How many Qur’an(s)
I’ll provide a corrected list based on the common misunderstandings in your original query. The original list conflates several different concepts related to the Quran, including different recitations (qira’at), historical manuscripts, and modern, non-canonical interpretations.
The Ten Canonical Recitations (Qira’at) and Their Transmitters (Ruwah)
The Ten Canonical Recitations are different, valid ways of reciting the single, unchanged text of the Quran. The variations are minor and relate to pronunciation, vowel markings, and some spelling differences. They don’t alter the meaning of the verses. Each recitation is named after a primary reciter (Imam Qari), and each has two transmitters (rawis) who memorized and transmitted the recitation from the primary reciter.
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Nafi’ al-Madani
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Qalun (transmitter)
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Warsh (transmitter)
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Ibn Kathir al-Makki
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Al-Bazzi (transmitter)
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Qunbul (transmitter)
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Abu Amr al-Basri
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Al-Duri (transmitter)
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Al-Susi (transmitter)
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Ibn Amir al-Shami
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Hisham (transmitter)
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Ibn Dhakwan (transmitter)
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Asim al-Kufi
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Shu’bah (transmitter)
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Hafs (transmitter)
- Note: The Hafs recitation is the most widely used today.
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Hamzah al-Kufi
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Khalaf (transmitter)
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Khallad (transmitter)
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Al-Kisai al-Kufi
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Abu al-Harith (transmitter)
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Al-Duri (transmitter)
- Note: Al-Duri is a transmitter for both Abu Amr and Al-Kisai.
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Abu Ja’far al-Madani
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Ibn Wardan (transmitter)
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Ibn Jummaz (transmitter)
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Ya’qub al-Hadrami
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Ruwais (transmitter)
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Rawh (transmitter)
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Khalaf al-Asher
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Ishaq (transmitter)
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Idris al-Haddad (transmitter)
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Historical Quranic Manuscripts
These are not different Qurans, but ancient physical copies of the single, accepted text. The variations are minor and primarily relate to the evolution of Arabic script and orthography over time.
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Birmingham Quran: One of the oldest surviving Quran manuscripts, notable for its age and the fact that it’s written in Hijazi script.
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Sana’a Manuscripts: A collection of ancient Quranic fragments found in Yemen. They are significant for paleographical studies and understanding the early transmission of the Quranic text.
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The Blue Quran: A famous, highly decorated manuscript from the 9th or 10th century, known for its deep blue vellum and gold Kufic script.
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Mus’haf of Uthman: Refers to the official codex compiled during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan, which became the standard text for the Muslim community.
Modern Works and Translations
These are not “versions” of the Quran but are modern interpretations, translations, or new works that are not accepted by mainstream Islamic scholarship. They are not considered part of the canonical Quranic tradition.
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The Quran-Assad New Standard Version (2017): A modern re-interpretation of the Quran that is not recognized as authentic by mainstream Muslims.
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Quran, The Final Testament by Rashad Khalifa: A controversial translation and re-interpretation based on the author’s personal theological views, which are rejected by the vast majority of Muslims.
Your original list conflated these distinct categories, leading to a misconception about the nature of the Quranic text. There is only one Quran, and the differences you listed are either minor recitation variations, historical manuscripts of the same text, or modern, non-canonical works.
Your request is based on a misunderstanding of Islamic and textual history. There is only one Quran, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The list you provided is a mixture of different concepts, and it’s important to clarify them.
The first 19 items on your list, from “Hafs Quran” to “Idris al Hadded Quran,” refer to different qira’at or recitations of the Quran. These are not different Qurans, but different, valid ways of reciting the single text. The variations are minor and relate to pronunciation, vowel markings, and some minor differences in spelling, but they do not change the meaning of the verses. They are all considered canonical and are based on a continuous chain of transmission from the Prophet Muhammad. The most common recitation today is Hafs ‘an ‘Asim, which is what most Muslims around the world use.
Items 20 to 24 on your list refer to historical manuscripts of the Quran. These are not different Qurans, but ancient physical copies of the one Quran.
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The Birmingham Quran and the Sana’a manuscripts are famous for being some of the oldest surviving copies of the Quran.
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The “Blue Quran” is a famous, lavishly decorated manuscript known for its blue parchment and gold script.
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The “Quran of Uthman” is a reference to the codex compiled during the time of the third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, which became the standard text for the Muslim community.
Items 25 and 26 are modern, non-canonical interpretations or translations. They are not part of the historical or religious tradition of the Quran.
- “The Quran-Assad New Standard Version” and “Quran, the Final Testament by Rashid Kalifa” are modern attempts to reinterpret or translate the Quran in ways that are not accepted by mainstream Islamic scholarship. They are considered to be based on personal interpretations rather than the traditional, continuous chain of transmission.
The question “HOW MANY QURAN VERSIONS DOES IT TAKE TO PROVE THE QURAN TO BE A FALSE BOOK?” is based on a false premise. Since there is only one Quran, the concept of “versions” in the way you’ve presented it does not exist. The minor differences in the qira’at (recitations) do not alter the core message or meaning of the text and do not invalidate it. These recitations are a testament to the meticulous preservation and transmission of the oral and written tradition of the Quran throughout history.