What is the disagreement between the narration of Hafs and the narration of Qalun regarding considering (Alif, Lam, Mim) an ayah at the beginning of Surat Al-Baqarah?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The disagreement regarding the number of verses in Surat Al-Baqarah stems from the differing methods of counting verses. The printed Qur'ans according to the narration of Hafs from Asim count its verses as 286, considering "Alif, Lam, Mim" (الم) as an independent verse, and they follow the Kufan count. As for the printed Qur'ans according to the narration of Qalun or Warsh from Nafi', they count its verses as 285, and they do not count "Alif, Lam, Mim" (الم) as a verse. They follow the Medinan count, where their first verse ends at the Almighty's saying: "guidance for the righteous" (هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ).
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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