The Use of Irregular Readings as Evidence for Canonical Readings in Particular Instances in al-Durra al-Farida fi Sharḥ al-Qasida by al-Muntajib al-Hamadhani (d. 643 AH): From the Beginning of Surat Yunus to the End of Surat Maryam

Abstract

Abstract:

This study examines the use of irregular Qur’anic readings (qira’at shadhdha) as supporting evidence for canonical readings in particular instances (qira’at farshiyya mutawatira) in al-Durra al-Farida fi Sharh al-Qasida by al-Muntajib al-Hamadhani، covering the section from Surat Yunus to Surat Maryam. The research aims to demonstrate the strong interrelationship between canonical and irregular readings by compiling the irregular variants that al-Hamadhani employed to substantiate the canonical ones، and by clarifying the rationale behind his use of such evidence.

The study reached several findings، the most significant of which are:

1. 1. Al-Hamadhani cited eighteen irregular readings to support canonical farshiyya readings within the portion of the Qur’an under investigation.
2. 2. Irregular readings constitute one of the strongest forms of corroboration for canonical readings، meriting a secondary but significant status، since some carry the character of abrogated Qur’an while others resemble the method of argumentation through Qur’anic parallels.

Based on these results، the study recommends further work، including: completing the analysis of irregular readings as evidence for canonical farshiyya readings across the entirety of al-Durra al-Farida; collecting irregular readings attributed to individual Companions and dedicating separate studies to each; and compiling the additional types of evidentiary methods employed by al-Hamadhani in his commentary.