Is the statement of Ibn Taymiyyah valid, that some of the Salaf, such as Qadi Shuraih, altered words in the Qur'an, and that they are not considered disbelievers because this was not transmitted to them by tawatur?

Firstly: The attribute of wonder (Al-Ajab) is affirmed for Allah Almighty by the Qur'an and Sunnah, as in the recitation: (بل عجبتُ ويسخرون - Bal ajabtu wa yaskharoon) with a Dammah on the Ta' (تُ), which is an authentic recitation.

Secondly: Shuraih al-Qadi and others denied the recitation (بل عجبتُ - Bal ajabtu) with a Dammah on the Ta', and some other letters of the Qur'an. Their excuse for this was that the mass transmission (Tawatur) of these letters had not reached them. Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah mentioned that whoever errs in this, while striving diligently to seek the truth, their error is forgiven.

Thirdly: Whoever denies any part of the Qur'an now, after the clear proof has been established against them, is a disbeliever; because they are denying the Qur'an and the Prophet (peace be upon him).