An Analysis of the Evolution of Shiite Scholars’ Views on the Continuity of Quranic Recitations (Qira’at)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Department of Quran and Jurisprudence, Shiraz University, Iran, "

2 **. Ph.D. Candidate inQuran and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Department of Quran and Jurisprudence, Shiraz University, Iran

Abstract

After the emergence of variations in Quranic recitations (Qira’at) and their restriction to the Seven and Ten Recitations (Qira’at) in the fourth century AH, Shiite scholars have demonstrated different approaches to deal with the massive reporting of Recitations (Qira’at) over the years. Some contemporary scholars believe that Shia Muslims have unanimously agreed on Quranic Recitations (Qira’at) from the beginning of the Quran’s revelation to the present day. However, a closer examination of sources reveals not only the absence of such unanimity but also significant changes in the views of Shiite scholars on the massive reporting of Quranic recitations (Qira’at) over the past fourteen centuries. Some have denied the massive reporting of Quranic recitations (Qira’at), while others have explicitly considered them massive reports. In this research, we have attempted to extract the opinions of renowned Shiite scholars from their remaining works and clarify the differences in their approaches to the issue of the massive reporting of the Quranic recitations (Qira’at) over the years. We have also analyzed and compared these viewpoints to illustrate the historical evolution of their views on this topic. The results of this study indicate that the perspectives of Shiite scholars regarding the massive reporting of Quranic recitations (Qira’at) vary. In the first to fifth centuries, the permissibility of famous recitations (Qira’at) was discussed, and from the sixth century onwards, the issue of the massive reporting of Quranic Recitations (Qira’at) was raised. From the 11th century onwards, Shiite scholars began to deny the massive reporting of Quranic recitations (Qira’at).

