The Quranic Recitation in Melodic Chant: The Perspective of Imam Khamenei

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Mohammad Faker Meybodi, Professor at Al-Mustafa International University, Qom, Iran

Abstract

Various perspectives have been articulated by jurists, exegetes, and scholars specializing in Quranic sciences concerning the practice of reciting the Quran through melodic chant (ghina’). This study investigates the notion of ghina’ in Quranic recitation as interpreted by Imam Khamenei, a modern jurist known for his comprehensive and nuanced views on matters related to music and ghina’. The central research question explores Imam Khamenei’s stance on melodic recitation (Question of Research), employing an analytical-narrative approach within the context of Islamic jurisprudence and Quranic studies (Methodology). The outcomes of this research reveal several key points: the classification of ghina’ into general and specific categories, as well as lawful (halal) and unlawful (haram) forms; a tripartite categorization of the human voice; the non-absolute prohibition of ghina’ as indicated by various narrations; the recognition of customary understanding (urf) in defining what constitutes ghina’; the irrelevance of factors such as the presence of immoral individuals, musical instruments, sound materials, and exhilaration in determining the essence of ghina’; the restriction of Quranic recitation in the form of ghina’ when it aligns with the criteria of haram ghina’; the allowance for melodic chanting (taghanni) in Quranic recitation in a conventional manner that does not qualify as haram ghina’; and the specific exclusion of melodic Quranic recitation from the prohibition ruling, rather than its outright exemption (Research Outcome).

Keywords

References

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Studies of Quran Reading
Volume 12, Issue 22 - Serial Number 22
September 2024
Pages 119-152

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History

  • Receive Date: 14 August 2023
  • Revise Date: 19 October 2023
  • Accept Date: 15 April 2024

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