✿ Objection by Atheists and Orientalists:
Atheists and Orientalists raise the objection that the Qur’an itself declares:
“وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا”
“And if it had been from any other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.”
(Sūrah al-Nisā’: 82)
Yet, according to them, there are seven different Qirāʾāt in practice among Muslims, which they claim indicate contradictions within the Qur’an.
✿ Difference Between the Qur’an and Qirāʾāt
✔ The Qur’an is the Divine Revelation sent down to the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ Qirāʾāt refers to the variations in pronunciation and recitation styles of the Qur’anic words.
Reference: (al-Burhān, vol. 1, p. 218)
✿ Scope of Differences in the Qur’anic Text
✔ The differences in the Qur’anic text are limited only to modes of pronunciation, such as variations in elision, addition, or the articulation of certain words.
✔ All of these different modes were dictated by the Prophet ﷺ himself and are divinely revealed.
Reference: (al-Murshid al-Wajīz, p. 138)
✿ Contradiction or Diversity?
✔ Contradiction is Impossible
There can be no contradiction in the speech of Allah, as this is a testament to its authenticity:
“وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا”
“And if it had been from any other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.”
(Sūrah al-Nisā’: 82)
✔ Meaning of “Ikhtilāf”
In this verse, “Ikhtilāf” means contradiction, not variety (tanawwuʿ).
The teachings and subjects of the Qur’an contain no contradiction—for example, it consistently preaches Tawḥīd and never permits shirk.
✔ Example of Diversity
Variety is a form of beauty and richness. For example, the renowned poet Zauq says:
“گلہائے رنگ رنگ سے ہے زینت چمن،
اے ذوق! اس جہاں کو ہے زیب اختلاف سے”
✔ Diversity Mentioned in the Qur’an
“وَاخْتِلَافُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَانِكُمْ”
“And the diversity of your tongues and your colors.”
(Sūrah al-Rūm: 22)
✿ Examples of Diversity in the Qur’an
✔ Differences in the length of the Sūrahs (some long, some short).
✔ Variation in the number of rukūʿs.
✔ Differences in the number of verses in the Sūrahs.
✔ Multiple names for a single Sūrah (e.g., Sūrah Banī Isrā’īl also called Sūrah al-Isrā’).
✔ All Sūrahs begin with “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ” except Sūrah Tawbah.
✔ Some Sūrahs begin with disjointed letters (ḥurūf muqaṭṭaʿāt), while others do not.
✔ Historical events are mentioned in various ways in different places.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ is addressed by different titles: “يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ,” “يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِي,” “يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُزَّمِّل,” etc.
✿ Difference in Qirāʾāt is Diversity, Not Contradiction
The differences found in the Qirāʾāt of the Qur’an are not contradictions but a manifestation of divine variety.
✿ Orientalist Objections and Their Refutations
✔ Why the Comparison with the Bible is Incorrect
The present Bible is not the original Divine Revelation; it consists of human translations filled with contradictions across different versions.
In contrast, every word and letter of the Qur’an and the Qirāʾāt has an unbroken chain of transmission (sanad) directly reaching the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ Authenticity of the Qur’an and Its Qirāʾāt
There is no contradiction in the Qur’an, and the variations in Qirāʾāt were permitted by the Prophet ﷺ.
Each Qirāʾah has its own mutawātir chains of narration, confirming its authenticity.
✿ How Did the Differences in Qirāʾāt Arise?
✔ Divine Facilitation
Allah revealed the Qur’an in different Qirāʾāt to facilitate memorization and recitation.
The Prophet ﷺ himself allowed recitation in multiple ways, as narrated:
“The Qur’an was revealed in seven Aḥruf.”
(Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 4992)
✔ The Action of Uthmān (رضي الله عنه)
In later periods, some people began to recite abrogated Qirāʾāt or interpretive notes thinking they were part of the Qur’an.
To end confusion, Uthmān (رضي الله عنه) compiled a consensus copy under the supervision of memorizers and scribes from the Companions.
✔ Example of the ʿUthmānic Codex
This step was similar to how an Islamic government today would publish carefully checked copies of the Qur’an to prevent errors from entering into printed editions.
✿ Explanation of the Seven Aḥruf
✔ Meaning of the Seven Aḥruf
The seven Aḥruf refer to the various modes of recitation explained by the Prophet ﷺ to his Companions.
Although there is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding their precise nature, this difference relates only to their interpretation, not to the authenticity of the Qirāʾāt themselves.
✔ Statement of Ibn al-Jazarī (رحمه الله)
Imām Ibn al-Jazarī stated that the explanation of the seven Aḥruf is a complex subject, and he himself spent thirty years contemplating it.
According to him, the seven Aḥruf encompass different dialects and linguistic nuances.
✔ Seven Aḥruf and the Ten Qirāʾāt
The current Ten Qirāʾāt are part of the seven Aḥruf.
Despite differences in explaining the seven Aḥruf, all scholars unanimously agree that the current Qirāʾāt are Mutawātir and authentic.
