Did you know that the Quran is the only holy book that claim its revelations will be protected and preserved?

It is proven that until this day, there has only been one version of Quranic texts that is used as the source of various translation and interpretation.

There has been attempts to add verses into the Quran but such attempts has failed due to the nature of how the Quran is preserved.

In the Islamic world, there are a groups of Quran memorizers called Hafiz which are tasked with the responsibility of preserving the words of God.

These Hafiz are not confined to one continent or ethnic tribe but have spread across the globe through the expansion of Islam.

It is similar to the concept of decentralization in Bitcoin where many computers across the globe keep track of the transactional accounting within the Bitcoin network.

This vast expansion of the religion has introduced various school of thoughts within Islam, sometimes influenced by the cultural norms of the specific region or continent.

This understandably have caused tension and misunderstanding between the various ethnic tribes within the Muslim community.

I quote to you Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13:

“O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.”

In Islam, diversity and differences of opinion are an intended feature for mankind but we should tackle our differences by promoting dialogue and mutual respect between our respective communities.

Surah Al-Maidah 5:48

“We have revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ this Book with the truth, as a confirmation of previous Scriptures and a supreme authority on them. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their desires over the truth that has come to you. To each of you We have ordained a code of law and a way of life. If Allah had willed, He would have made you one community, but His Will is to test you with what He has given ˹each of˺ you. So compete with one another in doing good. To Allah you will all return, then He will inform you ˹of the truth˺ regarding your differences.”

In this blessed month of Ramadhan, I hope we can foster better understanding between the different ethnic communities in Malaysia.

After all, isn’t that what this multi-cultural and multi-religious country that we have grown up in is all about?

Jauhari Johar
17th March 2025