Variant Readings Of The Quran: A Critical Study Of Their Historical And Linguistic Origins

by Ahmad Ali Al-Imam

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.

Genres: Islam, Religion

182 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Professor Ahmad Ali Al-Imam, better known as Shaykh Ahmad, was one of a few distinguished contemporary scholars of Qur'an worldwide. His life since childhood was molded by the study of the Qur'an, which he memorized very early in life. He was fortunate to have as his tutors some of the most learned and pious shaykhs, among them his own father, a remarkable scholar of his time.

Shaykh Ahmad had a very profound religious education but his excellence throughout led him to the University of Edinburgh where he obtained his Ph.D. on the variant readings of the Qur'an.

His experience covered a wide range of interests: academic, political, and social. He was the founder, rector of the University of Qur'an, a former member of Parliament of Sudan, and served as an advisor to the Sudanese President.

In addition to his international contribution to seminars and conferences on Qur'an, Shaykh Ahmad has published a number of books and articles.

Ahmad Ali Al-Imam passed away in 2012.

Reviews

[Lumumba Shakur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is what happens when an expert on a particular subject writes a book on what he knows. I originally bought the book after having been exposed to the claims of a particular modernist "thinker" who claimed, in more words, that the qira'at were a bid'a of the Qur'an reciters (which is a very serious accusation against the Salaf from a slew of directions) and should be discarded by the ummah to the exclusion of Hafs. The author puts this argument to shame...

The work, though deals with a great deal of Orientalists refutation, is academic in its approach on the subject. He discusses both the Muslim and Orientalists opinions on the various issues, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each opinion before mentioning which position he deems to correct. This book perhaps would have had more of an impact on me had I read it before M. Azami's "The History of the Qur'anic Text" which addresses many of the same subjects in a briefer fashion. It is actually relatively short and the actual contents of the book itself is a little more than 70 pages. It actually only left me with one question that is more of an usuli issue; which speaks to his abilities as an author. I would highly recommend the book to the English speaking Muslim world, particularly converts, as the claims that the qira'at represent evidence of textual corruption is a common claim that is made against the Qur'an - a claim which Dr. Ahmad al-Imam thoroughly debunks.

[Muad]

Written in an academic manner. Not very engaging or interesting, but I don't think it was meant to be so. The author talks about the compilation of the Quran, the variant readings and why they exist, the Uthmanic mushaf, and also tackles the different accusations made by critics of Islam in regards to the authenticity and preservation of the Quran.

[Abdulla Zuhury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful reference book relating to holy Quran