What is the Basis for the Ten Modes of Recitation of the Qur’an?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Assalamu alaykum,
The qur’an was revealed in 7 ahruf. During the reign of Uthman it was reduced to one. So from where did the different modes of recitation came? Even if the modes weren’t reduced it should have been 7 not 10. From where did the 3 others came? Can you suggest me any book regarding this?
Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
(1) The seven mass transmitted (mutawatir) modes of recitation are divinely revealed.
(2) The other three you are referring to are the famous (mashhur) modes of recitation.
I’d highly recommend (1) The History of the Qur’anic Text by Sh. Muhammad Mustafa al-Azami, and (2) An Approach to Qur’anic Sciences by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani.
And please also see: Differences Between the Canonical Recitations of Qur’an and: The Compilation of the Qur’an and Why `Uthman Ordered That Some Copies Be Burned
And Allah alone gives success.
wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.