Definition and Etymology
Taḥrīf (Arabic: تحريف) is an Arabic term used in Islamic discourse to denote “corruption” or “alteration”. It derives from the root letters ح-ر-ف, which carry the meaning of “to skew” or “to distort.” In Turkish, the term is also used as “Tahrif,” retaining the original Arabic pronunciation and significance.
Types of Taḥrīf
Muslim scholars categorize Taḥrīf into two primary types:
- Taḥrīf-i-maʿnawī (تحريف معنوي): Corruption of the meaning. This type involves misinterpreting or altering the intended message of the scripture without changing the actual text.
- Taḥrīf-i-lafẓī (تحريف لفظي): Corruption of the words. This type refers to altering the actual text of the scripture, thereby changing its meaning.
Scholarly Perspectives
Classical Scholars
- Imām Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī: In his renowned commentary, Tafsīr al-Kabīr, al-Rāzī argues that Taḥrīf primarily refers to altering the truth or misinterpreting the scripture’s meaning.
- Imām Muḥammad Ismāʿīl al-Bukhārī: He suggests that while no one could alter the Word of God, corruption occurs through misinterpretation (Taḥrīf-i-maʿnawī).
- Shāh Walīyu’llah: This scholar also supports the view that Jews and Christians tended to misrepresent the meaning rather than alter the sacred texts themselves.
Modern Controversialists
Modern Muslim scholars, unfamiliar with pre-Muhammadian manuscripts, often argue for Taḥrīf-i-lafẓī as the primary explanation for the differences between the Quran and the Bible.
Significance in Quranic Verses
Several Quranic verses discuss the concept of Taḥrīf. For instance:
- Surah Al-Imran (3:72): “There are certainly some of them who read the Scriptures perversely, that ye may think what they read to be really in the Scriptures, yet it is not in the Scriptures; and they say this is from God, but it is not from God; and they speak that which is false concerning God against their own knowledge.”
Commentary on Quranic Verses
- Imām al-Rāzī: He argues that these verses refer to Taḥrīf-i-ma’nawī, not the physical alteration of text.
Historical Evidence Against Taḥrīf-i-lafẓī
Christian apologists often present several historical points against the notion of textual corruption:
- Existence of ancient manuscripts: Manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments predate Muhammad by centuries.
- Versions in multiple languages: Various ancient translations like the Septuagint, Latin Vulgate, the Syriac, and Coptic versions show no signs of alteration.
- Quotations by early Christian fathers: Quotes from early figures like Justin Martyr provide consistent text with contemporary versions.
- Surviving texts in isolation: The Syrian Christians possess scriptures showing textual consistency over centuries.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Bible, the Qur’an and Science” by Maurice Bucaille – Evaluates differences and claims of corruption.
- “Rahmat al-lil Alamin” by Rahmatullah Kairanwi – Comprehensive insights into interfaith perspectives on scripture.
- “History of the Qur’anic Text” by Muhammad Mustafa Al-Azami – Discusses preservation and transmission of the Quranic text over time.
Takeaways
- Taḥrīf is a significant theological concept that illustrates the Muslim viewpoint on scriptural integrity.
- Disputes on Taḥrīf-i-lafẓī vs. Taḥrīf-i-maʿnawī highlight varying interpretations within the Islamic scholarly tradition.
- Contemporary scholarship emphasizes historical manuscript evidence to challenge claims of textual corruption.
Conclusion
Understanding Taḥrīf helps in grasping the complexities of interfaith dialogues between Muslims and Christians. The concept elucidates differing perspectives on scriptural preservation, highlighting the theological and historical nuances that influence these debates.
