Historically, this was achieved through the following three methods:
Manuscripts
Memorization
Arabic Grammar
Yet, despite these methods, we were still left with numerous different recitations (Qiraat) of the Quran. Then, in 1974, exactly 1406 (19×74) lunar years after the revelation of the Quran, God revealed to the world Code 19 and the numerical structure of the Quran as the fourth preservation mechanism of the Quran. This mechanism resolved the question regarding which Qiraat of the Quran was the original recitation given to the prophet.
41:41 Those who have rejected the Quran’s proof when it came to them, have also rejected an Honorable book.
41:42 No falsehood could enter it, in the past or in the future; a revelation from a Most Wise, Praiseworthy.
If we compare Code 19 to the other recitations, we find that the Hafs recitation best aligns with the Quran’s mathematical structure. For example, when we look at Sura 36: Y.S. (YãSîn) of the Hafs recitation, we find that the letter “Y” ( ي) occurs in this sura 237 times, while the letter “S” ( س) occurs 48 times. The total of both letters is 285, 19×15.
In this article, we will take a look at Sura 36: Y.S. (YãSîn) and compare the occurrence of this sura’s two prefixed letters “Y.S.” ( يس) between the different recitations. Using the site EvQ, operated by Harvard Professor Shady Nasser, we see that the following recitations do not contain an aggregate total of the letters “Y” ( ي) and “S” ( س), which give a multiple of 19.
Below is a summary of the differences between the recitations when compared against the Hafs recitation. The differences noted are only looking at the occurrences where the recitation would impact the “Y” ( ي) and “S” ( س) letter count.
*Note: Since the above two recitations allowed both versions, one that would cause a deviation and one that wouldn’t, these were not included in the count. If they were included the totals would still not come out to a multiple of 19.
36:25 “I have believed in your Lord; please listen to me.”
(٢٥) إِنِّىٓ ءَامَنتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَٱسْمَعُونِ
al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī: ( فَاسْمَعُونْ｡ فَاسْمَعُونِي)
Yaʿqūb: ( فَاسْمَعُونِي)
36:30 How sorry is the people’s condition! Every time a messenger went to them, they always ridiculed him.