Biblical Scriptures. Using this as a springboard for assessing Western theories regarding the Qur'an, he makes a sophisticated yet passionate case for questioning the aims of Western scholarship in continuously undermining Islam's holy book, and illustrates convincingly that such research, motivated by more than mere curiousity, has no scientific bearing on the Qur'an's integrity. This Volume Tries To Fill The Gaping Hole In The Area Of Qurʼānic Textual Criticism, Especially Coming From Muslims Scholars. It Is An Impassioned Attempt To Contrast The Immaculate Preservation Of The Qurʼān With The Alterations In The Transmission Of The Text Of The Bible, Both The Old And The New Testament. The Author Barely Refrains From Making The Charge That Jews And Christians Corrupted The Scriptures The Primary Theme Of His Work. Rather, His Primary Aim Is To Question The Motives Of Western Scholarship Which Are Described As Continuously Undermining Islam's Holy Book. For This Reason, He Attempts A Muslim Scholarly Response To Popular Western Perceptions That Question The Muslims' Capacity To Defend The Integrity Of The Qurʼān. This Polemic Approach Yields Some Interesting And At Times Instructive Research, Yet Comes Short Of Entirely Reliable Conclusions. I. The History Of The Qurʼānic Text. Introduction -- Early History Of Islam: A Brief Look -- Revelations And The Prophet Muḥammad -- Teaching The Qurʼān -- The Recording And Arrangement Of The Qurʼān -- The Written Compilation Of The Qurʼān -- ʻuthmān's Muṣḥaf -- The Evolution Of Reading Aids Within The Muṣḥaf -- The History Of Arabic Palaeography -- Arabic Paleography And Orthography In The Qurʼān -- Causes Of Variant Reading -- The Muslim Educational Methodology -- The So-called Muṣḥaf Of Ibn Masʻūd And Alleged Variances Therein -- Ii. The History Of The Biblical Scriptures. Early History Of Judaism: A Brief Look -- The Old Testament And Its Corruption -- Early History Of Christianity: A Brief Look -- The New Testament: Its Anonymous Authorship And Corruption -- Iii. An Appraisal Of Orientalism. The Orientalist And The Qurʼān -- Orientalist Motivations: A Study Of Subjectivity -- Closing Remarks. Muḥammad Muṣṭafā Al-'aẓamī. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [347]-356) And Index. With full colour images, meticulously annotated and researched, The History of the Quranic Text provides unique insights into the Qurans immaculate preservation throughout its history, covering such topics as how divine revelations were received, Prophet Muhammads role in teaching and disseminating these verses, the texts compilation under his guidance and the setting of its final shape shortly after his death. It also looks at the origins of Arabic, its palaeography and orthography, the so-called Mushaf of Ibn Masud, and the strict methodology employed in assembling textual fragments. This scholarly work provides an essential basis for sincere study of the Quran at a time when mis-representation of Islams Holy Book has become all too common. The author also investigates the histories of the Old and New Testaments, relying entirely on Judeo-Christian sources, and by so doing the book attains an absolutely epic scope. Through this the author makes a sophisticated and passionate case for questioning the aims of Western scholarship towards Islams Holy Book and illustrates convincingly that such research, motivated by more than mere curiosity, has no scientific bearing on the Qurans integrity. A truly monumental effort, an indispensable tool for Muslims and non-Muslims alike, this work presents a cogent and powerful argument for the Qurans unique inviolability and will serve as a cornerstone addition to any personal library and Islamic curriculum.