Sharīʿa Ruling Regarding the Variant Readings of the Holy Qurʾān that were authentically narrated but not included in the ʿUthmānic Maṣāḥif'
Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Zubair, Ms. Shamanah Munawar

Abstract
Many of the variant readings of the Holy Qurʾān having sound chain of narration are not included in the ʿUthmānic Maṣāḥif (Codices). Hence, following three probabilities can be deduced about these readings; First: Those were abrogated in ʿArḍa Akhīra (last revision). Second: Those might be among those explanatory notes of the Holy Text by Prophet Muhammad PBUH that were erroneously written by a few companions within the actual text of Qurʾān considering them a part of the Qurʾān. Third: Those may belong to such Aḥruf (readings) that were authentically transmitted from the Messenger of Allah PBUH but, they were not mentioned in orthography of the ʿUthmānic Maṣāḥif by the compilers due to any possible reason. To us, if we come across any authentically narrated recitation of the senior Qurrāʾ companions that seems contrary to the orthography of the ʿUthmānic Maṣāḥif and there is no proof of theirs being from the second category, then, it is better to consider them from the third category instead of the first one.

Full Text: PDF