THE QUR'AN:

Among the main questions on which opinion differed so much in Islamic theology in general are the questions of creation of the Qur'an, and the work of God. Reports on the early state of Ibadhi theology show that this problem was discussed in a limited way. In fact, the only piece of information on this matter was concerned with the question of adding to the Qur'an or omitting from it. Jabir b. Zaid said, "Ibn Abbas was asked about the Qur'an whether anything could be added to, or omitted from it? He said "The Prophet said, 'God curses him who adds to the Qur'an.'" Then he said, "He who disbelieves in one letter disbelieves in the whole Qur'an"95. Jabir also reported that 'Uqbah b. Amir al-Juhani said, "The Prophet led us at the dawn prayer; he recited the two chapters (of Daybreak and Men) (al-Mua'awwadhatayn), then he said, 'O Uqbah, these two suras are the best of the suras of the Qur'an, the book of Psalms, the Bible, and the Torah.'" 'Uqbah said, "Some people say that they are not part of the Qur'an - they lied and sinned96.

It is further reported that Ibn 'Abbas said, "if anyone adds to the Qur'an or omits from it, he will be infidel to Muslims for that reason." He further described the Qur'an as God's word and proof for His worshippers, and the guide (imam) of His servants which will be the witness against them on the Day of Judgement97.

There was no mention of the question of Qur'an being created or eternal. It was described by Ibn 'Abbas as the speech of God (kalam), proof (hujjah) and guide (imam).

The question of adding or omitting from the Qur'an was dealt with to establish the Ibadhi attitude, as opposed to the Kharijite branch of al-Maymuniyah, followers of Maymun b. Imran, who maintained that the chapter containing the story of Joseph is not from the Qur'an, and denied that a love story could be a part of the Holy Book98. As for the two chapters of al-Falaq and al-Nas, it is also reported that the celebrated Companion Abdullah b. Mas'ud refused for some time to include them in his text of the Qur'an, then afterwards he did include them99. On the other hand, it is reported that Ubaiy b. Kaab maintained that the dua recited after 'witr' prayer is a part of the Qur'an100. It is possible that some people, being influenced by the attitude of Ibn Mas'ud maintained that the two last chapters of the Qur'an were just an invocation (dua). Ibadhi authorities, in order to avoid any confusion that may be caused by the views ascribed to both Ibn Mas'ud and Ubaiy b. Kaab, set forth those Traditions reported from Ibn Abbas and Uqbah b. Amir to settle the matter.

As for the question of the creation of the Qur'an, it is not known whether al-Rabi b. Habib or Wail b. Aiyub, his successor, has formed any decision about