I. The Divine Word and Human Custodianship
Throughout human history, the divine word has descended to guide mankind — through prophets, scrolls, and revelation. But revelation, once sent, enters the hands of men. It must therefore be guarded, both in text and in spirit.
“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Reminder, and indeed, We will be its Guardian.”
Here lies the central tension of scripture: God reveals, but man preserves. Where the human fails, distortion enters. Where God guarantees preservation, revelation remains pure.
II. The Qur’an — Perfect Preservation by Divine Decree
The Qur’an stands unique among world scriptures in claiming divine preservation — not merely of message, but of exact words, sounds, and letters. From the earliest revelation to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, verses were memorized by his companions (huffaz) and recorded by appointed scribes under direct supervision. Within two decades of his passing, the text was standardized under Caliph ʿUthman ibn ʿAffan (may Allah be pleased with him), with copies distributed across the Muslim world.
“Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; it is a revelation from One Wise and Praiseworthy.”
Fourteen centuries later, every Qur’an on earth — from Lagos to Lahore, Makkah to Minneapolis — remains identical in wording, structure, and recitation. Its oral transmission forms a living chain of unbroken memory, unmatched in history.
III. The Bible — Inspiration through Human Transmission
The Bible’s history is both remarkable and complex. It was not revealed as a single text but as a collection of writings — law, poetry, prophecy, and letters — spanning more than a thousand years. Its textual preservation, however, rests upon human custodianship. The original manuscripts (autographs) of both the Old and New Testaments no longer exist; what survives are copies of copies, written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, with thousands of variants.
“So woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say, ‘This is from Allah,’ to exchange it for a small price.”
While many differences are minor, others affect meaning and doctrine. This does not erase the Bible’s moral power or its role in human civilization. Yet from a Qur’anic lens, it reflects human memory of revelation, not the unaltered word of God.
IV. The Book of Mormon — Revelation without Record
The Book of Mormon presents a third model: a scripture claimed to be divinely revealed through translation of an ancient record — the “gold plates.” According to Joseph Smith, these plates contained the writings of prophets from 600 BCE to 421 CE, inscribed in “Reformed Egyptian.” However, the plates were reportedly taken back by the angel Moroni after translation, leaving no original text for verification.
“And they say, ‘We have faith in it,’ yet they have no proof except assumption. Indeed, assumption avails nothing against the truth.”
Without the source language or manuscript tradition, the Book of Mormon stands as a revelation without preservation, dependent entirely on faith in its translator.
V. Canonization — From Revelation to Institution
Canonization reflects the meeting point of revelation and power. In Christianity, the Biblical canon emerged over centuries through councils and creeds, as church fathers debated which writings carried apostolic authority. In contrast, Islam’s canon was fixed within a single generation by divine instruction and prophetic supervision. The Prophet ﷺ personally dictated the order of verses and chapters; the compilation by ʿUthman was not innovation but standardization of an already-complete revelation.
“And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and justice. None can change His words.”
The Book of Mormon’s canonization, however, rests solely on the word of one man — without historical precedent, manuscript tradition, or communal transmission. Even within Latter-day Saint history, new revelations continue through the Doctrine and Covenants, reflecting an open canon — theologically dynamic but epistemically unstable.
VI. Textual Integrity and Divine Intent
In Islam, preservation of the Qur’an is both a miracle and a mandate. Allah’s promise of protection is complemented by human responsibility to recite, memorize, and transmit it precisely. In Christianity, preservation is seen through faith rather than fact. In Mormonism, the absence of original sources forces reliance on prophetic testimony — replacing manuscript tradition with visionary authority.
“It is but a revelation revealed. Taught to him by one intense in strength.”
Each system reflects a theology of trust: the Qur’an — trust in divine protection; the Bible — trust in inspired recollection; the Book of Mormon — trust in human mediation. Only one, however, aligns with the Qur’anic definition of revelation.
VII. Reflection
Scripture is the mirror of revelation. Where it remains uncorrupted, the light of divine truth shines undimmed. Where it is altered, fractured, or fabricated, shadows replace clarity. The Qur’an stands alone as a text whose words are identical to those revealed, whose rhythm resounds in the same tongue, and whose preservation was both promised and fulfilled.
“We sent down to you the Book in truth, confirming what was before it and as a criterion over it.”
In that criterion — the Qur’an — all scriptures find their measure. It does not erase their truth, but restores their origin. It does not condemn human error, but rescues revelation from it. For the word of God, once revealed, does not fade. It endures — unbroken, unaltered, eternal.