Is it a condition that all Quranic recitations (qira'at) must have originated from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, or could some of them be the result of scholarly ijtihad (independent reasoning)? And how does this align with the preservation of the Quran? Does this mean that recitations that are the result of ijtihad are merely an expression of the meaning of the Quran? And what is the ruling on one who says this?

Both readings, "Malik" (owner) and "Maalik" (king), are established and transmitted through multiple chains of narration (mutawatir). They are both part of the speech of Allah, revealed to His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him. It is not permissible to attribute either of them to anyone's personal ijtihad (independent reasoning). The statement of anyone who claims that this is ijtihad is a misguidance and an innovation, and knowledge should not be acquired from such a person.