Spelling Inconsistencies in the Quran: Difference between revisions

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Spelling Inconsistencies in the Quran (view source)

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In the most widespread version of the Arabic Quran (qira'a Hafs in the Uthmani script) there are inconsistencies (also known as errors) in the spelling of many words.
{{QualityScore|Lead=2|Structure=3|Content=4|Language=4|References=4}}


==Examples==
In the most widespread version of the Arabic Quran ([[Textual_History_of_the_Qur'an#The_Qira'at_(Variant_Oral_Readings_of_the_Qur'an)|qira'a]] ''Hafs'' in the ''Uthmani'' script) there are inconsistencies and apparent errors in the spelling of many words. It would not be possible to include all the errors in a wiki article, as there are a large number of these errors and numerous other errors in other ''qira'at'' or oral readings of the Qur'an. More grammatical errors can be found in a book الأخطاء اللغوية في القرآن ("Linguistic errors in the Koran") by Sami Aldeeb (in Arabic). The errors listed here, it should be noted, are not differences between different qira'aat, but rather are spelling inconsistencies within the Hafs qira'a. Some of these differences occur in the Uthmani script, which is older than the more modern imla'i script. Furthermore, the differences are in the spelling, and not in the pronunciation (recitation). In some cases Islamic scholars have added diacritics and super scripted notations to indicate the missing letters and sounds that are to be pronounced.


* This is not a complete list. <ref>More grammatical errors can be found in a book الأخطاء اللغوية في القرآن ("Linguistic errors in the Koran") by Sami Aldeeb (in Arabic)</ref>
A similar issue (not covered in this article) is that the consonantal text of the Quran seems to contain grammatical inconsistencies and mistakes. In such cases, the qira'at sometimes differ from each other when canonical readers tried to "correct" these mistakes in their recitations (a discussion of this phenomena by an academic expert on the reading traditions can be read [https://brill.com/view/journals/dsd/29/3/article-p438_9.xml?language=en here]<ref>van Putten, M. (2022). [https://brill.com/view/journals/dsd/29/3/article-p438_9.xml?language=en When the Readers Break the Rules: Disagreement with the Consonantal Text in the Canonical Quranic Reading Traditions]. Dead Sea Discoveries, 29(3), 438-462. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685179-02903008</ref>).
* These are not differences between different qira'aat, these are differences within the Hafs qira'a
 
* These differences occur in the Uthmani script, which is older than the more modern imla'i script
== Noteworthy spellings ==
* The differences are in the spelling, not in the pronunciation (recitation)
 
** In some cases Islamic scholars added diacritics to indicate the missing letters that are to be pronounced.
===In the name of (باسم)===
The word "name" in Arabic is اسم (''ism''). If one adds the preposition "in" (ب, ''bi''), it's باسم (''bism'', or with the genitive ending ''bism'''i'''''). However at basmalas ("In the name of...") at the  beginning of suras and in 27:30 and 11:41 it's written as بسم without the alif:
{{Quote|{{Quran|1|1}}|
'''In the name of''' (بسم) Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
}}
 
In several other such cases, however, the alif is included (56:74, 56:96, 69:52, 96:1). For example in the first verse (in historical order):
{{Quote|{{Quran|96|1}}|
Recite '''in the name of''' (باسم) your Lord who created -
}}


===Abraham (إبراهيم)===
===Abraham (إبراهيم)===
The name Abraham (إبراهيم, ''ibraaheem'') occurs 69 times in the Quran. <ref>http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=%3CiboraAhiym (the Quran quotes here use the imla'i script, but if you go to http://quran.com/2/124 you'll see Uthmani إبرهم)</ref> In the Uthmani script the letter ا (''alif'') in the middle is missing, so it's written as إبرهيم. Without that letter, the writing would be still consistent with itself. However in the second sura, the letter ي is also missing, so it's written as إبرهم. So all suras except the 2nd have إبرهيم, but all 15 occurrences in sura al-baqara (in 2:124, 1:125 ..2:260) have إبرهم with the letter ي missing.
The name Abraham (إبراهيم, ''ibraaheem'') occurs 69 times in the Quran. <ref>http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=%3CiboraAhiym (the Quran quotes here use the imla'i script, but if you go to http://quran.com/2/124 you'll see Uthmani إبرهم)</ref> In the Uthmani script the letter ا (''alif'') in the middle is missing, so it's written as إبرهيم. in the second sura, the letter ي is also missing, so it's written as إبرهم. All suras except the 2nd have إبرهيم, but all 15 occurrences in sura al-baqara (in 2:124, 1:125 ..2:260) have إبرهم with the letter ي missing, suggesting, perhaps, that it was transcribed by a different scribe.


===Son of mother (ابن أم)===
===Son of mother (ابن أم)===
In the verse 20:94, the two words were joined together:
In the verse 20:94, the two words are joined together:
{{Quote|{{Quran|20|94}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|20|94}}|
[Aaron] said, "'''O son of my mother''' (يبنؤم, ''ya-bna-umma''), do not seize [me] by my beard or by my head. Indeed, I feared that you would say, 'You caused division among the Children of Israel, and you did not observe [or await] my word.' "
[Aaron] said, "'''O son of my mother''' (يبنؤم, ''ya-bna-umma''), do not seize [me] by my beard or by my head. Indeed, I feared that you would say, 'You caused division among the Children of Israel, and you did not observe [or await] my word.' "
}}
}}
But in 7:150 it was written separately and without the vocative particle ''ya'':
In 7:150 it was written separately and without the vocative particle ''ya'':
{{Quote|{{Quran|7|150}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|7|150}}|
And when Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said, "How wretched is that by which you have replaced me after [my departure]. Were you impatient over the matter of your Lord?" And he threw down the tablets and seized his brother by [the hair of] his head, pulling him toward him. [Aaron] said, "'''O son of my mother''' (ابن أم, ''ibna umma''), indeed the people oppressed me and were about to kill me, so let not the enemies rejoice over me and do not place me among the wrongdoing people."
And when Moses returned to his people, angry and grieved, he said, "How wretched is that by which you have replaced me after [my departure]. Were you impatient over the matter of your Lord?" And he threw down the tablets and seized his brother by [the hair of] his head, pulling him toward him. [Aaron] said, "'''O son of my mother''' (ابن أم, ''ibna umma''), indeed the people oppressed me and were about to kill me, so let not the enemies rejoice over me and do not place me among the wrongdoing people."
Line 32: Line 41:
}}
}}


But in 40:29, it was written without the letter و:
In 40:29, it was written without the letter و:
{{Quote|{{Quran|40|29}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|40|29}}|
O my people, sovereignty is yours today, [your being] dominant in the land. But who would protect us from the punishment of Allah if it came to us?" Pharaoh said, "I do not '''show you''' (أريكم) except what I see, and I do not guide you except to the way of right conduct."
O my people, sovereignty is yours today, [your being] dominant in the land. But who would protect us from the punishment of Allah if it came to us?" Pharaoh said, "I do not '''show you''' (أريكم) except what I see, and I do not guide you except to the way of right conduct."
Line 46: Line 55:


}}
}}
But in one verse (7:166) it is written separately, although the ن is still not pronounced in recitation:
In one verse (7:166) it is written separately, although the ن is still not pronounced in recitation:
{{Quote|{{Quran|7|166}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|7|166}}|
So when they were insolent '''about that which''' (عن ما) they had been forbidden, We said to them, "Be apes, despised."
So when they were insolent '''about that which''' (عن ما) they had been forbidden, We said to them, "Be apes, despised."
Line 59: Line 68:
}}
}}


But in 8:42, alif after ع is missing:
In 8:42, the alif after ع is missing:
{{Quote|{{Quran|8|42}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|8|42}}|
[Remember] when you were on the near side of the valley, and they were on the farther side, and the caravan was lower [in position] than you. If you had made an appointment [to meet], you would have missed '''the appointment''' (الميعد). But [it was] so that Allah might accomplish a matter already destined - that those who perished [through disbelief] would perish upon evidence and those who lived [in faith] would live upon evidence; and indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
[Remember] when you were on the near side of the valley, and they were on the farther side, and the caravan was lower [in position] than you. If you had made an appointment [to meet], you would have missed '''the appointment''' (الميعد). But [it was] so that Allah might accomplish a matter already destined - that those who perished [through disbelief] would perish upon evidence and those who lived [in faith] would live upon evidence; and indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
Line 75: Line 84:
}}
}}


The final alif would be added to the accusative form if the word was indefinite (رسول would become رسولا). But in the verse we have the definite form الرسول.
The final alif would be added to the accusative form if the word was indefinite (رسول would become رسولا). However, in the verse the word is in the definite form الرسول.


