Science of qira'at

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What ilm al-qira'at studies

The Quranic text reached us through several readings, each transmitted by two principal rawis, and each riwaya through several turuq. Ilm al-qira'at describes that network: who transmits what, by which route, and how the readings differ, whether in pronunciation, in the length of madd, or more rarely in the form of the word. It is a discipline of transmission before it is a discipline of rules.

The reference works

An-Nashr fi al-qira'at al-ashr by Ibn al-Jazari: the central work of the genre, in two volumes, establishing the ten readings and their routes.
At-Taysir by Abu Amr ad-Dani: older and shorter, devoted to the seven readings.
Ghayat an-nihaya fi tabaqat al-qurra' by Ibn al-Jazari: the biographical dictionary of the reciters, for placing the transmitters.
The works on differences, comparing the riwayat verse by verse, often in table form.
The contemporary introductory manuals, more approachable, useful before opening An-Nashr.

When this shelf becomes useful

After tajwid, not before. Works on qira'at assume the vocabulary of makharij, sifat and madd is already in place, and most refer to Ash-Shatibiyya as to a text already memorised. If the subject is new to you, take an introductory manual and not An-Nashr: the reverse order discourages, and it is the commonest mistake on this shelf.

What to check

The editor, decisive on An-Nashr. The scope announced, seven or ten readings, since both circulate under similar titles. The presence of tables, which makes all the difference in use on the works of differences. And the volume count. These points are on every product page.

Related shelves

For the prerequisites, Tajwid rules. For the matns of this field, Tajwid and qira'at matns. For the orthography carrying these readings, Quranic orthography. For mushafs in each riwaya, Quran. Overview: Quranic sciences.

Order and shipping

Real stock displayed, dispatch within 24 to 48 working hours, delivery to France, Europe and the rest of the world. Tell us whether you are starting out here or looking for a specific edition of An-Nashr, and we will advise accordingly.

Can I start with Ibn al-Jazari's An-Nashr?

That is the commonest mistake on this shelf. An-Nashr assumes the vocabulary of makharij, sifat and madd is already in place, and refers to Ash-Shatibiyya as to a text already memorised. Begin with a contemporary introductory manual, then open An-Nashr as a work of consultation.

What is the difference between a qira'a and a riwaya?

A qira'a is the reading attached to a reciter, Nafi' for instance. A riwaya is the transmission of that reading by one of his two principal transmitters, Qalun or Warsh for Nafi'. Below that, each riwaya subdivides further into turuq, the routes of transmission.

Seven or ten readings: which to choose?

Check the scope announced, since both circulate under similar titles. At-Taysir by Ad-Dani and Ash-Shatibiyya treat the seven. An-Nashr by Ibn al-Jazari treats the ten, and Ad-Durra al-mudiyya adds the three completing the seven. We state the scope on every product page.