Whoever, however, claims that this Book is something other than the Qur’an; that it is the speech of created beings; that the Qur’an is nothing but a notion lodged in the mind—never revealed, never read, never heard or recited, of no benefit; that it has neither beginning nor end, no part or portion; that it is not made up of surahs, verses, letters, or words—such a person is a zindīq (heretic) who repels the Lord of all worlds and His truthful, trustworthy Messenger, stands in opposition to all Muslims, and has veered from the straight path.

As for his rejection of Allah, exalted is He, Allah Himself has said: “Recite the Qur’an with measured recitation” 1; and He said: “A Qur’an which We have divided into sections so that you may recite it to the people slowly, and We sent it down in successive stages” 2; and He said: “But Allah bears witness to what He has sent down to you; He sent it down with His knowledge, and the angels bear witness, and Allah suffices as a witness” 3.

It is this very Book that is recited, sent down, and read aloud.