Study of Goldziher's views on different readings of the Quran

The question of different readings and difference in recitations of the Quran has direct relation with the text of the glorious Quran inasmuch as it would entail its distortion if one proves absolute freedom in its recitation. The Orientalists such as Goldziher paid attention to this problem. Some of the profound Qur’ānic researchers, who heeded the Prophet's importance on safety of the Quran [from distortion], emphasize on one exemplary recitation and ascribe the differences of opinion in recitation of the Quran after his lifetime. According to them, the conclusions that Goldziher has drawn in his research are due to his one-sided reference to the Sunnite sources, his particular suppositions and his unilateralist approach in the study. The writer has a critical appraisal of Goldziher's opinions about the different readings of the Quran: as he ascribes unfairly all the readings of the Quran to the Prophet (PBUH and his family), he does not believe in one immutable text of the Quran, he proves full freedom for everyone to recite the Quran as he wishes, he equates the Quran with that of the Testaments and finally believes that distortion has infiltrated in the Quran as well.