Quran Issues:
Versions & Variations - Quran 37:12
Question: Is there one or many Arabic versions of the Quran?
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Overview
There are several modes of Quranic recitation in Arabic (Qiraat) and some differ in words and meaning. The following is an example.
In the Quranic recitation known as Hafs, Quran 37:12 states that Muhammad was surprised at the disbelievers (‘Ajibta). However, in the Quranic recitations known as Doori and Khalaf, Quran 37:12 states that Allah was surprised at the disbelievers (‘Ajibtu). This means that Muhammad was surprised according to the Hafs Quran ("But you (Muhammad) wonder, while they mock") and Allah was surprised according to the Doori and Khalaf Quran ("But I (Allah) wonder, while they mock").
It should be noted that this issue cannot be accounted for by different pronunciations of the same word. The reason why the pronunciations are different is that the words are different depending on which Arabic Quran is being used. This shows that (despite what some Muslims claim) there are different Arabic versions of the Quran - the word 'version' means 'similar but different'.
These considerations should be presented when Muslims claim that the Bible (in contrast to the Quran) cannot be trusted because there are different versions (variations) of the Bible. The same standard when applied to the Quran makes the Quran equally untrustworthy.
Further Considerations
The majority of Muslims are familiar with the Hafs Quran. The Hafs Quran was selected (from among other Arabic recitations of the Quran) to be mass-produced and widely distributed throughout the Islamic world. This decision was made in 1923/4 in Egypt by a committee of scholars associated with Al-Azhar University. The Doori Quran is used mostly in Sudan (as well as other parts of East Africa) and the Khalaf Quran is popular among Islamic academia and scholarship.
The Hafs, Doori and Khalaf Quran are considered among the ten canonical and official readings of the Quran in Arabic.