Atheists and Orientalists raise the objection that the Qur’an itself declares:
“وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا”
“And if it had been from any other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.”
(Sūrah al-Nisā’: 82)
Yet, according to them, there are seven different Qirāʾāt in practice among Muslims, which they claim indicate contradictions within the Qur’an.
✿ Difference Between the Qur’an and Qirāʾāt
✔ The Qur’an is the Divine Revelation sent down to the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ Qirāʾāt refers to the variations in pronunciation and recitation styles of the Qur’anic words.
Reference: (al-Burhān, vol. 1, p. 218)
✿ Scope of Differences in the Qur’anic Text
✔ The differences in the Qur’anic text are limited only to modes of pronunciation, such as variations in elision, addition, or the articulation of certain words.
✔ All of these different modes were dictated by the Prophet ﷺ himself and are divinely revealed.
Reference: (al-Murshid al-Wajīz, p. 138)
✿ Contradiction or Diversity?
✔ Contradiction is Impossible
There can be no contradiction in the speech of Allah, as this is a testament to its authenticity:
“وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا”
“And if it had been from any other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.”
(Sūrah al-Nisā’: 82)
✔ Meaning of “Ikhtilāf”
In this verse, “Ikhtilāf” means contradiction, not variety (tanawwuʿ).
The teachings and subjects of the Qur’an contain no contradiction—for example, it consistently preaches Tawḥīd and never permits shirk.
✔ Example of Diversity
Variety is a form of beauty and richness. For example, the renowned poet Zauq says:
“گلہائے رنگ رنگ سے ہے زینت چمن،
اے ذوق! اس جہاں کو ہے زیب اختلاف سے”
✔ Diversity Mentioned in the Qur’an
“وَاخْتِلَافُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَانِكُمْ”
“And the diversity of your tongues and your colors.”
(Sūrah al-Rūm: 22)
✿ Examples of Diversity in the Qur’an
✔ Differences in the length of the Sūrahs (some long, some short).
✔ Variation in the number of rukūʿs.
✔ Differences in the number of verses in the Sūrahs.
✔ Multiple names for a single Sūrah (e.g., Sūrah Banī Isrā’īl also called Sūrah al-Isrā’).
✔ All Sūrahs begin with “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ” except Sūrah Tawbah.
✔ Some Sūrahs begin with disjointed letters (ḥurūf muqaṭṭaʿāt), while others do not.
✔ Historical events are mentioned in various ways in different places.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ is addressed by different titles: “يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ,” “يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِي,” “يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُزَّمِّل,” etc.
✿ Difference in Qirāʾāt is Diversity, Not Contradiction
The differences found in the Qirāʾāt of the Qur’an are not contradictions but a manifestation of divine variety.
✿ Orientalist Objections and Their Refutations
✔ Why the Comparison with the Bible is Incorrect
The present Bible is not the original Divine Revelation; it consists of human translations filled with contradictions across different versions.
In contrast, every word and letter of the Qur’an and the Qirāʾāt has an unbroken chain of transmission (sanad) directly reaching the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ Authenticity of the Qur’an and Its Qirāʾāt
There is no contradiction in the Qur’an, and the variations in Qirāʾāt were permitted by the Prophet ﷺ.
Each Qirāʾah has its own mutawātir chains of narration, confirming its authenticity.
✿ How Did the Differences in Qirāʾāt Arise?
✔ Divine Facilitation
Allah revealed the Qur’an in different Qirāʾāt to facilitate memorization and recitation.
The Prophet ﷺ himself allowed recitation in multiple ways, as narrated:
“The Qur’an was revealed in seven Aḥruf.”
(Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 4992)
✔ The Action of Uthmān (رضي الله عنه)
In later periods, some people began to recite abrogated Qirāʾāt or interpretive notes thinking they were part of the Qur’an.
To end confusion, Uthmān (رضي الله عنه) compiled a consensus copy under the supervision of memorizers and scribes from the Companions.
✔ Example of the ʿUthmānic Codex
This step was similar to how an Islamic government today would publish carefully checked copies of the Qur’an to prevent errors from entering into printed editions.
✿ Explanation of the Seven Aḥruf
✔ Meaning of the Seven Aḥruf
The seven Aḥruf refer to the various modes of recitation explained by the Prophet ﷺ to his Companions.
Although there is a difference of opinion among scholars regarding their precise nature, this difference relates only to their interpretation, not to the authenticity of the Qirāʾāt themselves.
✔ Statement of Ibn al-Jazarī (رحمه الله)
Imām Ibn al-Jazarī stated that the explanation of the seven Aḥruf is a complex subject, and he himself spent thirty years contemplating it.
According to him, the seven Aḥruf encompass different dialects and linguistic nuances.
✔ Seven Aḥruf and the Ten Qirāʾāt
The current Ten Qirāʾāt are part of the seven Aḥruf.
Despite differences in explaining the seven Aḥruf, all scholars unanimously agree that the current Qirāʾāt are Mutawātir and authentic.
