Dealing with apparent contradictions in Quran variations

[Layth]

Salam Euphoric.

I would not call these "variations," rather they are "errors".

In the process of copying the Qur'an and spreading its message, it is clear that scribal errors have taken place where a word or words have been mispelt or even omitted (I think there was a verse 57:24 where "Huwa" was missing from some versions).

The solution is a little bit laborous but simple. All scribal errors are to be reviewed, with the context being the prime determiner of which was is correct.

In the absence of context, then we need to look at other verses that support or reject the scribal difference (is God "King" of Judgement Day or "Possessor" of Judgement Day?).

Take for example 30:2-3, all "codified" versions have Rome losing then winning. Yet, the context screams the opposite. Digging a bit deeper, we find that there were some versions of the Qur'an that did indeed have Rome "winning and then losing" - as I said, it is quite a task.

[Bajram Hoxhaj]

Arabic scholars consider both verses grammatically correct.

again, it clearly says "wipes" ye of
see old manuscript 11th line from top 3rd word وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ 'Arjulakum (lam لَ)
https://corpuscoranicum.de/en/manuscripts/59/page/38v?sura=5&verse=6

5:6 وَامْسَحُوا (and wipes ye of) in heads yours وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ and feet yours
Wa Amsaĥū Biru'ūsikum Wa 'Arjulakum
5:6 فَامْسَحُوا (so wipes ye of) in faces yours and hands yours
Fāmsaĥū Biwujūhikum Wa 'Aydīkum
4:43 فَامْسَحُوا (so wipes ye of) in faces yours and hands yours
Fāmsaĥū Biwujūhikum Wa 'Aydīkum

Another variation is about the ability of Allah, in Q 5:112

"...can your Lord send down to us a table from the sky?" يَسْتَطِيعُ

"...can you (ask) your Lord to send down to us a table from the sky?" تَسْتَطِيعُ

Obvious answer would be yes, but the readings are both transmitted and accepted by scholars of the Quran.

It's written with prefix يَ ya (he/they) and not with تَ ta (it/thou)
use context see all 23 occurrences likewise all over the entire Qur'an

4:129 and never تَسْتَطِيعُوا (Tastaţī`ū) thou experience ye of that تَعْدِلُوا (Ta`dilū) thou equitable ye of between the womenfolk

18:67 said indeed you (sing.) never تَسْتَطِيعَ (Tastaţī`a) thou capable with me patience of

2:282 or not يَسْتَطِيعُ (Yastaţī`u) he capable that يُمِلَّ (Yumilla) he dictate

5:112 when said the disciples being O Isa son Maryam shall يَسْتَطِيعُ (Yastaţī`u) he capable lord your (sing.) that يُنَزِّلَ (Yunazzila) he descend upon us table spread from the sky said heeds ye of الله if be you (pl.) who believers

the same old manuscript clearly shows:
1.    fatha and two dots under the 1st first يَ ya
2.    fatha and the two dots over the letter تَ ta
3.    and two dots under the 2nd ي ya

6th line from the bottom 3rd word يَسْتَطِيعُ (Yastaţī`u)
Topkapı Palace Museum (Topkapı Sarayı Müzesi):
https://corpuscoranicum.de/en/manuscripts/59/page/45r?sura=5&verse=112

[Bajram Hoxhaj]

I would not call these "variations," rather they are "errors".

In the process of copying the Qur'an and spreading its message, it is clear that scribal errors have taken place where a word or words have been mispelt or even omitted (I think there was a verse 57:24 where "Huwa" was missing from some versions).

The solution is a little bit laborous but simple. All scribal errors are to be reviewed, with the context being the prime determiner of which was is correct.

Yes, there are numerous errors, and it's a main topic in Qur'anic studies. Similar to error-correcting codes, we can use quorums or tiebreakers.

57:24 and who turned away so indeed الله He the ample the praiseworthy
60:6  and who turned away so indeed الله He the ample the praiseworthy

Hafs 706-796CE; Warsh 728-812CE (هو Huwa/He missing 57:24)

7th line from top هو missing "Saray Medina 1a" (700 - 800CE)
https://corpuscoranicum.de/en/manuscripts/56/page/351v?sura=57&verse=24

10th line from top 1st word is هو Emanet 13 (650 - 750CE)
https://corpuscoranicum.de/en/manuscripts/59/page/192v?sura=57&verse=24

3rd line from bottom 2nd word is هو Bibliothèque France Arabe 331 (650 - 750CE)
https://corpuscoranicum.de/en/manuscripts/32/page/52v?sura=57&verse=24

3rd line from bottom 1st word is هو Wetzstein II 1913 (660 - 710CE)
https://corpuscoranicum.de/en/manuscripts/163/page/191v?sura=57&verse=24

Another example: من who (missing in oldest dated manuscript)

22:4 decreed upon him that he (word missing?) befriends him
so indeed he misguided him and guided him towards punishment the blaze

10th line from bottom من (who) missing? Bibliothèque nationale de France Arabe 328 (c) 568-645 CE
https://corpuscoranicum.de/en/manuscripts/158/page/82v?sura=22&verse=4


From the context above, the error is obvious, as with other examples, albeit more nuanced.

