Lecture on Quranic Manuscripts and Sanaa Palimpsest

Introduction

• Discovery of one of the oldest Quranic parchments
• Identical to modern Quran but has traces of an older text beneath
• Older text has some rephrased verses, added, and removed words

Significance of the Discovery

• 12,000 parchments found in Yemen in 1971
• Belong to 926 manuscripts (muss)
• Oldest date back to the first century of Hijra
• Some manuscripts almost complete

C1 Manuscript

• Known for being a palimpsest (reused writing material)
• Erased older text beneath the current text
• Differences revealed through x-ray analysis
• Led to claims that the Quran has changed

Addressing the Claims

Islamic Tradition

• Quran is an oral tradition passed down generations
• Highest level of text authentication (chain of narration and known biographies)
• Manuscripts without known sources are not accepted religiously

Logical Perspective

• 926 manuscripts found, 925 identical to modern Quran, only C1 differs
• Illogical to dismiss 925 identical manuscripts based on one with corrections
• C1 likely used for learning purposes (not preservation)

Testimonies from Researchers

• Initial false claims by Gerd Puin about Quran’s stability
• Refuted by Professor Gregor Schuler and Professor Ursula D. Holds
• Puin himself retracted earlier statements

Comparative Analysis

• Bible manuscripts have far more variations and depend on much later manuscripts
• New Testament largely based on manuscripts from 11th to 15th century

Conclusion

• False claims about Quran changes based on unsubstantiated evidence
• Emphasis on Quran’s unchanged text over 14 centuries

Additional Resources

• Links to further reading materials and related books