This is the alleged story. I did read somewhere that a different 7th century version was found in a paper grave in Sa'naa Yeman in the 70's. This revision was recorded by a contempory muslim writer but whose name alludes me at the moment.
"Another main tradition records that Caliph Uthman later had a revised
official version prepared which had to be used by all from then on and
that he ordered all other versions to be destroyed.
Two different traditions about compiling the Koran, in effect about
what the Koran should reflect. Namely either God's benevolent concern
and intent, or the ruling elite's intent to condition the masses into
servile obedience.
And hadith 2 tells us about how Caliph Uthman arranged for an
official manuscript of the Koran to be compiled, edited and distributed.
Caliph Uthman was asked to ensure that there would be no protests
within Islam against the ruling-elite's version of Islam, and did so.
He had an official version of the Koran prepared and ordered the
compilers always to prefer the ruling-elite's version of Islam. He then
ordered all other Koranic materials to be destroyed.
In other words, the ruling elite edited the Koran (recorded
teachings of Mohammed) to modify the stated will of benevolent God, of
Allah, that people should have a good life of high quality in this
life. Modifying the Koran's teachings by introducing
ruling-elite-serving modifications."
This is the alleged story. I did read somewhere that a different 7th century version was found in a paper grave in Sa'naa Yeman in the 70's. This revision was recorded by a contempory muslim writer but whose name alludes me at the moment.
"Another main tradition records that Caliph Uthman later had a revised
official version prepared which had to be used by all from then on and
that he ordered all other versions to be destroyed.
Two different traditions about compiling the Koran, in effect about
what the Koran should reflect. Namely either God's benevolent concern
and intent, or the ruling elite's intent to condition the masses into
servile obedience.
And hadith 2 tells us about how Caliph Uthman arranged for an
official manuscript of the Koran to be compiled, edited and distributed.
Caliph Uthman was asked to ensure that there would be no protests
within Islam against the ruling-elite's version of Islam, and did so.
He had an official version of the Koran prepared and ordered the
compilers always to prefer the ruling-elite's version of Islam. He then
ordered all other Koranic materials to be destroyed.
In other words, the ruling elite edited the Koran (recorded
teachings of Mohammed) to modify the stated will of benevolent God, of
Allah, that people should have a good life of high quality in this
life. Modifying the Koran's teachings by introducing
ruling-elite-serving modifications."
http://www.solhaam.org/articles/islam04.html
I don't go to mythical places with strange men.
-- Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul.