[Uloom Al-Qur'an] The Qira'at and The Ahruf

Ansar Al-'Adl · **[Uloom Al-Qur'an] The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 03-19-2005

Assalamu Alykum wa rahmatullahi wa baraktuhu,

Here is some useful information which I wanted to share.

THE AHRUF
First there is the issue nof Ahruf (dialects/modes). The Qur'an was revealed in seven ahruf, as is proved in many mutawaatir ahadith. This was because different tribes pronounced and spelled words differently. The forms matched the dialects of following seven tribes:
1.Quraysh
2.Hudhayl
3.Thaqîf
4.Hawâzin
5.Kinânah
6.Tamîm
7.Yemen

The revelation of the Qur'an in seven different ahruf made its recitation and memorization much easier for the various tribes. At the same time the Qur'an challenged them to produce a surah like it in their own dialect so that they would not complain about the incomprehensibility.

Regarding whether or not these ahruf have been preserved, there are three opinions, the strongest being that of Ibn Taymiyyah, Ash-Shatibee, Ar-Raazi, Ibn Katheer and Ibn Al-Jazaree and many others. They say that when Uthman rd was compiling the Qur'an, he had Zaib ibn Thabit record it without the vowelation and consonants to accomodate the different Ahruf. At some points where the ahruf differed greatly, they recorded it according to the Quraysh dialect. There are 4 benefits which show the Wisdom of Allah revealing the Qur'an in seven ahruf:

1. To facilitate the memorization of the Qur'an. The arabs did not all speak arabic in the same way. The ahruf eased the memorization and was significant in the preservation of the Qur'an.

2. To prove the miraculous nature of the Qur'an. For despite all the differences, the meaning of the Ahruf did not contradict one another, but rather were complimentary.

3. To prove the truthfulness of the Prophet Muhammad saws, for despite the fact that he was illiterate, the revelation of the Qur'an occured in different tribal dialects and different words, all of which consisted of the most fluent and eloquent speech of his time.

4. To honour the ummah of the Prophet Muhammad saws and show its superiority over all other nations.

THE QIRA'AT
Qira'at refers to the various manners of reciting the Qur'an. Each qiraa'a has its OWN rules of tajweed. In Murattal, it is not necessary to emphasize every vowel in clarity as it is in Mujawwad. Each qira'at is named after the Qari who was famous in reciting in that manner.
There are many different Qira'at, but Ibn Mujahid wrote a book on the seven most prominent. He did this on purpose to match the seven ahruf, but some people don't know that there are more than 7 qira'at. In fact, there are ten authentic Qira'at. For a qira'at to be authentic there are very detailed rules which we could discuss later if any wishes.
Here are the ten Qira'at with their famous Qaris:

1. Naafi' Al-Madanee. (Madinah)
Imam Malik recited in this manner. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal often recited in this manner.
The 2 Qaris who preserved this recitation are Qaloon and Warsh.

2. Ibn Katheer al-Makee. (Makkah)
Imam Shafi recited in this manner.
The 2 Qaris who preserved this recitation are Al-Buzzee and Qumbul.

3.Abu Amr al-Basri (Basra)
The 2 Qaris who preserved this recitation are Ad-Doori and As-Soosee.

4. Ibn Aamir ash-Shami (Syria)
The 2 Qaris who preserved this recitation are Hishaam and Ibn Thakwan.

5. Asim al-Kufi (Koofah)
Imaam Abu Hanifa recited in this manner. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal often recited in this manner.
The 2 Qaris who prserved this recitation are Shuba and Hafs

6. Hamzah Al-Kufi (Koofah)
The 2 Qaris who preserved this recitation are Khalaf (who also has his own Qira'at #10) and Khallaad.

7. Al-Kisaa'ee
The 2 Qaris who preserved this recitation are Al-Layth and ad-Doori (same one as before).

8. Abu Ja'far Al-Madanee (Madinah)
The two Qaris who preserved this recitation are Isa and Sulayman.

9. Yaqub ibn Al-Basri (Basra)
Imam Bukhari recited in this manner.
The 2 Qaris who preserved this recitation are Ruways and Rooh.

10. Khalaf (same one who preserved Hamzah's recitation, but this is his own method of reciation)
The 2 Qaris who preserved this reciation are Ishaq and Idris.

Today 95% of the world recites Hafs an Asim, 3% Warsh an Naafi, .7% Qaloon an-Naafi, .3% Ad-Doori an Abu Amr and 1% Ibn 'Aamir.

Please let me know if anyone found this informative.

Khaldun · **Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 03-19-2005

JazzakAllah Khair brother, it certainly was a good read!

Just as a point of interest, I was watching this quran competion and this one student was reading strange, and no I dont mean strange as in a different qira, but strange in that none of the judges recognised the style!! when asked why he read like this, he replied I learned it from my teachers etc. but this was an unknown and not an authentic style so he was idsqualified I think

WomanOfJihad · **Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 03-20-2005

SUBHANALLAH! this was indeed worth reading ... n learnt sumfin new ..

JazaKaLLahu Khairan bro..

Al-Mu'minah · **Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 03-20-2005

Barakalaahu fee that was indeed very intresting. Masha Allah!

**Muhammad** · **Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 04-12-2005

Jazakallah Khayr for this article, it was very interesting. Just to be clear: each of the tribes had their own style of recitation (eg. Naafi' Al Madani was a tribe) and then 2 Qaaris are famous for reading in this style (eg. Qaloon and Warsh). But I thought Qaloon and Qarsh are both different?

The part where you said: "They say that when Uthman rd was compiling the Qur'an, he had Zaib ibn Thabit record it without the vowelation and consonants to accomodate the different Ahruf. At some points where the ahruf differed greatly, they recorded it according to the Quraysh dialect"
does this mean that most of the Quran recorded by Uthman (ra) was without any vowels, but where it caused alteration of meaning, that is where they put them in in accordance with the Quraysh style? I thought that the different dialects all had the same meaning...

By the way, which style was that of Quraysh?
Last of all, please tell about the detailed rules you were speaking of, I am very curious now! Where did you get this info from?

Jazakallah Khayr for your help,

**Uthmān** · **Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 04-12-2005

Subhan'Allah that as a very informative article.

Now it's time to help brother Muhammad. I am also curious.

**Muraad** · **Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 04-12-2005

Nice article Bro Ansar. :thnumbs_up

Quote:

2. Ibn Katheer al-Makee. (Makkah)

Is that the one Shuraim and Sudais recite???

Ansar Al-'Adl · **Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 04-12-2005

Quote:

Jazakallah Khayr for this article, it was very interesting.

glad you enjoyed it.

Quote:

Just to be clear: each of the tribes had their own style of recitation (eg. Naafi' Al Madani was a tribe) and then 2 Qaaris are famous for reading in this style (eg. Qaloon and Warsh). But I thought Qaloon and Qarsh are both different?

They are both different, I suppose they each emphasized different aspects of An-Nafi Al-Madanee. But they both have the same original Qira'at.

Quote:

The part where you said: "They say that when Uthman rd was compiling the Qur'an, he had Zaib ibn Thabit record it without the vowelation and consonants to accomodate the different Ahruf. At some points where the ahruf differed greatly, they recorded it according to the Quraysh dialect"
does this mean that most of the Quran recorded by Uthman (ra) was without any vowels, but where it caused alteration of meaning, that is where they put them in in accordance with the Quraysh style? I thought that the different dialects all had the same meaning...

They all have similar meanings. THe point is, that where they could accomodate more than one ahruf by avoiding extra markings, they would do so, but if only one could be accomodated, it would be the Qurayshi dialect.

Quote:

By the way, which style was that of Quraysh?

Everyone recites today, mostly according to the Qurayshi dialect.

Quote:

Last of all, please tell about the detailed rules you were speaking of, I am very curious now! Where did you get this info from?

Rules for a Qira'at to be authentic? One can study this information in any basic course on Uloom Al-Qur'an, but an excellent book to start with would be An Introduction to the Sciences of the Qur'aan by Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi.

**Muhammad** · **Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 04-14-2005

Jazakallah Khayr for answering the questions Ansar, I am a bit clearer on the issue now.
I think its quite sad how very little of most of the other dialects are in use today, since 95% of the world recites in the Hafs-An-Aasim dialect. (I think this is the same style that Shuraim and Sudais use aswell, in answer to bro Ahmed's question - I think the Al-Makkee part in 'Ibn Katheer Al-Makkee' is referring to the location where the original tribe who used that dialect lived).
A good site to go to in order to listen to a wide variety of dialects is http://www.islamway.com/?iw_s=Recitor - although you cannot view all the different categories in the english version of the site. Its amazing how each has its own Tajweed and style!

**Uthmān** · **Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 04-14-2005

Yup! That's a great site and has many good recitors. Yes, very interesting, isn't it? All different styles and tajweed.

**Muhammad** · **Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 05-01-2005

I found this link to a site discussing the Seven Ahruf and their conditions of acceptance etc. whilst on almaghrib forums:
http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Qur...at/hafs.html#3

I hope it is of help Insha'Allaah.

Ansar Al-'Adl · **Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 09-08-2005

After I had prepared this post based on Yasir Qadhi's book, it was also uploaded on the Bismikaallahuma site, in much more detail here:
The Ahruf of The Qur’aan
The Qira’aat of the Qur’an

EDIT links fixed.

Khayal · **Re: [Uloom Al-Qur'an] The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 09-10-2005

MashaAllah, it was very interesting and informative article.....

Jazak ALLAH khair :rose:

Najiullah · **Re: [Uloom Al-Qur'an] The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 04-19-2006

jazakullah

hidaayah · **Re: [Uloom Al-Qur'an] The Qira'at and The Ahruf -** 04-19-2006

a very benefcial read Mashallah..jazakallah khairun

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Ansar Al-'Adl Jewel of LI Status: Offline Posts: 5,164 Reputation: 15118 Rep Power: 55 Join Date: Dec 2004 Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	[Uloom Al-Qur'an] The Qira'at and The Ahruf - 03-19-2005 Assalamu Alykum wa rahmatullahi wa baraktuhu, Here is some useful information which I wanted to share. THE AHRUF First there is the issue nof Ahruf (dialects/modes). The Qur'an was revealed in seven ahruf, as is proved in many mutawaatir ahadith. This was because different tribes pronounced and spelled words differently. The forms matched the dialects of following seven tribes: 1.Quraysh 2.Hudhayl 3.Thaqîf 4.Hawâzin 5.Kinânah 6.Tamîm 7.Yemen The revelation of the Qur'an in seven different ahruf made its recitation and memorization much easier for the various tribes. At the same time the Qur'an challenged them to produce a surah like it in their own dialect so that they would not complain about the incomprehensibility. Regarding whether or not these ahruf have been preserved, there are three opinions, the strongest being that of Ibn Taymiyyah, Ash-Shatibee, Ar-Raazi, Ibn Katheer and Ibn Al-Jazaree and many others. They say that when Uthman rd was compiling the Qur'an, he had Zaib ibn Thabit record it without the vowelation and consonants to accomodate the different Ahruf. At some points where the ahruf differed greatly, they recorded it according to the Quraysh dialect. There are 4 benefits which show the Wisdom of Allah revealing the Qur'an in seven ahruf: 1. To facilitate the memorization of the Qur'an. The arabs did not all speak arabic in the same way. The ahruf eased the memorization and was significant in the preservation of the Qur'an. 2. To prove the miraculous nature of the Qur'an. For despite all the differences, the meaning of the Ahruf did not contradict one another, but rather were complimentary. 3. To prove the truthfulness of the Prophet Muhammad saws, for despite the fact that he was illiterate, the revelation of the Qur'an occured in different tribal dialects and different words, all of which consisted of the most fluent and eloquent speech of his time. 4. To honour the ummah of the Prophet Muhammad saws and show its superiority over all other nations. THE QIRA'AT Qira'at refers to the various manners of reciting the Qur'an. Each qiraa'a has its OWN rules of tajweed. In Murattal, it is not necessary to emphasize every vowel in clarity as it is in Mujawwad. Each qira'at is named after the Qari who was famous in reciting in that manner. There are many different Qira'at, but Ibn Mujahid wrote a book on the seven most prominent. He did this on purpose to match the seven ahruf, but some people don't know that there are more than 7 qira'at. In fact, there are ten authentic Qira'at. For a qira'at to be authentic there are very detailed rules which we could discuss later if any wishes. Here are the ten Qira'at with their famous Qaris: 1. Naafi' Al-Madanee. (Madinah) Imam Malik recited in this manner. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal often recited in this manner. The 2 Qaris who preserved this recitation are Qaloon and Warsh. 2. Ibn Katheer al-Makee. (Makkah) Imam Shafi recited in this manner. The 2 Qaris who preserved this recitation are Al-Buzzee and Qumbul. 3.Abu Amr al-Basri (Basra) The 2 Qaris who preserved this recitation are Ad-Doori and As-Soosee. 4. Ibn Aamir ash-Shami (Syria) The 2 Qaris who preserved this recitation are Hishaam and Ibn Thakwan. 5. Asim al-Kufi (Koofah) Imaam Abu Hanifa recited in this manner. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal often recited in this manner. The 2 Qaris who prserved this recitation are Shuba and Hafs 6. Hamzah Al-Kufi (Koofah) The 2 Qaris who preserved this recitation are Khalaf (who also has his own Qira'at #10) and Khallaad. 7. Al-Kisaa'ee The 2 Qaris who preserved this recitation are Al-Layth and ad-Doori (same one as before). 8. Abu Ja'far Al-Madanee (Madinah) The two Qaris who preserved this recitation are Isa and Sulayman. 9. Yaqub ibn Al-Basri (Basra) Imam Bukhari recited in this manner. The 2 Qaris who preserved this recitation are Ruways and Rooh. 10. Khalaf (same one who preserved Hamzah's recitation, but this is his own method of reciation) The 2 Qaris who preserved this reciation are Ishaq and Idris. Today 95% of the world recites Hafs an Asim, 3% Warsh an Naafi, .7% Qaloon an-Naafi, .3% Ad-Doori an Abu Amr and 1% Ibn 'Aamir. Please let me know if anyone found this informative. __________________ The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Surely I was sent to perfect the qualities of righteous character" [Musnad Ahmad, Muwatta Mâlik] Visit Ansâr Al-'Adl's personal page HERE. Excellent resources on Islam listed HERE.

	(#2 (permalink))
Khaldun Alif Lam Mim. Status: Offline Posts: 1,909 Reputation: 14292 Rep Power: 50 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Student at the Madeenah University Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf - 03-19-2005 JazzakAllah Khair brother, it certainly was a good read! Just as a point of interest, I was watching this quran competion and this one student was reading strange, and no I dont mean strange as in a different qira, but strange in that none of the judges recognised the style!! when asked why he read like this, he replied I learned it from my teachers etc. but this was an unknown and not an authentic style so he was idsqualified I think

	(#3 (permalink))
WomanOfJihad IB Oldtimer Status: Offline Posts: 1,408 Reputation: 1448 Rep Power: 34 Join Date: Dec 2004 Gender:	Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf - 03-20-2005 SUBHANALLAH! this was indeed worth reading ... n learnt sumfin new .. JazaKaLLahu Khairan bro.. __________________ The Prophet said, "Nobody who enters Paradise likes to go back to the world even if he got everything on the earth, except a Mujahid who wishes to return to the world so that he may be martyred ten times because of the dignity he receives (from Allah)."

	(#4 (permalink))
Al-Mu'minah Al-Athariyyah Status: Offline Posts: 5,136 Reputation: 23244 Rep Power: 65 Join Date: Jan 2005 Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf - 03-20-2005 Barakalaahu fee that was indeed very intresting. Masha Allah!

	(#5 (permalink))
Muhammad Slave of Allaah Status: Offline Posts: 4,826 Reputation: 46280 Rep Power: 91 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: on a Journey... Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf - 04-12-2005 Jazakallah Khayr for this article, it was very interesting. Just to be clear: each of the tribes had their own style of recitation (eg. Naafi' Al Madani was a tribe) and then 2 Qaaris are famous for reading in this style (eg. Qaloon and Warsh). But I thought Qaloon and Qarsh are both different? The part where you said: "They say that when Uthman rd was compiling the Qur'an, he had Zaib ibn Thabit record it without the vowelation and consonants to accomodate the different Ahruf. At some points where the ahruf differed greatly, they recorded it according to the Quraysh dialect" does this mean that most of the Quran recorded by Uthman (ra) was without any vowels, but where it caused alteration of meaning, that is where they put them in in accordance with the Quraysh style? I thought that the different dialects all had the same meaning... By the way, which style was that of Quraysh? Last of all, please tell about the detailed rules you were speaking of, I am very curious now! Where did you get this info from? Jazakallah Khayr for your help,

	(#6 (permalink))
Uthmān LI News Service Status: Offline Posts: 5,576 Reputation: 45584 Rep Power: 93 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Warrington, England Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf - 04-12-2005 Subhan'Allah that as a very informative article. Now it's time to help brother Muhammad. I am also curious. __________________ Imaam al-Shaafi'ee (rahimahullah) said: I never argued with anyone with the intention to win; rather, my intention was to seek the truth. Can you say the same thing? Think about it. Then think again.

	(#9 (permalink))
Muhammad Slave of Allaah Status: Offline Posts: 4,826 Reputation: 46280 Rep Power: 91 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: on a Journey... Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf - 04-14-2005 Jazakallah Khayr for answering the questions Ansar, I am a bit clearer on the issue now. I think its quite sad how very little of most of the other dialects are in use today, since 95% of the world recites in the Hafs-An-Aasim dialect. (I think this is the same style that Shuraim and Sudais use aswell, in answer to bro Ahmed's question - I think the Al-Makkee part in 'Ibn Katheer Al-Makkee' is referring to the location where the original tribe who used that dialect lived). A good site to go to in order to listen to a wide variety of dialects is http://www.islamway.com/?iw_s=Recitor - although you cannot view all the different categories in the english version of the site. Its amazing how each has its own Tajweed and style!

	(#10 (permalink))
Uthmān LI News Service Status: Offline Posts: 5,576 Reputation: 45584 Rep Power: 93 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Warrington, England Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf - 04-14-2005 Yup! That's a great site and has many good recitors. Yes, very interesting, isn't it? All different styles and tajweed. __________________ Imaam al-Shaafi'ee (rahimahullah) said: I never argued with anyone with the intention to win; rather, my intention was to seek the truth. Can you say the same thing? Think about it. Then think again.

	(#11 (permalink))
Muhammad Slave of Allaah Status: Offline Posts: 4,826 Reputation: 46280 Rep Power: 91 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: on a Journey... Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf - 05-01-2005 I found this link to a site discussing the Seven Ahruf and their conditions of acceptance etc. whilst on almaghrib forums: http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Qur...at/hafs.html#3 I hope it is of help Insha'Allaah.

	(#12 (permalink))
Ansar Al-'Adl Jewel of LI Status: Offline Posts: 5,164 Reputation: 15118 Rep Power: 55 Join Date: Dec 2004 Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: The Qira'at and The Ahruf - 09-08-2005 After I had prepared this post based on Yasir Qadhi's book, it was also uploaded on the Bismikaallahuma site, in much more detail here: The Ahruf of The Qur’aan The Qira’aat of the Qur’an EDIT links fixed. __________________ The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Surely I was sent to perfect the qualities of righteous character" [Musnad Ahmad, Muwatta Mâlik] Visit Ansâr Al-'Adl's personal page HERE. Excellent resources on Islam listed HERE.

	(#15 (permalink))
hidaayah 313'z Status: Offline Posts: 2,765 Reputation: 6001 Rep Power: 35 Join Date: Nov 2005 Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: [Uloom Al-Qur'an] The Qira'at and The Ahruf - 04-19-2006 a very benefcial read Mashallah..jazakallah khairun __________________ وإذا لم يكن منَ الموتِ بُدُّ فمِنَ العَجزِ أنْ تَكُونَ جَبَانا If death is something inescapable, then it is from weakness to be a coward-! Lahoo main bhegay dareeda Anchal Qasam hai tum ko bhula na daina...

	(#13 (permalink))
Khayal a ThOuGhT Status: Offline Posts: 5,552 Reputation: 22473 Rep Power: 62 Join Date: May 2005 Location: In Thoughts! Way of Life: Muslim	Re: [Uloom Al-Qur'an] The Qira'at and The Ahruf - 09-10-2005 MashaAllah, it was very interesting and informative article..... Jazak ALLAH khair :rose: __________________ *Even a Smile is charity!* .

	(#14 (permalink))
Najiullah IB Oldtimer Status: Offline Posts: 4,373 Reputation: 8058 Rep Power: 38 Join Date: Apr 2006 Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: [Uloom Al-Qur'an] The Qira'at and The Ahruf - 04-19-2006 jazakullah