The Collection of the Qur'an
Al-Sayyid Abu al-Qasim al-Musawi al-Khui
Chapter# /Title
Chapter 4: The Contrariety of the Collection Traditions to the Book of God
These traditions are evidently contrary to the Qur’an. For many verses of the Noble Book demonstrate that the suras of the Qur’ an were distinct in form and content from each other, and were widely spread among the people, including the idolaters of Mekka and the people of the Book. Significantly, the Prophet had challenged the unbelievers and idolaters to produce the like of the Qur’an, and the like of ten suras from it, and even one sura. This means that the suras of the Qur’an were available to them. Numerous verses apply the word al-kitab (the Book) to the Qur’an. Moreover, in the famous tradition of al-thaqalayn, the Prophet says, “I leave among you two things of high estimation: the Book of God and my Family.” In this tradition there is evidence that the Qur’an had been collected and written, because it is not correct to call it al-kitab when it is merely in the [people’s] memories. Indeed, it is even inappropriate to apply the word al-kitab to the fragments written on palm branches, flat stones, and shoulder blades, except when such an application is figurative and from particular attention. But a word may not be used metaphorically without something to indicate that. The word al-kitab obviously signifies a single and united entity. It is not applied to a text which is scattered and not collected, let alone [one which is] still if unwritten and preserved only in the memories.