2nd line from bottom last word is من (who) Tübingen Ma VI 165 (650 - 700CE)
https://corpuscoranicum.de/en/manuscripts/107/page/24r?sura=22&verse=4

In the absence of context, then we need to look at other verses that support or reject the scribal difference (is God "King" of Judgement Day or "Possessor" of Judgement Day?).

Kings are confined to ruling over people, entities, territories, etc. A sovereign, however, can also rule over time.

1:4 Māliki (Sovereign/Owner) day Ad-Dīni

82:17-19 and what makes know you what day Ad-Dīni?
furthermore what makes know you what day Ad-Dīni?
day not Tamliku (it sovereignty) soul for soul thing of
and the directive day thereof لله (to God)

114:2 Maliki (King) An-Nāsi (the people)

Take for example 30:2-3, all "codified" versions have Rome losing then winning. Yet, the context screams the opposite. Digging a bit deeper, we find that there were some versions of the Qur'an that did indeed have Rome "winning and then losing" - as I said, it is quite a task.

Same as 2:249 23:106 Ghalabat (prevail she/it/they)

Salaam

[centi50]

It does not say to wash the feet
5:6
fāghsilū/so washes ye of faces yours and hands yours to the elbow
wa amsaĥū/and wipes ye of in heads yours and feet yours to the ankles two

there are not two variations
2:222
Wa Lā Taqrabūhunna Ĥattá Yaţhurna
and not thou approach ye them (f) until purified they (f)

Fa'idhā Taţahharna Fa'tūhunna
so when of are purified (f) so approach ye them (f)

there is nothing to resolve
2:125 وَإِذْ  Wa 'Idh/and when (past) ...
وَاتَّخَذُوا Wa Attakhadhū/and have taken (past) they of

example which clarifies slight difference
5:57 O ye the ones believes ye of not
تَتَّخِذُوا Tattakhidhū/thou take (present) ye of the ones

اتَّخَذُوا  Attakhadhū/have taken (past) they of creed yours mock of

Salam bro,

I agree with you is wipe your head and feet and this is what I do. If maybe I came from muddy place or dusty I wash my feet. But clearly the verb is wipe the head and feet

God bless you

[Wakas]

peace BH,

You need to write a book ar article on these findings. They are helpful.

[Bajram Hoxhaj]

peace BH,

You need to write a book ar article on these findings. They are helpful.

Salaam Wakas,

There are thousands of recitations https://erquran.org/

22:2 سُكْرَىٰ وَمَا هُمْ بِسُكْرَىٰ sukrā wa-mā hum bi-sukrā (14 letters)
22:2 سَكْرِىٰ وَمَا هُمْ بِسَكْرِىٰ sakrē wa-mā hum bi-sakrē (14 letters)
22:2 سَكْرَىٰ وَمَا هُمْ بِسُكْرَىٰ sakrā wa-mā hum bi-sukrā (14 letters)
22:2 سَكْرَىٰ وَمَا هُمْ بِسَكْرَىٰ sakrā wa-mā hum bi-sakrā (14 letters)

22:2 سُكَارَىٰ وَمَا هُمْ بِسَكْرَىٰ sukārā wa-mā hum bi-sakrā (15 letters)
22:2 سَكْرَىٰ وَمَا هُمْ بِسُكَارَىٰ sakrā wa-mā hum bi-sukārā (15 letters)

22:2 سَكَارَىٰ وَمَا هُمْ بِسَكَارَىٰ sakārā wa-mā hum bi-sakārā (16 letters)
22:2 سُكَارَىٰ وَمَا هُمْ بِسُكَارَىٰ sukārā wa-mā hum bi-sukārā (16 letters)

While the oldest manuscripts are different...

22:2 سكرىا وما هم بسكرىا spelled with trailing alifs (16 letters)
a drunken state (sukārāan) and not themselves in a drunken state (bisukārāan)

Arabe 328 (c) see 5th line from Bismillah
https://corpuscoranicum.de/en/manuscripts/158/page/82v?sura=22&verse=2

Ma VI 165 see 4th and 5th line from bottom
https://corpuscoranicum.de/en/manuscripts/107/page/24r?sura=22&verse=2

"Emanet 13" see 3rd line from the top
https://corpuscoranicum.de/en/manuscripts/59/page/117v?sura=22&verse=2