How can the revelation of the Qur’an in seven forms be reconciled with the existence of ten currently authentic readings? What is the origin of the additional and anomalous readings? And how can the verse of ablution (wudu’) accommodate two readings (with nasb and with kasr), which result in two different legal rulings, one of which contradicts the action of the Messenger, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him?

Scholars have differed regarding the meaning of the seven ahruf (readings/modes) with approximately 35 opinions. The most accurate view is that they refer to seven languages or dialects, and not the seven mutawatir (concurrently transmitted) qira'at (recitations). The conditions for accepting a qira'ah are: its conformity to the Arabic language, its conformity to the Uthmani script of the Mushaf, and the authenticity of its sanad (chain of transmission). Any qira'ah that fulfills these conditions is considered sound and must be accepted, whether it originated from the seven Imams, or the ten, or other accepted Imams. Any qira'ah that lacks one of these pillars is considered weak, shadh (anomalous), or batil (false).