What Is Ahruf And Qirat? | A Full Guide – Ulum Al Azhar

Many Muslims ask about what is ahruf and qirat? As Muslims, we are obligated to read the Quran and understand its meaning. 

However, truly grasping the essence of the Quran can be challenging without a proper understanding of its language and the various recitation styles. 

This article will explore what is ahruf and qirat and the differences between Qiraat and the 7 Ahruf, two crucial aspects of the Quran that every Muslim should be familiar with.

What Is Ahruf And Qirat Meaning?

Proof of the Prophetic Sunnah on the what is ahruf and qirat:

Variation in Surat al-Nur: 

‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) recite an ayah at the end of Surat al-Nur, while placing his two fingers under his eyes and saying, “Seeing of all things” [Tabarani, al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir; Abu al-Qasim ibn Sallam, Fada’il al-Quran]. However, in the standard mushaf, this ayah is written as “Knowing of all things.”

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What Is Qirat?

There are 10 types of Qirat that fall under the Mutawatir category, meaning that they have been transmitted through independent and numerous chains of authorities, ensuring their authenticity and eliminating the possibility of any errors. 

• Qirat Naafi’ Al-Madani
• Qirat Ibn Katheer Al-Makki
• Qirat Abu Amr al-Basri
• Qirat Ibn Aamir ash-Shami
• Qirat Asim Al-Kufi
• Qirat Hamzah al-Kufi
• Qirat Al-Kisaa’i

What Are The 7 Ahruf?

The seven Ahruf refer to the seven dialects of the Arabic language that were prevalent during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). 

Although the Quran was primarily revealed in the Quraishi dialect, spoken by the people of Mecca where the Prophet was born, the spread of Islam led to the Quran being recited in different dialects, causing some confusion among new converts.

To address this, the Prophet (peace be upon him) requested Allah to allow the Quran to be recited in multiple dialects, which led to the revelation of the Quran in seven different Ahruf. 

These Ahruf are not different versions of the Quran but are various permissible ways of reciting the same text, each with its own set of rules and principles.

However, the existence of these different Ahruf initially caused some confusion, particularly among those unfamiliar with the Arabic language. 

Variations in pronunciation and vowel placement led to different interpretations of the Quranic text. 

To resolve this, Muslim scholars developed a set of standardized rules for Quranic recitation, which came to be known as Qira’at.

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Difference Between Qirat And Ahruf

Now that we have an understanding of Qira’at and the seven Ahruf, let’s explore the difference between them. 

Qiraat: refers to the rules and methods governing the recitation of the Quran. In contrast, the seven Ahruf pertain to the various dialects in which the Quran was revealed. 

Thus, while the Ahruf address differences in dialect, the Qira’at is a selection of different combinations of various dialects.

Each Qirat has its own set of rules and principles, differing in aspects such as pronunciation, grammar, and intonation, contributing to the beauty and melody of Quranic recitation. 

The Ahruf, however, involves differences in the pronunciation of certain words and the placement of vowels, yet the meaning of the text remains consistent across all Ahruf.

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• Authentic syllabuses developed by scholars from Al-Azhar in Egypt.
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Conclusion

To conclude the answer “what is ahruf and qirat”: the seven Ahruf are distinct from the seven or ten Qiraat. 

The Ahruf existed during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), whereas the Qira’at were compiled later in the fourth century AH by Ibn Mujahid (may Allah have mercy on him). 

Scholars have differing opinions on whether the seven Ahruf are fully represented in the seven or ten Qira’at, or if only some aspects of the Ahruf have been preserved.

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Faqs On What Is Ahruf And Qirat

Are Qirat And Ahruf The Same?

No, they are not the same.

How Many Qirats Are There In The Quran?

There are 7 Mutawatir Qira’at and 3 Mashhur ones, along with some rare “Shadhdh” readings, which are generally not accepted.