Did the Companions (Sahabah) permit the recitation of the Qur'an with melodies?

No authentic narrations have been found from the Companions that permit reciting the Quran with melodies (alhan), but there are weak narrations to that effect. Some scholars have transmitted the permissibility of this from Companions and Tabi'un without a chain of narration (sanad), and their transmission has not been impugned.

Scholars have differed on the ruling of reciting with melodies: - Prohibition: Transmitted from Malik and the majority of scholars. - Dislike (Karahah): Chosen by some Malikis, Shafi'is, Hanbalis, and Hanafis. - Permissibility, even recommendation (Istihbab): Stated by Al-Shafi'i and transmitted by Al-Tahawi from the Hanafis.

A condition for the permissibility of reciting with melodies is that no letter should be altered from its proper articulation point (makhraj). If a letter changes, increases, or decreases, scholars are unanimous in deeming that prohibited.

In summary, beautifying one's voice when reciting the Quran is desirable. If one's voice is not beautiful, the reciter should beautify it as much as possible, while observing the rules of Tajweed. If the reciter combines a beautiful voice with observing correct performance, that is best.