# Did the variant readings of the Quran come from missing dots and vowel marks?

*Did the variant readings arise from the lack of dots and vowel marks? And a clarification: no verse of rajm in the Quran*

- URL: https://muftiabulayth.org/r/f2bcgwatu5g/s/22/
- Date: 2020-06-19 · Kind: question · Transcript tier: machine · Recording: Dr. Shehzad Saleem | the Preservation of the Quran & the Problem of Qira'at | MindTrap with Mufti#26 (1:41:28–1:42:47)
- Status: a view quoted in order to be discussed, not a position held
- Watch from the start of the segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2BcGWatU5g&t=6088s
- Recording page: https://muftiabulayth.org/r/f2bcgwatu5g/

**Topics:** Preservation and variant readings; Quranic Arabic; Guest conversations

**Question as asked:** Are the variations in the Quran because the early script did not have diacritical marks?

**Summary (not a quotation; machine-made, unchecked):** Partly: the guest says the lack of diacritics let words like ya'lamun and ta'lamun be read either way where both were ascribed to the Prophet, one of several causes he lists. Mufti Abu Layth clarifies that nobody is claiming a verse of rajm exists in the Quran.

## Longer summary

Asked whether the variations in the Quran are due to the early script lacking diacritical marks, the guest says this is one of several reasons he enumerates in his book: without dots a word like ya'lamun could also be read ta'lamun, since the distinguishing marks above and below were absent, and where both readings were ascribed to the Prophet the reciters applied their preferential criteria. Mufti Abu Layth then clears up a repeated question on rajm: neither he nor the guest says there is a verse of rajm in the Quran; the guest's point was that the muharaba verse could incorporate the concept of stoning, not that a verse of rajm exists.

## Sources and names cited

- Dr Shehzad Saleem (guest)
- qira'at (the variant readings)
- rajm (stoning)
- Quran 5:33 (the muharaba verse): https://quran.com/5/33

## Transcript (machine tier, 1:41:28–1:42:47)

[1:41:15] having diacritic marks well one of the reasons as I said that there are several reasons I have enumerated them in my book so another reason is because of the lack of diacritical marks there was some similarity in words as well sanctioned by this knowledge you see thoroughly moon and yalla moon was caused because of the fact that their diacritic was not present above and below and both had and it's not traced back to the Prophet as well so you could have read thoroughly moon and you could have already around the moon and of course in the absence of these diacritic marks and because of the fact that both readings were were

[1:41:55] ascribed to the Prophet we have two hats have some other preferential criteria and that was exercised as well excellent the person are repeating though I've we've already answered the question on rajim and yes to be clear it's not there's no verse in the quran of rajim neither do you nobody would say that because it's not a first in the quran what you what you were referring to just to be clear for the person will is that the verse on muhabba and these things could incorporate the concert HM not that the verse of rajim is in that verse it's not just to be clear you know noctus I wasn't saying that the

[1:42:33] actual verse of rajim is there right okay somebody's asked okay I'll take some people are saying don't ignore the Facebook questions I'm not because I've got both of them open here YouTube Facebook if the Quranic language do you believe it to be miraculous and how are there multiple versions if it is miraculous I mean do you you know people say the quran is a miracle is there a miracle and and why how so because people today are asking this question I know that could be an incredibly detailed I understand that and but I mean are they some pointers you would just put out straight away do you feel

## Cite

Mufti Abu Layth Archive, segment f2BcGWatU5g/s/22. https://muftiabulayth.org/r/f2bcgwatu5g/s/22/

Not a fatwa: these answers were given to specific people at specific times. Ask a qualified scholar about your own situation.