Arabic Terms: Yusuf Estes Explains that “Mushaf” is From “Suhuf”
Yusuf Estes explains his understanding of some
important Arabic terms, “mushaf” and “suhuf”, and how this relates to some of
his beliefs about the Quran. He says:
When somebody writes down what “Quran”
means on paper, it’s actually called “mushaf” from the root
“suhuf” which means scripture. You can’t hold Quran
in your hand, cause it means recitation. It means that which is being recited.
Of course when we write down the sounds, we say, “This is Quran,”
but what we mean is: What’s written here represents the Quran.
Source: “Muslim / Christian Dialogue – the
Ultimate Truth” (part 2 of 3), originally on the 1-Islam channel, on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFrKQ4NNsVg
(at precisely 24:10 to 24:43), uploaded on Feb. 8, 2012.
Important Commentary
Yusuf Estes explains his belief here –
that what is written in the mushaf is not actually the Quran. This
is a serious violation of the Islamic beliefs that Ahlus-Sunnah hold by
consensus, recorded in the most famous source books of Islamic creed.
Imam Ibn Jareer at-Tabaree
(d.310) said:
The Speech of Allah, the Mighty and Honored, is
not created, no matter how it is written, no matter how it is recited, no
matter where it is recited, whether it is found in the heavens or on earth,
wherever it is memorized, whether it is written in al-Lowh al-Mahfooth
(Preserved Tablet) or drawn on the boards in children’s classrooms, whether it
is engraved on a stone, written on a paper, memorized by heart, or recited
verbally. Whoever says otherwise, or claims that a Quran on
earth or in the heavens is not the same Quran we recite with our tongues and
write in our mus-hafs, or believes otherwise, whether he hides it or speaks
openly with it as his Religion, such a person is a disbeliever in Allah,
subject to capital punishment. He is free from Allah, and Allah is free from
him… (Sareeh as-Sunnah, p.18)
Imam Ibn Abil-’Izz al-Hanafee
(d.792) said:
“Whoever says that what is written in the
mushafs is a representation of Allah’s Speech, or a narration of
Allah’s Speech, and that it is not actually the Speech of Allah, has surely
opposed the Book, the Sunnah, and the Salaf of this nation, and that is
sufficient as misguidance!” (Sharh ‘Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah, pp.143-144)
This belief propagated by Yusuf Estes is a grave
error. In fact, it is merely a revival of some of
the ancient beliefs of the Jahmiyyah Cult, as explained clearly and
in detail in this free e-book:
