How can one respond to the skepticism of atheists and orientalists regarding the compilation of the Qur'an and the Seven Ahruf (modes of recitation), especially concerning the abandonment of the six Ahruf? Is this considered a distortion or loss of the Qur'an, taking into account the views of Ibn Taymiyyah and Al-Tabari?

Restricting oneself to a single harf (variant reading) out of the seven ahruf (plural of harf) does not constitute a squandering of the Quran. Every harf among them is sufficient and healing. The origin is that the Quran was revealed in one harf, and the multiplicity of ahruf was a تسهيل (facilitation) and a concession.

We were commanded to recite what is easy from it. The consensus on the correctness of what Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) did in unifying people on a single Mushaf (definition) is sound, and it was not invalidated by the objection of Ibn Mas'ud, which was due to anger and he later returned to agreement.

Therefore, unifying people on a single harf was permissible, not obligatory. It was a concession from Allah Almighty. The Companions did so out of fear of the Ummah's disagreement and dispersion. This is what the majority of the Salaf agreed upon. The concession regarding the seven ahruf was in the early days of Islam due to hardship. When tongues became accustomed, they unanimously agreed upon the harf that was in the final عرضة (recitation review with the Prophet).