The School of Warsh in Reading of Qur'an

Abstract

After the Companions and their followers, a group has emerged among the Muslims, so famous in the art of reading Qur'an as to be considered as experts in this subject, for their life-long working on it. Of them, seven called "Seven Readers" have gained special recognition and fame. The Medinian Nafi' is one of these seven, whom readings many have narrated including the more celebrated Warsh and Qalun. The Scholars of Qur'an-reading have declared Warsh’s readings authoritative, which his reading is highly acknowledged in the west of Islamic world. In this article, therefore, we are to introduce his principles in reading and present his selections of readings. The significant features of Warsh’s readings are reciting meticulously (tahqiq), emphasizing on inflection (Imale) and long extensions (mad tawil) as well as the weakening of hamza (takhfif). Based on these characteristics, his readings are specified for his great concern for tajwid rules and not for the readings ending to the changing of words or meanings in Qur'an. Undoubtfully it is for these qualities that his readings have been so greatly appreciated by scholars of Qur'an-readings.

Keywords

• warsh
• the knowledge of quran-reading
• the variant readings of qur'an
• tajwid