A Critical Review of the Article Rasm al-Muṣḥaf; Characteristics and Viewpoints

In this article, the writer reviews and criticizes the reasons given in the article “Rasm al-Muṣḥaf; Characteristics and Viewpoints” [written by the learned scholar Mr. Muḥsin Rajabi, published in Mishkat No. 104, winter 1388] declaring the orthography of the Qur’an to be subject to scriptural ruling (tawqifi) and made the following 1. Orthography of the Qur’an is not tawqifi. 2. The term Uthmani orthography is correct. 3. A considerable part of the reasons for difference in writing words in the orthography of the Qur’an can be revealed on the basis of difference in qira’at (readings). 4. Difference of writing words in the orthography of the Qur’an is not based on the meaning; rather, a major part of it is likely to be originated from difference in qira’at. 5. It seems that as the Qur’an has not recast a new procedure in employment of Arabic literature, so has it also dealt with writing of the Qur’an and has left it up to people.