Is it permissible to arrange the verses of the Holy Quran alphabetically in order to refer to them merely by hearing them?

The scholars are unanimous that the arrangement of the Qur’anic verses is tawqifi (divinely ordained) from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, with no room for ijtihad (definition) (independent reasoning) in it. This consensus has been narrated by more than one scholar, including Al-Zarkashi, Makki, and Qadi Abu Bakr Al-Baqillani. Al-Bayhaqi narrated that Ibn Mas'ud was told that someone was reciting the Qur’an in reverse order, to which he replied, "That is a heart turned upside down." As for reciting the Qur’an in alphabetical order, it is not permissible according to the Hanbalis, Malikis, and Shafi’is. The Hanafis considered it khilaf (definition) al-awla (contrary to what is preferable), as the arrangement of the verses is obligatory by text and consensus. Scholars have issued fatwas prohibiting the reversal of verses in prayer because it removes some aspects of its inimitability. However, arranging verses for indexing or by topics is permissible for a benefit, as long as it does not become a pretext for reversing the verses of the Holy Qur’an in recitation.