I heard Hisham bin Hakim bin Hizam reciting Surat-al-Furqan in a way different to that of mine. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had taught it to me (in a different way). So, I was about to quarrel with him (during the prayer) but I waited till he finished, then I tied his garment round his neck and seized him by it and brought him to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said, "I have heard him reciting Surat-al-Furqan in a way different to the way you taught it to me." The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered me to release him and asked Hisham to recite it. When he recited it, Allah s Apostle said, "It was revealed in this way." He then asked me to recite it. When I recited it, he said, "It was revealed in this way. The Qur'an has been revealed in seven different ways, so recite it in the way that is easier for you."
The Incident of Variant Recitations
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (2419) demonstrates the divine wisdom in permitting multiple authentic recitations (qira'at) of the Qur'an. When two companions differed in their recitation of Surah al-Furqan, the Prophet (ﷺ) validated both versions as divinely revealed.
Scholarly Commentary on the Seven Ahruf
The "seven ways" (sab'atu ahruf) mentioned refer to variations in pronunciation, dialect, and wording that Allah permitted to facilitate recitation for different Arab tribes. This divine concession demonstrates the mercy and practicality of Islamic legislation.
Imam Ibn al-Jazari explains that these variations preserve the Qur'an's essence while accommodating natural linguistic diversity. The condition remains that all authentic recitations must trace back to the Prophet through reliable chains of transmission.
Legal and Theological Implications
This hadith establishes the permissibility of following any of the authenticated recitations. The Prophet's instruction to "recite it in the way that is easier for you" indicates that the variations are equally valid and Muslims need not restrict themselves to one specific version.
Scholars emphasize that these are not different Qur'ans but variations within the one preserved text, all equally divine in origin. This principle protects against sectarianism regarding recitation styles while maintaining textual integrity.
Contemporary Application
Today, the ten authenticated recitations continue to be preserved and taught worldwide. This plurality represents the living tradition of Qur'anic recitation, demonstrating both the flexibility and preservation of Islamic scripture across centuries.