What are the Qirat?
The Quran was revealed in seven Ahruf (dialects/modes) to facilitate recitation for the various Arab tribes. These have been preserved through ten authentic Qira'at (recitations), each named after a famous Imam who standardized that particular mode of transmission.
Variations include different vowelings, pronunciations (like Imalah or Tasheel), and occasionally different words, all of which enrich the meaning without contradiction.
The 10 Imams and Their Rawayah
1. Nafi’ Al-MadaniNarrated by Qaloon & Warsh (Famous in North Africa)
2. Ibn Kathir Al-MakkiNarrated by Bazzi & Qunbul
3. Abu Amr Al-BasriNarrated by Ad-Duri & As-Susi
4. Ibn Amir Ad-DimashqiNarrated by Hisham & Ibn Dhakwan
5. Asim Al-KufiNarrated by Shu'bah & Hafs (Most common worldwide)
6. Hamzah Al-KufiNarrated by Khalaf & Khallad
7. Al-Kisa'iNarrated by Abu Al-Harith & Ad-Duri
8. Abu Ja'far Al-MadaniNarrated by Ibn Wardan & Ibn Jamaz
9. Ya'qub Al-HadramiNarrated by Ruways & Rawh
10. Khalaf Al-BazzarNarrated by Ishaq & Idris
Prerequisites
Enrollment in the 10 Qirat course requires perfect fluency in reading the Quran according to the narration of Hafs, and a solid understanding of basic Tajweed rules.