Keywords


  1. Ameli, Mohammad bin Maki, Dhikra al-Shia fi Ahkam al-Shari’ah (The Shitte Theories on Islamic Laws), Qom: Alul-Bayt (A.S.) Institute for the Revival of Heritage, 1419 AH (1998 CE).
  2. Ameli, Zain al-Din bin Ali, Al-Maqasid al-’Aliyyah fi Sharh al-Risalah al-Alfiyah (The High Aims in the Explanation of the Thousand-Issue Treatise), Qom: Office of Islamic Preaching of the Seminary, 1420 AH (1999 CE).
  3. Araki, Mohammad Ali, Kitab al-Salat (The Book of Prayer), Qom: Office of Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammad Ali Araki, 1421 AH (2000 CE).
  4. Ashtiani, Mohammad Hassan bin Ja’far, Bahr al-Fawaid fi Sharh al-Fara’id (The Sea of Benefits in the Explanation of the Unique),p., n.p., 1430 AH (2009 CE).
  5. Baharani, Yousef bin Ahmad, Hada’iq al-Nazirah fi Ahkam al-’Itrah al-Tahirah (The Gardens of the Observer in the Rules of the Pure Imams), Qom: Islamic Publishing Institute affiliated with the Association of Qom Seminary Teachers, n.d.
  6. Balaghi, Mohammad Javad, Ala’ al-Rahman fi Tafsir al-Quran (The Graces of the Most Compassionate in the Interpretation of the Quran), Qom: Be’thah Foundation, 1419 AH (1998 CE).
  7. Fadli, Abdul Hadi, Al-Qira’at al-Quraniyah (Quranic Recitations), Qom: Dar al-Qalam, 1405 AH (1985 CE).
  8. Fadli, Abdul Hadi, Al-Qira’at al-Quraniyah: Tarikh wa Ta’rif (Quranic Recitations: History and Definition), Beirut: Al-Ghadir Center for Studies, Publishing, and Distribution, 1413 AH (1992 CE).
  9. Fakhrimobedi, Mohammad, “Ikhtilaf Qira’at wa Naqsh an Dar Tafsir az Didgah Allamah Tabatabai (The Differences in Quranic Recitations (Qira’at) and Their Role in Tafsir from the Perspective of Allama Tabatabai)”, Quran Studies, Volume 4, Number 2, 1390 SH (2011 CE).
  10. Fayd Kashani, Mohammad bin Murtadha, Al-Wafi (The Sufficient), Qom: Athar Attar, n.d.
  11. Grawand, Najimeh et al., “Didgah Sheikh Amin al-Islam Tabarsi dar Mawrid Qira’at (The View of Sheikh Amin al-Islam Tabarsi on Quranic Recitations)”, Studies in Quranic Recitations, Volume 7, Number 12, 1398 SH (2019 CE).
  12. Hassanzadeh Amoli, Hassan, Quran Hargiz Tahreef Nashode (The Quran Has Never Been Distorted), Abdul Ali Mohammadi Shahroudi, Qom: Qiyam Publications, 1371 SH (1992 CE).
  13. Hilli, Hassan bin Yusuf, Muntaha al-Matlab fi Tahqiq al-Madhhab (The Ultimate Discussion in Verifying the School of Thought), Mashhad: Islamic Research Foundation, 1412 AH (1991 CE).
  14. Hilli, Hassan bin Yusuf, Tadhkirat al-Fuqaha (The Biography of the Jurists), Qom: Alul Bayt Institute for the Revival of Heritage, 1414 AH (1993 CE).
  15. Hurr Ameli, Mohammad bin Hassan, Wasail al-Shi’a (The Means of the Shia), Lebanon: Dar Ihya’ al-Turath al-Arabi, 1389 AH (1969 CE).
  16. Ibn Babawayh, Mohammad bin Ali, Al-Khisal (The Traits), Qom: Association of Scholars in the Islamic Seminary, Islamic Publication Foundation, 1416 AH (1995 CE).
  17. Ibn Hajar Asqalani, Ahmad bin Ali, Nuzhat al-Nazr fi Tawdih Nukhbat al-Fikr (Chosen Thoughts on the Nomenclature of Hadith Experts), Edited by Abdullah bin Dhaifullah Ruhaili, Riyadh, 1985 CE.
  18. Ibn Jazari, Al-Nashr fi al-Qira’at al-’Ashr (A Work on the Ten Recitations), Edited by Ali Mohammad al-Diba’, Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, n.d.
  19. Javadi Amoli, Abdullah, Nuzhat al-Quran az Tahreef (The Purity of the Quran from Distortion), Qom: Esra Publications, 1382 SH (2003 CE).
  20. Khansari, Mohammad Baqer, Rawdat al-Jannat (The Gardens of Paradise), Qom: Ismailian Publications, 1390 SH (2011 CE).
  21. Khoe’i, Sayyid Abu al-Qasim, Bayan dar Ulum wa Masail Kulli Quran (An Exposition on Sciences and General Issues of the Quran), Tehran: Organization for the Study and Compilation of University Books in Iran, 1382 SH (2003 CE).
  22. Khomeini, Ruhollah, Tahrir al-Wasilah (The Expalanation of Means of Jurisprudence), Qom: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, 2nd Edition, 1390 SH (2011 CE).
  23. Kulayni, Mohammad bin Ya’qub, Al-Kafi, Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, 1363 SH (1984 CE).
  24. Ma’rifat, Mohammad Hadi, Talakhis al-Tamhid (The Summary of Introduction to Quranic Sciences), Qom: Islamic Publishing Institute, 1436 AH (2015 CE).
  25. Ma’rifat, Mohammad Hadi, Tarikh Quran (History of the Quran), Tehran: Organization for the Study and Compilation of University Books in Iran (SAMT), 1382 SH (2003 CE).
  26. Mirmohammadi Zarrandi, Abu al-Fadl, Buhuth fi Tarikh al-Quran wa Ulumuhu (Research on the History of the Quran and Its Sciences), Qom: Islamic Publishing Institute, 1420 AH (1999 CE).
  27. Mohammadi and Colleagues, Mohammad Hossein et al., "Qira’at wa Hujjiyyat an az Manzar Abu Ja’far Tabari wa Amin al-Islam Tabarsi (Recitations and Their Authority in the Views of Abu Ja'far Tabari and Amin al-Islam Tabarsi)", Journal of Quranic Recitation Studies, Volume 10, Issue 19, 1401 SH (2022 CE).
  28.  
  29. Najafi, Mohammad Hassan bin Baqir, Jawahir al-Kalam (The Gems of Discussion), Lebanon: Dar Ihya’ al-Turath al-Arabi, 1430 AH (2009 CE).
  30. Nouri, Hossein bin Mohammad Taqi, Mustadrak al-Wasail (The Complement of Means of Shia), Lebanon: Alul Bayt Institute for the Revival of Heritage, 1408 AH (1987 CE).
  31. Parchebafi Dolati, Karim, “Entekhab Qira’at az Didgah Amin al-Islam Tabarsi (Selecting Recitations from the Perspective of Amin al-Islam Tabarsi)”, Qira’at Research Journal, Volume 1, Number 1, 1392 SH (2013 CE).
  32. Saki, Nancy, Shaker, Mohammad Kazem, “Tawatur Quran and Chaleshhaye Pishro (Massive Reporting of the Quran and Challenges Ahead)”, Siraj Munir Journal, Volume 5, Number 17, 1393 SH (2014 CE).
  33. Sheikh Mufid, Mohammad bin Mohammad bin Nu’man, Al-Masa’il al-Sarwiyyah (Al-Sarwiyyah’s Issues), Beirut: Dar al-Mufid for Printing, Publishing, and Distribution, 1414 AH (1993 CE).
  34. Soltani Ranani, Mohammad, “Didgah Sheikh Tusi dar Mawrid Qira’at Quran (The View of Sheikh Tusi on Quranic Recitations)”, Studies in Quranic Recitations, Volume 7, Number 12, 1398 SH (2019).
  35. Suyuti, Jalal al-Din, Al-Itqan fi ‘Ulum al-Quran (The Perfect Guide to the Sciences of the Quran),p., Published by Al-Sharif Rida, n.d.
  36. Tabarsi, Fadl bin Hassan, Tafsir Majma al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran (The Interpretation of the Compilation of Statements in the Interpretation of the Quran), Translated by Mohammad Beestoni, Qom: Bayan Javan, 1390 SH (2011 CE).
  37. Tabatabai Yazdi, Sayyid Mohammad Kazem, Urwat al-Wuthqa (The Firmest Handle), Qom: Islamic Publishing Institute, 1417 AH (1997 CE).
  38. Tabatabai, Mohammad Hossein, Quran dar Islam (Quran in Islam), Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, 1394 SH (2015 CE).
  39. Tusi, Mohammad bin Hassan, Tafsir al-Tibyan (The Exegesis of Clarification), Qom: Islamic Publishing Institute, 1413 AH (1992 CE).
  40. Zarqani, Mohammad Abdul Azim, Manahil al-Irfan fi ‘Ulum al-Quran (The Sources of Knowledge in Quranic Sciences), Translated by Mohsen Armin, Tehran: Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, 1385 SH (2006 CE).