When Uthman burn many versions of Quran, how do we know that the burned one are the "wrong" ones?
The decision of Uthman to burn various copies of the Qur'an was motivated by concerns over discrepancies in recitation among different communities. When Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman observed that people were differing in their recitation of the Qur'an, he approached Uthman with a warning. He said, Commander of the Faithful, save this nation before they differ over the Book as the Jews and Christians did.
Sunan al-Tirmidhi 47:156 In response, Uthman requested copies of the Qur'anic manuscripts from Hafsa, the daughter of Umar ibn al-Khattab, to compile a standardized version.
Uthman then appointed Zaid ibn Thabit and other companions to copy these manuscripts into Mushafs, ensuring that all copies would be written in the dialect of Quraysh, as the Qur'an was revealed in their language. This standardization was essential to preserve the integrity of the Qur'an and prevent confusion. It was during this process that Zaid discovered a missing verse from Surah Al-Ahzab, which he had heard the Prophet reciting: "Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allah; among them is he who died, others who wait." This verse was then included in the standardized Mushaf.
The copies that were burned were those that contained variations or discrepancies, which posed a risk of division among the Muslim community. Uthman’s action aimed to unify the followers of Islam under one correct version of the Qur'an, thereby ensuring the preservation of its teachings and preventing the issues that had arisen among the Jews and Christians over differing texts. This historical context highlights the importance placed on the authenticity and uniformity of the Qur'an in early Islamic history.
Sources
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Sunan al-Tirmidhi 47:156
Sunan al-Tirmidhi · Book 47, Hadith 156 · Narrated by Zayd ibn Thabit
Hudhayfah came to Uthman ibn Affan while he was campaigning against the people of the Levant during the conquest of Armenia and Azerbaijan with the Iraqis. Hudhayfah saw their disagreement over the Quran and said to Uthman, 'Commander of the Faithful, save this nation before they differ over the Book as the Jews and Christians did.' He sent to Hafsa requesting the copies to be sent for us to compile into single copies, then return them to her. Hafsa sent the manuscripts to Uthman, who commanded Zaid ibn Thabit, Saeed ibn Al-As, Abdul-Rahman ibn Harith ibn Hisham, and Abdullah ibn Zubair to copy the manuscripts into copies of the Quran. He told the Quraishi party: 'Whatever you disagree about, write it in the dialect of Quraysh, for the Quran was revealed in their language.' Thus, the manuscripts were transcribed into copies. Uthman sent a copy to every province. Al-Zuhri related this from Kharijah ibn Zaid ibn Thabit that Zaid ibn Thabit had found a verse missing from Surah Al-Ahzab which he remembered the Prophet reciting: "Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allah; among them is he who died, others who wait." He sought it out and found it with Khuzaymah or Abu Khuzaymah and inserted it in its place. They differed then over the word 'al-tabut' (the ark) vs. 'al-tabwah.' The Quraish favored 'al-tabut' and Zaid insisted on 'al-tabwah.' The dispute was referred to Uthman who decreed 'al-tabut' to be written, as it was revealed in the language of Quraysh. 'Abdullah ibn Mas’ud disliked Zaid’s copying and said: "O people of Iraq, withhold the copies you have and keep them away, for Allah says: 'And whoever conceals [what he] has taken on the Day of Resurrection...'" It has been narrated that this was disliked by some notable companions of the Prophet, peace be upon him. This is a sound and authentic hadith known only from Al-Zuhri’s narration.
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