How can we reconcile the consensus of the Muslim community that it is not permissible to alter anything in the Qur’an, and Allah’s saying: "There is no changer of His words," with the Ahadith that mention the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, approving his scribe changing Allah’s names at the ends of verses, and his saying to Ubayy: "You said 'Most Forgiving, Most Merciful,' or you said 'All-Hearing, All-Wise,' or you said 'All-Knowing, All-Wise,' or 'All-Mighty, All-Wise,' whichever of these you said, it is as you said"?

The Holy Qur’an is the word of Allah, and it is not permissible to change a single letter of it. Muslims have unanimously agreed that what is between the two covers of the mushaf is the word of Allah. Whoever intentionally omits a letter from it, alters it, or adds to it, has committed an act of disbelief. The Companions denounced any alteration in the recitation of the Qur’an, which confirms the obligation to recite it as it was taught.

The reported account concerning the scribe who altered words in the Qur’an: it was said that this was a claim fabricated by an apostate, or that the Prophet (peace be upon him) permitted a choice in the endings of some verses that were revealed with different wordings within the seven ahruf (modes of recitation), and that all of them were revealed from Allah.

This facilitation was applicable when the language was sound. However, with the spread of non-Arabic speakers and the entry of many nations into Islam, this choice began to lead to a disruption of meaning. Therefore, this broader allowance was lifted, and Muslims converged on a single mode of recitation to preserve the Book of Allah, which is what is found in the masahif today. Thus, it is not permissible for anyone to change a single letter of it.