Ulum al Qur'an
Other Views
Later on other views emerged, making ten or fourteen well-known readings. In addition to the seven above, the following make up the ten and the fourteen readers:
| Place | Reader | Transmitter |
|
Abu Ja'far (130/747) | |
|
Ya'qub (205/820) | |
|
Khalaf (229/843) | |
|
Hasan al Basri (110/728) | |
|
Ibn Muhaisin (123/740) | |
|
Yahya al-Yazidi (202/817) | |
|
al-A'mash (148/765) |
The readings are also divided as follows: [Suyuti, Itqan, I, p 77]
The mutawatir (transmitted by many; they include the seven well-known readings).
The ahad (transmitted by one; they number three, going back to the sahaba and together with the seven make up the ten).
The shadh (exceptional; they go back to the tabi'un only).
Muslim scholars have laid down three criteria for the acceptance of any qira'a and three criteria for preferring some over others. The best transmission was of course mutawatir. The three criteria for acceptance of other readings are:
Correctness according to Arabic grammar.
Agreement with the written text of 'Uthman.
Traced back reliably to the Prophet.
The three criteria for preference are:
Correctness according to Arabic grammar.
Agreement with the written text of 'Uthman.
Reported/preferred by many (majority).