Reasons of spreading Hafs’ Narration ‘an ’Asim in the Islamic world

Abstract

This article aims to identify the core reasons resulting in spreading Hafs’ narration ‘an A’sim, its adoption by people and the recession of all recognized and accredited Readings which lasted for seven centuries or so. This study employs the descriptive approach. It is divided into an introduction and three sections: Section 1 tackles Hafs’ life and foundation of his narration. Section 2 clarifies the areas distinguishing Hafs in terms of Reading, option and guidance, addressing two issues: what distinguishes him in Surat Al Imran to Surat Al-Kahf, and in Surat Al-Kahf to Surat an-nas. Section 3  tackles the real rationales behind the prevalence of Hafs’ Reading in the Islamic world. The study thus concludes that Hafs has been distinguished from other readers in terms of optionality, following suit his Sheikh A’sim’s doctrine. Printing and broadcasting are of the most important and modern means that contribute to the prevalence of Hafs ‘an ‘Asim’s reading.