Authored by: Maulana Abu al-Hasan Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafidhahullah)
Question:
Do Shia Ithna Ashariyah believe in our Quran?
Answer:
Allah, the One without any partner, sent down scriptures and revelations to His prophets, and the final link in this chain is the noble Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Allah sent down the Quran through Jibreel (AS), as mentioned in the Quran:
"Say, 'Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel – it is [none but] he who has brought it [i.e., 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.'"
[Al-Baqarah: 97-98]
This verse clarifies that Jibreel (AS) revealed the Quran to the Prophet (ﷺ) and that Allah Himself has taken the responsibility of its preservation:
"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran, and indeed, We will be its guardian."
[Al-Hijr: 9]
Allah further declares:
"Indeed, it is a mighty Book. Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy."
[Fussilat: 41-42]
Thus, it is evident that the Quran is a book in which no falsehood can enter, and Allah has ensured its preservation. This miracle of the Quran is such that it remains unaltered, and no one can ever produce anything like it. When the Prophet (ﷺ) recited this divine revelation to the people, the disbelievers requested changes, but Allah commanded:
"And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, those who do not expect the meeting with Us say, 'Bring us a Qur'an other than this or change it.' Say, [O Muhammad], 'It is not for me to change it on my own accord. I only follow what is revealed to me. Indeed, I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day.'"
[Yunus: 15]
This shows that no one has the right to alter the Quran. For us, the Quran is complete, comprehensive, and unalterable. The Quran's integrity and protection were ensured by the Prophet (ﷺ) and his Companions, who meticulously compiled it. Belief in any alteration in the Quran negates one’s faith.
Imam Ibn Hazm (RA) records in his works that the Rawaafidh (a term used to refer to those who reject certain Companions and tenets) claim that the Companions altered the Quran. However, he responds by stating that:
"The Rawaafidh cannot be considered among Muslims. They appeared 25 years after the Prophet (ﷺ)'s death and, much like Jews and Christians, have propagated falsehoods and disbelief."
[Al-Fasl fil-Milal]
Ibn Hazm’s stance reflects the viewpoint of Ahl-e-Hadith scholars: anyone who believes in the distortion of the Quran cannot be a true Muslim. The Shia scholars of Ithna Ashariyah do not hold genuine belief in the current Quran for several reasons, including:
For further details, refer to Fasl al-Khitab fi Ithbat Tahrif Kitab Rabb al-Arbab by Mirza Hussain al-Nuri al-Tabarsi and al-Shia wal-Quran by Allama Ehsan Elahi Zaheer (RA).
Question:
Do Shia Ithna Ashariyah believe in our Quran?
Answer:
Allah, the One without any partner, sent down scriptures and revelations to His prophets, and the final link in this chain is the noble Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Allah sent down the Quran through Jibreel (AS), as mentioned in the Quran:
"Say, 'Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel – it is [none but] he who has brought it [i.e., 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.'"
[Al-Baqarah: 97-98]
This verse clarifies that Jibreel (AS) revealed the Quran to the Prophet (ﷺ) and that Allah Himself has taken the responsibility of its preservation:
"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran, and indeed, We will be its guardian."
[Al-Hijr: 9]
Allah further declares:
"Indeed, it is a mighty Book. Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy."
[Fussilat: 41-42]
Thus, it is evident that the Quran is a book in which no falsehood can enter, and Allah has ensured its preservation. This miracle of the Quran is such that it remains unaltered, and no one can ever produce anything like it. When the Prophet (ﷺ) recited this divine revelation to the people, the disbelievers requested changes, but Allah commanded:
"And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, those who do not expect the meeting with Us say, 'Bring us a Qur'an other than this or change it.' Say, [O Muhammad], 'It is not for me to change it on my own accord. I only follow what is revealed to me. Indeed, I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day.'"
[Yunus: 15]
This shows that no one has the right to alter the Quran. For us, the Quran is complete, comprehensive, and unalterable. The Quran's integrity and protection were ensured by the Prophet (ﷺ) and his Companions, who meticulously compiled it. Belief in any alteration in the Quran negates one’s faith.
Imam Ibn Hazm (RA) records in his works that the Rawaafidh (a term used to refer to those who reject certain Companions and tenets) claim that the Companions altered the Quran. However, he responds by stating that:
"The Rawaafidh cannot be considered among Muslims. They appeared 25 years after the Prophet (ﷺ)'s death and, much like Jews and Christians, have propagated falsehoods and disbelief."
[Al-Fasl fil-Milal]
Ibn Hazm’s stance reflects the viewpoint of Ahl-e-Hadith scholars: anyone who believes in the distortion of the Quran cannot be a true Muslim. The Shia scholars of Ithna Ashariyah do not hold genuine belief in the current Quran for several reasons, including:
- Distrust in the Companions as Transmitters: A fundamental Shia belief is that the Companions, who are the transmitters of the Quran and Sunnah, were untrustworthy. The Shia scholar Abu Ja'far Muhammad bin Ya'qub al-Kulayni reports that, according to Imam Baqir, only three Companions remained true after the Prophet's death, and the rest apostatized. [Kitab al-Rawdah min al-Kafi]
- Rejection of the Compilation by the Caliphs: Shia scholars acknowledge that the current Quran was compiled under the supervision of the first three Caliphs. Since they regard these Caliphs as enemies of Islam, they do not accept their compilation as authentic.
- Belief in Quranic Alteration: Shia literature, such as Fasl al-Khitab fi Ithbat Tahrif Kitab Rabb al-Arbab by Mirza Hussain al-Nuri al-Tabarsi, claims over 2,000 narrations suggesting changes in the Quran. In the book Mirat al-Uqul, Allama Baqir Majlisi writes that these narrations are as credible as those on Imamate, which is an essential Shia doctrine. This stance indicates a collective belief among Shia scholars in alterations within the Quran.
For further details, refer to Fasl al-Khitab fi Ithbat Tahrif Kitab Rabb al-Arbab by Mirza Hussain al-Nuri al-Tabarsi and al-Shia wal-Quran by Allama Ehsan Elahi Zaheer (RA).