Hence, when that which we possess is of accepted...

Hence, when that which we possess is of accepted authenticity, it is incumbent that we devote ourselves to its exegesis and elucidation and set aside anything apart from it.6 Abu 'Ali al-Tabrasi (6th/12th century), the author of the exegesis Ajma al-bayan, observes: ...As to the issue of additions to and deletions from the Qur'an, addition to it is negated by a consensus refuting it, and as to deletions from it, a group of our companions (Shiis) and a group of the Hashwiyyah from Sunnis have narrated occurrence of alteration in and deletion from the Qur'an.

The correct view in accordance with the belief of our companions (Imamiyyah) is the opposite of it, and it is what has been held by al-Murtada - may God sanctify his soul.7 Al-Shaykh `Abd al-Jalil al-Razi al-Faritsi, author of the book al‑aqd written around 560/1164, after mentioning the accusation against the Shi`ah that they have narrated the tradition describing the incident f some domestic animal having eaten up the script of some verses assessed by `A'ishah (mentioned above in the tradition from Ibn rajah), observes: "This tradition is present in the books of the Ahl al‑ Sunnah Then he…