Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Firstly i want to thank and congratulate u on keeping this magnifecient work. May Allah bless you with more knowledge. Some of my shia friend say that there were two versions of Quran and Hazrat Ali`s version was detroyed by some of the companions and hazrat Usman was murderred because he made few changes to Quran. Can you please shed some light on this topic if there is one in the first place in historical prespective leading to the muder of hazrat Usman. 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Quran during Hadrat Ali and Hadrat Uthman’s time

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His  forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Some of my shia friend say that there were two versions of Quran and Hazrat Ali`s version was detroyed by some of the companions and hazrat Usman was murderred because he made few changes to Quran.

The claims of some sect that Hadrat Imam Ali (r.a.) had a different version of the Quran than the one real version is absolutely ridiculous and malicious. Firstly, anyone who believes in the Supreme Words of the All-Mighty, has to be satisfied with His Decree that He Himself has taken the responsibility of safeguarding the Glorious Quran from any corruption whatsoever!

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 15 Surah Al Hijr verse 9:It is We (Allah), Who has sent down this Quran, and We will assuredly guard it against corruption.

Secondly, after the brutal murder of Hadrat Uthman (r.a.), Hadrat Ai (r.a.) was chosen by the believers as their leader, Ameer-ul-Mumineen, and Khalifaah. The question that should be posed to the blasphemous who claim that there was a different version of the Glorious Quran with Hadrat Ali (r.a.) should be: ‘When Hadrat Ali (r.a.) became the Ameer-ul-Mumineen after Hadrat Uthman (r.a.), did he declare his version of the Quran, or did he follow the exact same version as was recited during the reign of Hadrat Uthman (r.a.)?’ There is absolutely no doubt that Hadrat Ali (r.a.) followed, obeyed, and recited the exact same Quran! If, even after this logical and irrefutable question, they still claim that Hadrat Ali (r.a.) had a different version, but for some reason did not declare it to the believers….then it is obvious that these people have just not recognized the status, position, and righteousness of this noble and respected companion of the Messenger of Allah (saws). It would be absolutely inconceivable that a person of the status of Hadrat Ali (r.a.) would not disclose his version of the Quran to the believers; and allow them to follow a false version!!!

Their claim that Hadrat Ali (r.a.) had a different version of the Quran, but allowed the believers to accept and follow a false version of the Quran is nothing but absolute falsehood and misguidance! The Quran was exactly the same as the one that was Revealed by Allah Subhanah upon the Last Messenger, Mohammed-ar-Rasool Allah (saws).

Your Question: Can you please shed some light on this topic if there is one in the first place in historical prespective leading to the muder of hazrat Usman. 

During the reign of Hadrat Umar (r.a.), the Message of Islam had spread to probably half the known world of the times. When Hadrat Uthman (r.a.) was chosen as the Khalifa after the death of Hadrat Umar (r.a.), some people close to him took advantage of their positions, especially his brother-in-law Marwan ibn Hakkam; and he was instrumental in placing a lot of incapable people from his tribe (Banu-Umayyah) as the governors of those newly conquered Islamic territories. Hadrat Imam Ali (r.a.) and Hadrat Aisha (r.a.) used to regularly caution Hadrat Uthman (r.a.) about the condition of the governors and their attitude with their subjects, but to no avail. Some of the subjects from territories like Shaam (present Syria), Misr (present Egypt), and Iraq came to Medina to voice their grieviances to Hadrat Uthman (r.a.) and the other close companions. Hadrat Ali (r.a.) was instrumental in calming their fears and negotiating with them to calm them down and take corrective actions on their concerns. A small group from among these people revolted, took advantage of the mob scenario and tried to kill Hadrat Uthman (r.a.). When Hadrat Ali (r.a.) heard about their plans to kill Hadrat Uthman (r.a.), he himself with his two noble sons, Hassan (r.a.) and Hussain (r.a.) stood guard at Hadrat Uthman’s house to protect his life! But subsequently, the mob circumvented and evaded them, and succeeded in their mission of murdering Hadrat Uthman (r.a.).

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan