Statement on some media reports about an Egyptian priest expressing doubts on some verses of the Quran

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, and Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. May the blessings and peace be upon our master Muḥammad, the last of prophets, on his family, his companions, and to all those who follow him with goodwill until the Day of Judgment.

That said;

The Secretariat General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy followed up what the various media have disseminated about the Egyptian priest (Anba Bichwan, secretary of orthodox copts academy) questioning in one his lectures, which is included in the book of the proceedings of the conference “the clinging of belief”, given in the city of Fayyum, on 21/09/2010, whether some Quranic verses were revealed to the Prophet of Islam in his time or were added later by Othman bin Affan and recommended therefore, to review them by advancing this matter.

Thus, in the name of all the scholars of the entire Ummah and all Muslim peoples worldwide, the Secretariat General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy wishes to express its indignation and to denounce all presumptions, ideas or words that affect Muslims and insists on the fact that they are a flagrant aggression against their Holy Book, in front of which it has a great value and status, and that they can only emanate from people hostile to the Holy Book of Allah, to Islam and Muslims, and to the whole of humanity. These claims lead to the provocation of hostilities, animosities and calamities between nations and peoples and to the destruction of the bonds between human beings, about which Allah said in the Holy Qur’an: « O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. » Al-Hujurat -13

The Secretariat General of Academy, in denouncing this act, confirms to mankind, of all creeds, nationalities and religions, an obvious reality known to the followers of all revealed religions and which consists in the fact that the Holy Quran is the only Book preserved from alteration, It has never been modified by human hands through additions, deletions or changes, because Allah The Almighty has assumed preserving it by Himself against modifications, neither by the Companions of the Prophet, nor by any other human being, ever since it was revealed to the Prophet, PBUH.

Similarly, the Secretariat General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy insists that the Holy Qur’an, in all its verses, words and letters, is the Book of Allah revealed to His Prophet PBUH, and that his Companions did not touch its Sacred Text while collecting it. The role of Caliph Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) was to collect it, without adding or deleting a single letter to what was left by the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him), and that it will remain preserved and guarded from any alteration until the Day of Resurrection. Allah The Almighty said: « Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an, and indeed, We will be its guardian. » Al-Hijr -9

And it will remain dear and characterized by holiness and glory until the Day of Resurrection. Allah The Almighty says: « They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it. » As-Saff -8

Thus, the Secretariat General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy would like to urge non-Muslims everywhere, and in particular the peoples of book, Jews and Christians, due to the bond of faith that unites them, to know the great virtues and noble values that the Holy Qur’an conveys and that banish hostility and violence, and call for peace, forgiveness and reconciliation among all humans. Thus, if they succeed in doing so, they will know clearly that the sponsors of such acts are none other than extremists and enemies of Islam and Muslims, who seek to deceive and mislead them and then prevent them from seeing the light of the truth with which Islam came, and the good it conveys for all mankind. Likewise, they seek to ignite the flames of calamities and animosities between them and Muslims that could last for generations.

The Secretariat General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, would like to call upon them also to firmly confront extremism and extremists and not to allow them to lead them to their ideas that may create calamities in their societies or elsewhere.

Therefore, the Secretariat General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy wonders whether it is not the duty of religious leaders to spread tolerance and peace instead of engaging in attempts to create calamities and hostilities in human communities!

Furthermore, the Secretariat General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy would like to confirm to the Council of Nations its previous and repeated appeals on the need to enact laws that manage the freedoms of expression, which have caused so much harm to people, and that will be able to preserve the sanctities of their faith, and would also like to emphasize that any infringement on the Muslim community as a whole, could lead to harmful consequences in terms of international relations.

The Secretariat General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy would like to point out to Muslims, communities and individuals all over the world that such assumptions and ideas reflect their fear of the Islamic movement and the importance of the Holy Qur’an in the souls of all humans, which is increasing day by day. He also said that such steps and others should encourage them to unite their ranks and voice and avoid differences. They should also encourage them to multiply their efforts in disseminating Islam and make people know its noble virtues and great examples that call for spreading peace and tolerance among human beings. Also, to make them know the message of Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, and that he is sent for all mankind. Allah The Almighty says: « O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner. (*) And one who invites to Allah, by His permission, and an illuminating lamp. » Al-Ahzab -45-46

and that he is a Mercy for the people. Allah The Almighty says: « And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds. » Al-Anbiya -107

Finally, the Secretariat General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy recommends that Muslims do not respond to these and other provocations with acts that contradict the principles and teachings of Islam.

And may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions.

IIFA Secretariat General

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