Admitting an Addition to the Text of the Noble Qur’an

Question

On 23 December 1978 a debate was held in the city of Cuttack, at which the scholars of Bareilly issued a handbill in which one verse of the noble Qur’an was printed — incorrectly. When they were asked what this was, they said: “This is a Qur’anic addition, not an alteration.” The verse is: [ar]وَهُوَ الْهَادِي إِلَى سَوَاءِ السَّبِيلِ، إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا الْإِصْلَاحَ وَمَا تَوْفِيقِي إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ[/ar]. The question: how does the pure Sacred Law regard an open admission of tahrif?

Answer

Iman and kufr are both, in origin, matters of the heart, which only the person concerned can know. There are, however, certain things that have been designated as indications (amarat), and on the basis of those indications a ruling can be given. But a ruling of kufr is an extreme thing, and therefore strong evidence is required.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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