Surah 15:9 and the preservation of the Qur'an
Introduction
Surah 15:9 reads,
Indeed we have sent down the Reminder and indeed we are guardians of it. (Qur'an 15:9)
This verse promises that Allah will guard the "Reminder". In this context, "Reminder", is referring to the Qur’an. Therefore the verse is a promise that Allah will guard the Qur'an.
Based on this verse, Muslim leaders claim that Allah has promised to perfectly preserve the Qur'an in a fixed unchanging way.
The Qur'an is the only scripture which has been preserved in its exact original form, in its entire content, as it was revealed to the Prophet fourteen centuries ago, not a word added or removed. This is a historical fact beyond dispute. God Himself has assured us of its preservation (Qur'an chapter 15, verse 9). (Al-Ahsa Islamic Center, Before you start reading the Qur'an..., Hofus, no date, p. 4)
Its text has remained exactly as it was revealed by God, providing a challenge to every would-be perpetrator of distortion. This is irrefutable testimony to the fact that this Qur'an is God’s own book and He is the One who guarantees its preservation. (Sayyid Qutb, In the Shade of the Qur'an, U.K: Islamic Foundation, vol. 10, Surahs 12-15, verse 15:9, 2009, p. 253)
Q15:9 and forgetting the Qur'an
Does Q15:9 mean that Allah will guard the Qur'an from being forgotten? No, because there are two verses in the Qur'an which say verses were forgotten.
We will make you recite, [O Muhammad], and you will not forget, except what Allah should will. (Qur'an 87:6-7)
We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth [one] better than it or similar to it. (Qur'an 2:106)
The Hadith gives examples of the Qur'an being forgotten or abrogated both during and after Muhammad's life.
Narrated Aisha: The Prophet heard a man reciting the Qur'an in the mosque and said, "May Allah bestow His Mercy on him, as he has reminded me of such-and-such verses of such a Surah." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5037; vol 6, bk 61, no 556)
Narrated Abdullah: The Prophet said, "Why does anyone of the people say, 'I have forgotten such-and-such Verses (of the Qur'an)?' He, in fact, is caused (by Allah) to forget." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5039; vol 6, bk 61, no 559)
... We used to recite a surah which resembled in length and severity to (surah 9) Bara'at. I have, however, forgotten it with the exception of this which I remember out of it: "If there were two valleys full of riches, for the son of Adam, he would long for a third valley, and nothing would fill the stomach of the son of Adam but dust." ... (Sahih Muslim 1050; bk 5, no 2286)
Therefore, verses of the Qur'an were forgotten. Q87:6-7 and 2:106 both claim that only what Allah willed was forgotten, but the point remains, the guarding of Allah did not stop verses from being forgotten.
Q15:9 and changing the Qur'an
Does Q15:9 mean that Allah will guard the Qur'an from being changed? No, because there are two verses in the Qur'an which say that verses were changed.
And when We exchange a verse in the place of another verse - and God knows very well what he is sending down - they [the Meccans] say [to Muhammad], "You are simply inventing this". (Qur'an 16:101)
We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth [one] better than it or similar to it. (Qur'an 2:106)
Here is an example of the Qur’an being changed.
Narrated Al-Bara: There was revealed: "Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah." (Qur'an 4.95) … and at that time 'Amr bin Um Maktum, the blind man was sitting behind the Prophet. He said, "O Allah's Apostle! What is your order for me (as regards the above verse) as I am a blind man?" So, instead of the above verse, the following verse was revealed: "Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) except those who are disabled and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah." (Qur'an 4.95) (Sahih al-Bukhari 4990; vol 6, bk 61, no 512, underline added)
This hadith shows how Q4:95 changed and had, "except those who are disabled," added to it. Q2:106 and 16:101 say that Allah is in control of what is changed, but the point remains, the guarding of Allah did not stop verses from being changed.
Conclusion
Q15:9 says that Allah will guard the Qur'an, and Muslim leaders interpret this to mean that Allah will perfectly preserve the Qur'an in a fixed unchanging way. However, when we allow the Qur'an to explain itself, we see that this guarding does not stop verses from being forgotten or changed. If verses have been forgotten or changed, both during and after Muhammad's life, then the Qur'an has not been preserved in the way that Islamic leaders claim. They are making Q15:9 say something which the Qur'an does not say.