What Is Qirat in Islam and How to Learn Them Effectively
The term qirat refers to the many recitations of the Holy Quran. The presentation of the Quran may use a wide variety of lexical, phonetic, phonological, morphological, and grammatical conventions. The recitation guidelines and word/letter variations for each Qirah are unique. Besides referring to the recitation practices, qirat may also refer to the Islamic department responsible for negotiating them. As the Quran is safeguarded in Qirat, we may say that Qirat is the verbalization of the Quran.
Qirat:
The Arabic word Qirat means “reading,” hence it is clear that it is derived from the word Qirah. Several scholars of the Quran have debated the use of this phrase, and they have arrived at widely divergent conclusions, such as the one that “Quranic commentary” refers to material that helps readers understand the meaning of specific passages. It is inspired by the Arabic phrase for “one who narrates the Holy Quran,” “Qari,” which describes a recitation of the Quran. ‘Qirat’ is an Arabic word that means to read or recite. The English word for “great” means the same thing: reading a piece of writing aloud from memory.
Characteristics of Different Qirat in the Quran
The several Qira’t types represent the methods used by the most renowned specialists holding the chains to recite the Quran. The well-known Rawis characterized the Qira’t with a validated and established chain, from which all subsequent names were derived. Several types of Qira’t traced back to Allah’s Witness via a coordinated and genuine chain of evidence prove that this Holy Book might have been revealed from Allah (SWT) and preserved throughout the years (PBUH).
The following names refer to the seven different Qira’t:
The Seven Different Forms of Qirat Listed in the Quran
- It is generally agreed that the seven Qira’t types that are most often taken fall into the Mutawatir category, which describes a transmission with autonomous chains of experts so vast as to eliminate the plausibility of any botch. In addition, Abu Bakr ibn Mujahid, a well-known scholar of the Quran whose specialty is qira’a, hand-picked these particular stanzas.
- The Holy Quran was mainly retold in this fashion by Qira’t Naafi’ Al-Madani (Madinah), Imam Malik (RA), and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA). Qaris Qaloon and Warsh guarded this recital.
- This is the method by which Qiraat Ibn Katheer Al-Makki (Makkah), Al-Buzzi, and Imam Shafi presented the Quran. The two Qaris responsible for the safety of this recitation are Al-Buzzi and Qunbul.
- The two Qaris who guarded this method of reading the Holy Quran were Qiraat Abu Amr al-Basri (Basra) Ad-Doori and As-Soosi.
- Qira’at Ibn Aamir as-Shami (Syria) Two Qaris, Ibn Dhakwan and Hisham, preserved and passed down this recital of the Quran.
- The Quran was commonly delivered in this manner by Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA) of Kufa (Qira’t Asim Al-Kufi).
- There are 10 Qirat, although only seven are considered in practice. It’s because seven prominent scholars and their students stayed in one place during Islam’s rise to power. In contrast, the other three dispersed to other parts of the world, where they remained hidden until a scholar called Ibn el Jazerry toured the globe and uncovered them.
Defining Qirat in the Hadith
To Allah be the glory, we thank Him, pray to Him, and beg His pardon in His name. We testify that Muhammad (saws) is Allah’s slave-servant and the seal of Allah’s Messengers and that no other deity is worthy of worship save Allah Alone.
In the authentic hadith that was just quoted, the Messenger of Allah (saws) equated the reward that Allah Subhanah would bestow upon someone who follows a funeral procession and offers prayers for it as one qirat and the bonus of someone who follows the funeral procession and offers prayers for it and attends the actual burial as two qirats. In response to his companions’ questions about the qirat’s precise dimensions, the Prophet of Allah (saws) likened it to a mountain in terms of its weight in gold.
For example, if one attends a funeral and prays over the body of the dead while walking behind the funeral procession.
It is a worthy deed in Allah’s (subhanahu wa ta’ala) sight to stay at the graveside of a deceased believer until they are laid to rest.
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When comparing Tajweed to Qirat, there are several key distinctions.
