View Printable Version :: Email to a Friend
VIII. Overall Analysis and Conclusion
Narratives on the Collection of the Qur’an by ‘Ali (rta)
Dr. Shehzad Saleem
VIII. Overall Analysis and Conclusion

In this article, Sunnī and Shiite sources regarding the collection of the Qur’ān by ‘Alī (rta) have been analyzed separately. While each of the narratives cited seem to have unsound chains of narration, one can also see that both accounts are significantly different.

According to the Sunnī account, a chronological compilation of the Qur’ān was made by ‘Alī (rta) right after the death of the Prophet (sws). Upon being asked by Abū Bakr (rta) regarding the delay in pledging allegiance to him, ‘Alī (rta) replied that additions were being made in the Qur’ān and that its arrangement was being tampered with. So he gave preference to this task. Abū Bakr (rta) is reported to have expressed his satisfaction at ‘Alī’s endeavour. The Sunnī sources are silent after this. As such, the overall picture which emerges is very fragmentary and seemingly incomplete, as indicated earlier. Neither do we find any report of Abū Bakr (rta) asking ‘Alī (rta) to bring over the collected Qur’ān nor do we find ‘Alī (rta) bringing it over to him at his own initiative. After this, one wonders, what was the need of the whole exercise? Was it forgotten or was it ignored?

The Shiite account on the other hand presents a complete picture. It says that the collected Qur’ān was brought over by ‘Alī (rta) to the Muhājirūn and the Ansār. However, their leaders rejected it by saying that that they already had it with them. At this, ‘Alī (rta) angrily went away declaring that they would never see it again. Some accounts say that the Muhājirūn and the Ansār initially did not have a copy of the Qur’ān. When ‘Umar (rta) became the caliph, he demanded the Qur’ān from ‘Alī (rta) who refused to hand it over to him and said that it would be revealed when the al-Qā’im arrives. Frustrated at this, ‘Umar (rta) embarked upon collecting the Qur’ān with the help of two witnesses.

Some narratives recorded in Shiite books give a clear message that the Qur’ān found with the Muslims is incomplete and the complete version is only found with the descendants of ‘Alī (rta).

However, as shown in the preceding sections, both the Sunnī and the Shiite accounts suffer from flaws which marr their matns as well as isnāds. In the presence of these flaws, none of these accounts can be regarded as reliable and nothing can be deduced on their basis. Finally, as is shown earlier, the assertion that ‘Alī (rta) collected the Qur’ān in its chronological order itself stands on slippery ground both with regard to the Sunnī and Shiite sources.

 

_________

 

 

   
 
For Questions on Islam, please use our
 

Replica Handbags Bottega Veneta fake Bvlgari fake Celine fake Christian Dior fake Gucci fake Gucci Bag fake Gucci Wallet fake Gucci Shoes fake Gucci Belt fake Hermes fake Loewe fake Louis Vuitton fake Louis Vuitton Belt fake Louis Vuitton Calf Leather fake Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Canvas fake Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Canvas fake Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite Canvas fake Louis Vuitton Damier Infini Leather fake Louis Vuitton Damier Quilt lamb fake Louis Vuitton Embossed Calfskin fake Louis Vuitton Epi fake Louis Vuitton Game On Monogram Canvas fake Louis Vuitton Jewellery fake Louis Vuitton Key Holder fake Louis Vuitton Mahina Leather fake Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas fake Louis Vuitton Monogram Denim fake Louis Vuitton Monogram Eclipse Canvas fake Louis Vuitton Monogram Empreinte fake Louis Vuitton Monogram Seal fake Louis Vuitton Monogram Shadow fake Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis fake Louis Vuitton Monogram Watercolor fake Louis Vuitton New Wave fake Louis Vuitton Shoes fake Louis Vuitton Since 1854 fake Louis Vuitton Strap fake Louis Vuitton Taiga Leahter fake Louis Vuitton Taurillon leather fake Louis Vuitton Transformed Game On canvas fake Louis Vuitton Utah Calfskin fake Louis Vuitton X Supreme fake Mulberry fake Prada fake YSL fake