Shumara Al-Sunnah, Jhelum◈ Narration of Sayyidah A'ishah (رضي الله عنها)
Sayyidah A'ishah (رضي الله عنها) narrated:لَقَدْ أُنْزِلَتْ آيَةُ الرَّجْمِ وَرَضَعَاتُ الْكَبِيرِ عَشْرًا...
"The verse of stoning (rajm) and the verse regarding ten adult breastfeeding (رضعات الكبير عشرًا) were revealed. These verses were written on a sheet and placed under my bed. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fell ill, we got occupied with his illness, and a domestic animal (a goat) came and ate the sheet."
[Musnad Ahmad: 6/269 — Chain: Hasan]
◈ Misconception Refuted: Did a Goat Eat the Qur'an?
Some people use this narration to claim—God forbid—that a goat ate a part of the Qur'an, implying that the Qur'an is incomplete or unprotected.This claim is baseless due to the following facts:
① The verses mentioned by Sayyidah A'ishah (رضي الله عنها) had already been abrogated in their recitation, as established in:
- Sahih Muslim (1352) regarding the ten adult breastfeedings.
- Sahih Bukhari (6830) regarding the stoning verse (rajm).
② These verses were abrogated in recitation, which means they were not included in the final compilation of the Qur'an by divine will.
Even if the goat had not eaten the sheet, these verses would not have been part of the Qur'an.◈ The Protection of the Qur'an is Divine
The Qur'an is preserved not only in writing but also in the hearts of the believers. Allah says:❝ بَلْ هُوَ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ فِي صُدُورِ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ ❞
"Rather, it is clear verses [preserved] in the breasts of those who have been granted knowledge..."
[Surah Al-‘Ankabut: 49]
Also:
❝ إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ ❞
"Indeed, We have sent down the Dhikr (the Qur'an), and indeed, We will be its guardian."
[Surah Al-Hijr: 9]
◈ Final Clarification
- The verses reportedly eaten by the goat were not part of the Qur'an at the time of its compilation.
- Their recitation had been abrogated, although in some cases the ruling remained.
- Therefore, it is slanderous and unfounded to allege that the Qur'an became incomplete because of this incident.
