Mushkilat al-Faqr (The Problems of Poverty) (18/14). Among them is Anas, as narrated by the two Sahihs; they also narrated it from Ibn ‘Abbas. Among them, too, are Ibn al-Zubayr, as narrated by al-Bukhari, and Abu Musa, as narrated by Muslim and others; his wording will follow. There are also reports on this subject from others; their documentation may be found in Majma‘ al-Zawa’id (7/140–141 and 10/243–245). The documentation of some of them, together with their wordings relevant to my present purpose, will follow. That purpose is to determine the correct view concerning the differing narrations of the hadith under discussion: is it a prophetic hadith, a sacred hadith, or Quranic text whose recitation has been abrogated?

The first things to confront the researcher and call for investigation are three reports from the Companions:

First: Ibn ‘Abbas’s statement in one narration from him, following the hadith referred to above: “I do not know whether it is part of the Quran or not.”

Second: A similar statement by Anas in a narration recorded by Muslim and Ahmad.

Third: Ubayy ibn Ka‘b’s statement, narrated from him by Anas: “We regarded this as part of the Quran until ‘Competition in worldly increase diverts you’ was revealed.” Al-Bukhari (6440) and al-Tahawi narrated it in Mushkil al-Athar (2/420).

It is clear to any discerning person that the first two statements do not indicate any of the possibilities mentioned above, for they are an explicit admission of ignorance. Nevertheless, they strongly suggest that the Companions knew that some Quranic text had been removed and abrogated, and was therefore not written in the preserved mushaf. Reflect carefully on this, for it will help you understand the reality that is about to be explained.

As for Ubayy’s statement, “We regarded...,” it differs from the first two in that the hadith mentioned above was deemed to be part of the Quran—either as a predominant and likely supposition, or as a firm conviction,