The same problem is in the verse 33:67 with the word السبيلا.
The same problem is in the verse 33:67 with the word السبيلا.
Line 119: Line 128:


===A tree (شجرة)===
===A tree (شجرة)===
It appears more than a dozen times (20:120, 37:62, 37:146..) in the common form شجرة (with ة), however in the verse 44:43 it's written with ت:
It appears more than a dozen times (20:120, 37:62, 37:146...) in the common form شجرة (with ة), however in the verse 44:43 it's written with ت:
{{Quote|{{Quran|44|43}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|44|43}}|
Indeed, the tree (شجرت, ''shajarat'') of zaqqum
Indeed, the tree (شجرت, ''shajarat'') of zaqqum
Line 132: Line 141:
}}
}}


But 6 times (2:102, 3:187, 5:62, 5:63, 5:79, 5:80) separately as بئس ما:
6 times (2:102, 3:187, 5:62, 5:63, 5:79, 5:80) separately as بئس ما:
{{Quote|{{Quran|3|187}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|3|187}}|
'''And wretched is that which''' (فبئس ما, ''fa-bi'sa maa'') they purchased.
'''And wretched is that which''' (فبئس ما, ''fa-bi'sa maa'') they purchased.
Line 145: Line 154:
}}
}}


But in one verse it's written with one alif:
In one verse it's written with one alif:
{{Quote|{{Quran|41|12}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|41|12}}|
And He completed them as seven '''heavens''' (سموات) within two days and inspired in each heaven its command..
And He completed them as seven '''heavens''' (سموات) within two days and inspired in each heaven its command..
Line 157: Line 166:
Whoever Allah guides - he is the [rightly] guided (المهتدى); and whoever He sends astray - it is those who are the losers.
Whoever Allah guides - he is the [rightly] guided (المهتدى); and whoever He sends astray - it is those who are the losers.
}}
}}
But in 17:97 it is written as المهتدِ:
In 17:97 it is written as المهتدِ:
{{Quote|{{Quran|17|97}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|17|97}}|
And whoever Allah guides - he is the [rightly] guided (المهتدِ); and whoever He sends astray - you will never find for them protectors besides Him..
And whoever Allah guides - he is the [rightly] guided (المهتدِ); and whoever He sends astray - you will never find for them protectors besides Him..
Line 168: Line 177:
}}
}}


But two times it was written as شركاؤا in 6:94 and 42:21.
Two times it was written as شركاؤا in 6:94 and 42:21.
{{Quote|{{Quran|42|21}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|42|21}}|
Or have they other '''deities''' (شركؤا) who have ordained for them a religion to which Allah has not consented? But if not for the decisive word, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, the wrongdoers will have a painful punishment.
Or have they other '''deities''' (شركؤا) who have ordained for them a religion to which Allah has not consented? But if not for the decisive word, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, the wrongdoers will have a painful punishment.
Line 214: Line 223:
Do they await but that Allah should come to them in covers of '''clouds''' (الغمام) and the angels [as well] and the matter is [then] decided? And to Allah [all] matters are returned.
Do they await but that Allah should come to them in covers of '''clouds''' (الغمام) and the angels [as well] and the matter is [then] decided? And to Allah [all] matters are returned.
}}
}}
But in two other verses the alif is missing:
In two other verses the alif is missing:
{{Quote|{{Quran|7|160}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|7|160}}|
..Every people knew its watering place. And We shaded them with '''clouds''' (الغمم) and sent down upon them manna and quails, [saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you."..
..Every people knew its watering place. And We shaded them with '''clouds''' (الغمم) and sent down upon them manna and quails, [saying], "Eat from the good things with which We have provided you."..
Line 229: Line 238:
And they both raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back, and they found her husband '''at''' (لدى) the door. She said, "What is the recompense of one who intended evil for your wife but that he be imprisoned or a painful punishment?"
And they both raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back, and they found her husband '''at''' (لدى) the door. She said, "What is the recompense of one who intended evil for your wife but that he be imprisoned or a painful punishment?"
}}
}}
But in the verse 40:18 as لدا:
In the verse 40:18 as لدا:
{{Quote|{{Quran|40|18}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|40|18}}|
And warn them, [O Muhammad], of the Approaching Day, when hearts are '''at''' (لدا) the throats, filled [with distress]. For the wrongdoers there will be no devoted friend and no intercessor [who is] obeyed.
And warn them, [O Muhammad], of the Approaching Day, when hearts are '''at''' (لدا) the throats, filled [with distress]. For the wrongdoers there will be no devoted friend and no intercessor [who is] obeyed.
Line 252: Line 261:
The criminals will be known '''by their marks''' (بسيمهم, ''bi-seemaahum''), and they will be seized by the forelocks and the feet.
The criminals will be known '''by their marks''' (بسيمهم, ''bi-seemaahum''), and they will be seized by the forelocks and the feet.
}}
}}
But in 48:29 alif appeared:
In 48:29 alif appeared:
{{Quote|{{Quran|48|29}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|48|29}}|
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. '''Their mark''' (سيماهم, ''seemaahum'') is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah..
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. '''Their mark''' (سيماهم, ''seemaahum'') is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah..
Line 262: Line 271:
O you who have believed, do not consume usury (الرِوبا, ''ar-ribaa''), doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful.
O you who have believed, do not consume usury (الرِوبا, ''ar-ribaa''), doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful.
}}
}}
But in 30:39 it was written without the و as ربا:
In 30:39 it was written without the و as ربا:
{{Quote|{{Quran|30|39}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|30|39}}|
And whatever you give for '''interest''' (ربا) to increase within the wealth of people will not increase with Allah . But what you give in zakah, desiring the countenance of Allah - those are the multipliers.
And whatever you give for '''interest''' (ربا) to increase within the wealth of people will not increase with Allah . But what you give in zakah, desiring the countenance of Allah - those are the multipliers.
}}
}}


