Journal of Islamic Studies (Jan 2017)
Ibn-Abbaass's Statements Misinterpreted as Raising Doubts on Writing the Qur'an
Abstract
This research examines statements made by Ibn-Abbass regarding the writing of the Quranic script; the statements may be misunderstood as doubting the script writing process. It attempts to survey Ibn-Abbaass's statements in question, to establish how sound or weak they are, to investigate the problematic statements, to affirm the credibility of the Qur'anic script with respect to the soundness of the Islamic faith, and to identify and discuss the ulama's related views, highlighting the most potential view. Methodologically, the research follows an inductive analytical approach. This surveys, documents and validates Ibn-Abbaass's statements in terms of text and chain of narrators. It also surveys ulama's varied views in that respect. The research has reached the following conclusions: 1- Ibn-Abbaass's explicit statements questioning the writing the Qur'anic script are limited in number, only four; 2- only two statements are nearer to the truth; Ibn-Abbaass is not reported to have mentioned "Zaid Ibn-Thaabit" by name, but "the script writer", and hence the possibility of varied meanings; even if Ibn-Abbaass's query is acceptable, the Qur'anic script remains unaffected; and Ibn-Abbaass has been influenced by the Qur'anic reading style of his teacher Ubayy Ibn-Ka'b, as obvious in a number of strange recitations. The research makes the following recommendations: further studies should be conducted on related statements made by other sahaabah (Prophet's companions) and the taabi'een (sahaabah's successors); there should be a revision of all comments made on such problematic statements; related research should not aim at defending the Qur'anic script against doubters; and research should concentrate on the validity and significance of statements.