Qirat is often confused with tajweed and vice versa. Tajweed refers to guidelines for the proper articulation and recitation of the Quran, whereas qirat is a traditional recitation technique.
Similarly, the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) via tajweed, which he then taught to his companions RAA.
Both qirat and tajweed are vital to the recitation of the Quran, although they pertain to distinct linguistic features of the Quranic recitation.
When we recite verses and chapters from the Quran, we’re talking about qirat. Qirat involves the accurate pronunciation of each letter and the right tone, rhythm, and cadence. The goal is to recite the Quran in a way that is both aesthetically pleasant and faithful to the original text.
In contrast, tajweed describes the principles and guidelines for correcting the pronunciation of Quranic letters and reciting Quranic verses and chapters. The directions for merging letters, elongating sounds, and stopping at good moments are all part of tajweed, the art of pronouncing the Arabic language correctly. For fidelity to the original text, tajweed is a crucial part of reciting the Quran.
Qirat recites the Quranic text, whereas Tajweed is the body of rules and principles guiding proper pronunciation and recitation. Muslims aim to recite the Quran with utmost correctness and elegance by the principles of Tajweed, which includes both qirat and Tajweed. Now we talk about tajweed.
Tajweed, you’re reading the Quran.
Reciting the Quran with incorrect pronunciation is forbidden for religious reasons. If you know how to recite the Quran but feel uncomfortable with your tajweed, you may enroll in any Islamic school or academy like Tipyaan Academy.
Filter your thoughts and breathe before reading the Quran.
Reciting the Quran in a state of spiritual and physical purity is obligatory. One must not touch the Quran or any verse from the Quran if a ghusl (shower) is required. In the Quran, ALLAH TA’ALA stresses the need for cleansing as
And indeed, the Qur’an is a great book. A safe place where only the pure may access it: a Registry. [Quran, 56: 77-79]
Don’t discuss the Quran while reciting it.
Hadith 5.215 of Sahih Al-Bukhari, narrated by Abdullah
We used to greet the Prophet (saws), and he would do the same when he joined us in prayer.
Yet, we greeted him when he was in prayer upon our return from seeing Najashi (the King of Ethiopia), but he did not answer. With a loud voice, we exclaimed, “Oh, Prophet of Allah (saws)! In the past, when we welcomed you, you would reply with like.
During the prayer, the mind is focused on the most critical things he (saws) said. In other words, returning a welcome in this situation is impossible.
One must not approach a praying person or interrupt them when they are in this condition since it is the same as closing the Almighty God.
When someone is devotedly reciting the Glorious Quran or supplicating to the Lord, it is impolite to disturb them until they have completed it.
It does not matter whether the individual is in the middle of reciting anything or praying if they are interrupted and the response is given. But if there’s an emergency and you need to speak to them immediately, then do so.
Find out How to recite Tajweed.
Although knowing tajweed isn’t mandatory for Muslims, it is necessary for reading and reciting the Quran correctly. A significant benefit of studying Tajweed is that it enhances one’s comprehension of the Quranic text, making this advice all the more valuable.
Each word and letter in the Quran is yours to practice pronouncing. The proper way to say them has eluded me. If you are familiar with the concepts of Tajweed, you may be able to read the Quran correctly and avoid the most frequent blunders.
One’s responsibility or obligation is to abstain from interrupting someone who is fully engaged in the worship of their Lord.
Place the Quran in your right hand.
The right hand is the preferred one to use while holding the Quran. To be given the attention it deserves. When there was potential for damage or filth, as while using the restroom, our Prophet (PBUH) would switch to using his left hand and learn the Quran using tajweed online by holding his mobile device in his right hand.
The blessed ‘Aa’ishah (may ALLAH be pleased with her) said:
The Prophet SAW (may ALLAH exalt the mention of his name) favored using his right hand or right side (instead of his left) to begin tasks like putting on shoes, combing hair, applying perfume, and any other job. (Al-Bukhari and Muslims)
As the Quran is the most deserving of our respect, the remark illustrates that we should use our right hand while performing acts of honor.
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