The Concept of Qira’at and their Effects on Al-Ahkam Al-Shar’iyyah

قواعد القراءات وأثارها في الأحكام الشرعية

Abstract

Abstract: The Glorious Qur’an was sent down to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) within the span of twenty three years. Throughout the period, the Prophet (SAW) taught and explained the Sahabah the Divine message of the Qur’an. Allah the Almighty, being the Creator and Most Aware and Knowledgeable about His creatures, revealed the Qur’an in gradual process and according to the ability of human consumption and practicability. Moreover, in some instances, the mode of recitation of Qur’an varies within the same Qur’anic unit. It is obvious that one of the wisdoms behind such variations and differences is to make the Divine message easier and more accommodating in terms of the legislations and injunctions contained therein. This paper attempts to define the concept of Qira’at and highlight some of its effects on al-Ahkam al-Shar’iyyah. The work solely relies on some of the books written on Qira’at by early and contemporary scholars. It is recommended that the utilization, accommodation and appreciation of the variations of Qur’anic recitation may minimize some of the ideological and jurisprudential disagreements and misunderstandings that dominate the legislative discourse in the Islamic intellectual circles.<?span>