Availability and Diversity of the Qur'ans

As of now, there are around 37 different recognized qira'at (recitations) of the Qur'an that are widely available. These variations can be purchased from online bookshops and are accessible for those interested in studying the textual diversity of the Qur'anic manuscript tradition.

Key Points

1. Wide Availability:

   • Modern technology and the internet have made it easier to access various versions of the Qur'an. Online bookstores, such as Amazon and specialized Islamic bookstores, offer multiple qira'at for purchase.

   • Examples:

     • Hafs 'an 'Asim: The most widely used recitation.

     • Warsh 'an Nafi': Popular in North and West Africa.

     • Qalun 'an Nafi': Another recitation from Nafi, used in parts of Africa.

2. Types of Differences:

   • Extra Words: Differences in the inclusion or exclusion of certain words or phrases.

   • Graphical/Basic Letter Differences: Variations in basic letters that can alter meanings.

   • Diacritical Differences: Changes in diacritical marks, impacting pronunciation.

   • Vowel Differences: Variations in vowel markings, affecting grammar and meaning.

   • Basmalah Differences: Differences in the inclusion of the Basmalah at the beginning of surahs.

Scholarly Insight

1. Arthur Jeffery:

   • Jeffery’s research extensively documents the variations found in early Qur'anic manuscripts, providing a historical context for understanding these differences.

     • Reference: Jeffery, Arthur. "Materials for the History of the Text of the Qur'an: The Old Codices." Brill, 1937.

2. Gerd Puin:

   • Puin’s studies of early Qur'anic manuscripts, especially those found in Sana'a, Yemen, reveal significant textual diversity and complexity in the transmission history of the Qur'an.

     • Reference: Puin, Gerd. "Observations on Early Qur'an Manuscripts in San'a." In Stefan Wild (ed.), "The Qur'an as Text," Brill, 1996.

3. Cyril Glasse:

   • Glasse provides an overview of the development and recognition of different qira'at, explaining the historical and linguistic reasons behind these variations.

     • Reference: Glasse, Cyril. "The Concise Encyclopedia of Islam," 4th ed. 2013.

Practical Implications

• Academic and Religious Studies: The availability of these different Qur'ans allows scholars, students, and laypeople to study the textual variations and gain a deeper understanding of the Qur'an's history and its transmission.

• Challenges to Traditional Claims: The existence of multiple Qur'ans with textual variations challenges the traditional Islamic claim that there is only one, unchanged Qur'an. This has implications for both academic study and interfaith dialogues.

Conclusion

The availability of around 37 different qira'at of the Qur'an, each with distinct textual variations, underscores the complexity and diversity of the Qur'anic text. This challenges the traditional claim of a single, unchanged Qur'an and highlights the rich history of its transmission.

References

1. Arthur Jeffery, "Materials for the History of the Text of the Qur'an: The Old Codices": Brill, 1937.

2. Gerd Puin, "Observations on Early Qur'an Manuscripts in San'a": In Stefan Wild (ed.), "The Qur'an as Text," Brill, 1996.

3. Cyril Glasse, "The Concise Encyclopedia of Islam": 4th ed. 2013.