Qur'anic Reading in North Africa

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Question:

It is known that the reading of Quran is different in North Africa. What is the difference in that reading (Qiraat ul nafi) from the standard reading i.e. qiraat ul ummah or hafs?

Dr. Muhammad Asif
Pakistan

Answer:

You have rightly stated that the reading of the Holy Qur'an in North Africa is different from that of Qira'at-e-'Ammah. The difference is generally of the following nature:

1. Difference in the pronunciation of a word or in its harakaat (vowel sounds), which may, sometimes, change the meaning of the word.
2. Difference in occurrence of the words in singular and plural forms.
3. Difference in particles, whether in the shape of interchanging the particle Fa with Wao and vice versa or in the shape of omitting it altogether.
4. Difference in use of the verb of the same root.
5. Omission of pronouns
6. Difference in the voice of the verbs and sometimes an order is read as saying of a third person.
7. Verbs are ascribed to different subjects.

I would like to emphasize that Qira'at-e-'Ammah is not based on report of Hafs alone. This is the reading, which we hold is taught by the Prophet (sws) and has been in practice by the whole Ummah right from the times of Prophet (sws) to the present times. It has not been like the other readings confined to some certain people and therefore is Mutawatur (transmitted by the "generation to generation" mode of transmission) and hence reliable in the ultimate form. This is a commonly acknowledged fact about the reading. Ibn Sirin said:

"The reading on which the Quran was read out to the Prophet (sws) in the year of his death is the same according to which people are reading the Holy Quran today." (Suyuti, Itqan Fi Ulumil Quran, 2nd ed., vol.1p.177)

I hope this helps
Tariq Mahmood Hashmi

October 4, 2002

Taken with thanks from www.understanding-islam.org

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