ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Shiite Apologetics Question Sixteen Do the Shiites believe that the Quran has been distorted? Answer: The renowned Shiite scholars unanimously maintain that no distortion whatsoever has entered into the sacred precinct of the Quran: nothing has been added to it nor anything has been dropped from it, and that the Quran we have with us today is the same divine Scripture which was revealed to the noble Prophet.

To this regard, a few elucidatory points are presented below: The Lord of the worlds Himself has guaranteed the protection of the Quran by saying Surely, We have revealed the reminder and We will most surely be its guardian 15:9. It is evident that the Shiites, giving the Quran their widest attention in making their decisions and taking actions, value this holy Quranic verse and do believe in the message it conveys.

The great leader of the Shiites, `Ali (a.s), a constant company of the noble Prophet and a scribe of the Revelation, has, in various circumstances, invited people to the same Quran in common use.

Quoted below are some of his words in this regard: And know that this Quran is an advisor that never deceives and a guide that never misleads.[1] Verily, Allah, the Glorified, has never advised anyone as He has done through the Quran; therefore, it is His strong rope and His plain medium.[2] Then He sent upon him (Muhammad - peace be upon him and his descendants) a book which can be likened to a light whose flame can not be put out, a dazzling lamp whose gleam does not die, a path that never leads its traveler astray, and a separator of good from evil whose arguments will never weaken.[3] The lofty words of the great Imam of the Shiites imply that the glorious Quran is similar to a beacon that gives light, illuminating the way for the travelers and will remain so forever.

No distortion will ever enter into it, distortion of the kind that may extinguish its light or lead the people astray. The Shiite scholars of religion unanimously hold that the holy Prophet (a.s) has said, I leave behind two precious things among you: the Book of Allah (The Quran) and my Ahl al- Bayt, my Itrah ; You will never go astray so long as you adhere to them.

This is an Islamic tradition with unbroken chain of narrators, frequently quoted by both Shiites and Sunnis, confirming the Shiites' belief that no alteration will ever [1] Subhi al-Salih's Nahj al-Balaghah, sermon 176.