Fact Check: "The Quran has never been altered to suit people's narratives. The literature is unchanged since it was written."
What We Know
The claim that the Quran has never been altered and remains unchanged since its inception is rooted in Islamic belief. According to traditional Islamic teachings, the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a span of approximately 23 years, beginning in 610 CE, and Muslims believe that it was preserved in its original form without alteration. The Quran emphasizes that it is divinely protected from any change, as stated in the verse, "Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its Guardian" (source-5).
Historically, the first caliph, Abu Bakr, ordered the compilation of the Quran shortly after Muhammad's death, and the third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, is credited with standardizing the text into what is known as the Uthmanic codex (source-2). This codex is considered the authoritative version of the Quran today. However, there are indications of textual variations in early manuscripts, such as the Sanaa manuscript, which suggest that the text may have undergone some evolution before reaching its current form (source-2).
Analysis
While the claim that the Quran has never been altered is strongly supported by Islamic tradition, the historical evidence presents a more nuanced picture. The Uthmanic codex was indeed a significant effort to unify the Quranic text, but the existence of early manuscripts like the Sanaa manuscript indicates that there were variations in the text prior to this standardization (source-2). German palaeographer Gerd R. Puin has noted that these variations suggest an evolving text rather than a completely fixed one (source-2).
Moreover, the preservation of the Quran has relied heavily on oral transmission, which, while effective, is not immune to human error. The practice of memorization has been a cornerstone of Quranic preservation, but it also introduces the potential for variations in recitation and transmission (source-5).
In summary, while the Quran is believed by Muslims to be unchanged in its divine message, historical evidence suggests that the text has experienced some degree of evolution and variation over time. This complexity is often downplayed in traditional narratives that emphasize its unaltered nature.
Conclusion
The claim that "The Quran has never been altered to suit people's narratives. The literature is unchanged since it was written" is Partially True. While it is accurate to state that the Quran is considered by Muslims to be divinely protected from alteration, historical evidence indicates that there have been variations and an evolving textual history prior to the standardization under Uthman. Thus, the claim reflects a belief in the Quran's divine preservation but does not fully account for the complexities of its historical transmission.