Similar thing happened to the words صلاة and حياة. Most of the times were written as صلوة and حيوة and only a few times with an alif.
Something similar happened to the words صلاة and حياة. Most of the times they were written as صلوة and حيوة and only a few times with an alif.


===Something (شيء)===
===Something (شيء)===
Line 284: Line 293:
..And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them '''from behind''' (من وراء) a partition..
..And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them '''from behind''' (من وراء) a partition..
}}
}}
However in the verse 42:51 it was written as ورائ:
In the verse 42:51 it was written as ورائ:
{{Quote|{{Quran|42|51}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|42|51}}|
And it is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation or '''from behind''' (من ورائ) a partition ..
And it is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation or '''from behind''' (من ورائ) a partition ..
Line 298: Line 307:
}}
}}


But two times as لئيكة (also pronounced as ''al-ayka''):
Two times as لئيكة (also pronounced as ''al-ayka''):
{{Quote|{{Quran|38|13}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|38|13}}|
And [the tribe of] Thamud and the people of Lot and the companions of '''the thicket''' (لئيكة). Those are the companies.
And [the tribe of] Thamud and the people of Lot and the companions of '''the thicket''' (لئيكة). Those are the companies.
Line 312: Line 321:
}}
}}


But three times as أيه. For example:
Three times as أيه. For example:
{{Quote|{{Quran|24|31}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|24|31}}|
.. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, '''O''' (أيه) believers, that you might succeed.
.. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, '''O''' (أيه) believers, that you might succeed.
}}
===Quran (قرآن)===
The word Quran (قرءان in Uthmani script) was mentioned 70 times <ref>http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=qrA</ref>. 68 times alif after ء was present. For example (the second alif after ن only marks the accusative case):
{{Quote|{{Quran|39|28}}|
[It is] an Arabic Qur'an (قرءانا), without any deviance that they might become righteous.
}}
In 2 cases (12:2, 43:3) the alif after ء is missing:
{{Quote|{{Quran|12|2}}|
Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an (قرءنا) that you might understand.
}}
}}


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Iltifat]]
 
* [[Linguistic miracles in the Quran]]
*[[Iltifat]]
*[[Tadmeen]]


External:
External:
* [http://quran.com quran.com] - Quran in Uthmani script (not in corpus.quran.com)
 
* [http://al-quran.info al-quran.info] -  Quran in imla'i script
*[http://quran.com quran.com] - Quran in Uthmani script (not in corpus.quran.com)
*[http://al-quran.info al-quran.info] -  Quran in imla'i script


==References==
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Qur'an]]
[[Category:Qur'anic textual history]]
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