11/37. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 941 — Seven Modes of Recitation
Collection of what was narrated concerning the Quran
Seven Modes of Quran Recitation Explained
Sunan an-Nasai : 941
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 941
أَخْبَرَنِي يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ حُمَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، عَنْ أُبَىٍّ، قَالَ مَا حَاكَ فِي صَدْرِي مُنْذُ أَسْلَمْتُ إِلاَّ أَنِّي قَرَأْتُ آيَةً وَقَرَأَهَا آخَرُ غَيْرَ قِرَاءَتِي فَقُلْتُ أَقْرَأَنِيهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم . وَقَالَ الآخَرُ أَقْرَأَنِيهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم . فَأَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقُلْتُ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ أَقْرَأْتَنِي آيَةَ كَذَا وَكَذَا قَالَ " نَعَمْ " . وَقَالَ الآخَرُ أَلَمْ تُقْرِئْنِي آيَةَ كَذَا وَكَذَا قَالَ " نَعَمْ إِنَّ جِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ عَلَيْهِمَا السَّلاَمُ أَتَيَانِي فَقَعَدَ جِبْرِيلُ عَنْ يَمِينِي وَمِيكَائِيلُ عَنْ يَسَارِي فَقَالَ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ اقْرَإِ الْقُرْآنَ عَلَى حَرْفٍ . قَالَ مِيكَائِيلُ اسْتَزِدْهُ اسْتَزِدْهُ حَتَّى بَلَغَ سَبْعَةَ أَحْرُفٍ فَكُلُّ حَرْفٍ شَافٍ كَافٍ " .
'Ubayy Narrated from:
I had no confusion in my mind from that time I embraced Islam, except when I recited a verse and another man recited it differently. I said: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught me this.' And the other man said: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught me too.' So I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: 'O Prophet of Allah, did you not teach me such and such a verse?' He said: 'Yes.'The other man said: 'Did you not teach me such and such a verse?' He said: 'Yes. Jibril and Mika'il, peace be upon them, came to me, and Jibril sat on my right and Mika'il on my left. Jibril, peace be upon him, said: "Recite the Quran with one way of recitation.' Mika'il said: 'Teach him more, teach him more- until there were seven modes of recitation, each of which is good and sound.'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 941In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 66English translation : Vol. 2, Book 11, Hadith 942
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 941
This Hadith about seven modes of Quran recitation shows how Ubayy felt troubled when he heard another man recite a verse differently from him. Both men had learned directly from the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, so Ubayy brought the matter to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم instead of arguing. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم confirmed that both readings had been taught by him. He then explained that Jibril and Mika'il came to him, and the recitation was increased until it reached seven modes. The key lesson is that the Quran was given with allowed ways of recitation, and each one mentioned in the Hadith is described as good and sound. The hadith teaches calm checking, respect for transmitted recitation, and trust in what the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم approved.
What we learn from this hadith
- Different accepted recitations should be checked with knowledge, not handled through argument.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم confirmed both readings when they were taught by him.
- The seven modes mentioned in the Hadith are described as good and sound.
- A believer may feel confusion, but should seek clear guidance from the Prophet’s teaching.
