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Why are codices not recited or printed according to the recitation of Ibn Mas'ud, especially since there is a hadith stating that whoever wishes to recite the Qur'an freshly as it was revealed should recite it according to the recitation of Ibn Umm Abd, and given that there are some differences between it and our recitation?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The hadith referred to was narrated by Ahmad and Ibn Majah and authenticated by Al-Albani. What is meant by Ibn Mas'ud's recitation is either his method and manner of recitation, or the verses he heard from the Prophet. Al-Qurtubi said: "He used to recite according to the first dialect in which the Qur'an was revealed." Ibn Mas'ud is one of the most distinguished Companions and reciters of the Qur'an, but much of his recitation was abrogated during the final review of the Qur'an in the year of the Prophet's passing, which was then agreed upon by the Companions and compiled in the Uthmanic Mushaf. What Ibn Mas'ud's recitation differed in from the consensus of the majority is considered shadhdh (anomalous) and is not permissible to recite with, due to its lack of tawatur (consecutive transmission) and its abrogation. The example given of the surah being "muhdathah" (newly made) instead of "muhkamah" (firm/clear) illustrates the difference in meaning. It is not permissible to print masa'if with anomalous recitations; rather, they must meet the criteria of tawatur, conformity with the Companions' script, and being in accordance with one of the accepted Arabic linguistic forms.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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