I heard Hisham bin Al-Hakim reciting Surat Al-Furqan during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). I listened to his recitation and noticed that he recited it in several different ways which Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had not taught me. So I was about to jump over him during his Salat (prayer) but I waited till he finished his Salat (prayer) whereupon I put, either his upper garment or my upper garment around his neck and seized him by it and asked him, "Who has taught you this Surah?" He replied: "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) has taught it to me." I said (to him), "You have told a lie! By Allah, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) has taught me this Surah which I have heard you reciting." So I dragged him to the Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). I said: "O Allah's Messenger I have heard this man reciting Surat Al-Furqan in a way in which you have not taught me, and you did teach me Surah Al-Furqan." On that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "O 'Umar, release him! Recite, O Hisham". So Hisham recited before him in the way as I heard him reciting. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "It has been revealed like this." Then Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Recite, O 'Umar" So recited it. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "It has been revealed like this." And then he added, "This Qur'an has been revealed to be recited in seven different ways, so recite it whichever way is easier for you."
The Incident of Variant Recitations
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6936) demonstrates the divine wisdom behind the multiple authentic recitations (qira'at) of the Qur'an. When Umar ibn al-Khattab heard Hisham bin Al-Hakim reciting Surah Al-Furqan differently from what he had learned directly from the Prophet, his immediate reaction reflected his zeal to protect the purity of revelation.
Scholarly Commentary on the Seven Ahruf
The phrase "seven different ways" (sab'atu ahruf) refers to the various dialects and modes of recitation revealed to accommodate different Arab tribes. This divine concession facilitated the Qur'an's reception among various communities while preserving the essential meaning and message.
Classical scholars like Ibn al-Jazari and Al-Suyuti explain that these seven modes represent variations in pronunciation, grammatical forms, and wording—all divinely revealed and preserved through continuous transmission (tawatur).
Legal and Theological Implications
This hadith establishes the permissibility of reciting the Qur'an according to any of the authentic transmitted recitations. The Prophet's instruction to "recite it whichever way is easier for you" demonstrates the mercy and flexibility within Islamic tradition while maintaining textual integrity.
Scholars emphasize that all authentic qira'at are considered revelation (wahy) and equally valid for prayer and recitation. This plurality within unity reflects the miraculous nature of the Qur'an's preservation.