The Qur'anic Codices and Fragments Ascribed to Imam 'Ali and Other Shi'a Imams Forged Colophons or Historical Truths?

For nearly a thousand years, certain copies of the Qur'an have been ascribed to such prominent Islamic figures as Imam 'Ali and other Shi.a Imams. Although no evidence of ascription is found from the first three centuries, nearly two hundred copies of such manuscripts and fragments are found today around the world, especially in Shiite areas. After a historical overview of the phenomenon and classification of the various types of ascribed codices, this article provides evidence for the rejection of these ascriptions and that establishes the colophons as forgeries. The last part of the article includes a table of about two hundred Qur'anic manuscripts ascribed to Shi'a Imams preserved in libraries and museums all over the world.