Variant Readings of the Qurʼan: A Critical Study of Their Historical and Linguistic Origins

Ahmad Ali Al-Imam

Jan 2006 · International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT)

About this ebook

 This fascinating and important book attempts to investigate the nature of the seven Ahruf in which the Qur’an has been revealed and the reason for the variations in readings among the Qurraa of the Quran. It studies, examines, and discusses: the revelation of the Qur’an in the seven ahruf concluding that they represent seven linguistical ways of recitation; the compilation of the Quran during the lifetime of the Prophet and the preservation of the Quran in the memories of the Companions as well as in written form, the compilation during the time of Abu Bakr, and the further compilation during the time of Uthman; the problem of naskh to demonstrate the completeness and trustworthiness of the Quran and that no verses are missing or were read and abrogated by naskh al-tilawah either with or without hukm; the Uthmanic masahif and their relation to the seven ahruf; the language of the Quran and whether it includes one, several, or all the dialects of the Arabs; the origin of the qiraat and conditions governing accepted readings; and ikhtiyar (i.e., the selection of one reading rather than another) and the rules governing the Qurraa’ who selected a reading.

About the author

 Professor Ahmad Ali Al-Imam is hafiz of the Qur’an and one of a few distinguished scholars of the Qur’an worldwide. He holds a PhD from Edinburgh University on the topic of variant readings of the Qur’an, served as a lecturer at Omdurman Islamic University, Sudan and is founder and rector of the University of the Holy Qur’an and Islamic Sciences in Sudan. Specializing in Qur’anic Sciences with special focus on criticizing the work of Orientalists on the language and history of the Qur’an, he has published a number of books and articles tackling issues related to Qur’anic sciences, implementation of Shar’iah and the future of Islam. He has also contributed to various international seminars and conferences on the Qur’an. (2006).