Muhammad The Great Exemplar — Page 45
45 The few variations are almost entirely confined to the vowel forms and the diacritical points, which, having been invented at a later period, formed no part of the original or of Zeid’s recension. There is every security that the work of Zeid was executed faithfully; and, indeed, the acceptance of the Coran by Ali and his party, the antagonists of the unfortunate Othman, is the surest guarantee of its genuineness. —all this leaves no doubt in the mind that the Coran as we read it now contains the very words delivered by the Prophet. 19 When a believer [makes] an argument from their own faith, there exists a degree of uncertainty as to whether they have in some way exaggerated the truth. But the excerpts above are from the writings of an individual who stridently endeavoured to denigrate Islam and its founder. Only God knows of the pain Sir Muir felt in his heart as he acknowledged this truth. But it was unavoidable. He was compelled to admit that the Qur’an has been safeguarded. This testimony shows even the enemies [of Islam] are forced to acknowledge it is free of adulteration. And so the prophecy— Verily, 19 Sir William Muir, The Coran , 39,40 [Publishers]