The standard Islamic Narrative when it comes to the Qur’ān is that there’s only one Qur’ān, but how true is this? Muslims when crazy 4 years ago when Jay Smith and Hatun Tash introduced 26 different Arabic Qur’ān’s at speaker’s corner. To date there are about 37-40 different Arabic Qur’ān’s which have variants, contradicting one another.

We’re going to introduce this series of variant readings of the different Qur’ān’s providing the Arabic for your viewing pleasure.

Hafs Qur’ān Vs. Warsh Qur’ān

The Hafs Qur’ān is being the most popular among Muslims today, the second most popular version is the Warsh Qur’ān mostly used in the following countries Algeria, Morocco, parts of Tunisia, West Africa and Sudan. Below is a reading of Surah 21:4 from both the Hafs and Warsh.

Hafs Qur’ān Arabic Text

Hafs Qur’ān: qaala “He said”

HE SAID: My Lord knows what is spoken in the heaven and the earth, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

Warsh Qur’ān Arabic Text

Warsh Qur’ān: qul “Say (imperative: God is speaking)”

SAY; My Lord knows whatever is said throughout the heaven and the earth, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

Conclusion

Question for Muslims: Is Muhammad the one speaking here, or is Allah commanding? Is this injunction coming from man or God?