The Prophet (ﷺ) was present at the pool of Banu Ghifar, Gabriel came to him and said: "Allah has commanded you to make your community read (the Qur'an) in one harf. He (the Prophet) said: 'I beg Allah His pardon and forgiveness; my community has not strength to do so'. He then came for the second time and told him the same thing till he reached up to seven harfs. Finally, he said: 'Allah has commanded you to make your community read (the Qur'an) in seven harfs; in whichever mode they read, that will be correct.
The Seven Ahruf: Divine Concession for Ease
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 1478 reveals Allah's profound mercy in facilitating Qur'anic recitation. The initial command for one harf (mode/reading) was elevated to seven through the Prophet's intercession, demonstrating how Allah responds to the pleas of His chosen messengers and considers the capabilities of their followers.
Scholarly Interpretation of Ahruf
Classical scholars like Ibn al-Jazari and Al-Suyuti explain the seven ahruf as variations in dialect, pronunciation, grammatical forms, and wording that preserve the same essential meaning. This divine accommodation allowed various Arab tribes to recite according to their linguistic conventions while maintaining textual integrity.
The condition "in whichever mode they read, that will be correct" establishes the orthodoxy of all authentic transmission chains. This prevented unnecessary division while preserving the Qur'an's miraculous nature across multiple authentic readings.
Prophetic Advocacy for the Ummah
The Prophet's repeated supplication "I beg Allah His pardon and forgiveness" exemplifies his role as the compassionate intercessor for his community. His concern for their capability demonstrates the Islamic principle of removing hardship (raf' al-haraj), which Allah acknowledges by granting this significant concession.
Practical Implications for Recitation
This hadith validates the various authentic qira'at (recitations) transmitted through reliable chains. It reminds Muslims that differences in recitation that conform to established rules are part of divine wisdom, not contradictions. The unity of the Ummah is maintained through acceptance of all authentic transmissions while adhering to proper tajweed rules.