What are the rulings and extents of the muttaṣil and munfaṣil madd in the narration of Hafs from Asim, and is the difference among reciters regarding their measures considered a mistake?

Al-Madd Al-Mutassil (Connected Madd): All reciters agree on extending this madd, but they differ in its measure. Ibn al-Jazari, in "An-Nashr," classifies them into four categories based on the measure of the madd: six counts (harakat), five counts, four counts, and three counts. Some divide them into only two categories: the first being six counts, and the second ranging from four to five counts.

Al-Madd Al-Munfasil (Separated Madd): Some reciters read it with madd, while others read it with qasr (shortening). Among the seven (reciters), only 'Asim, Hamzah, Al-Kisa'i, Ibn 'Amir, and Warsh read it exclusively with madd. Qalun and Ad-Duri read it with both madd and qasr. As for Ibn Kathir and As-Susi, they read it with qasr exclusively. The narration of Hafs from 'Asim, through the way of "An-Nashr," allows for qasr, but the preferred reading for him is madd, ranging from four to five counts.

In conclusion, the measure of the madd must be taken orally from reciters, as knowing it theoretically or by counting the harakat is not sufficient. The differences among reciters in madd are not errors; rather, they are differences of variety and expansion, because all of them recited through continuous reception and transmission (mutawatir) from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.