The Seven Readings of the Qur'an: A Critical Study of Their Linguistic Differences

Abstract

This thesis is intended as an attempt at a general investigation of the different linguistic features involved in the seven readings. It falls into eight chapters and a general conclusion. At the outset of the thesis, a list of the Arabic technical words is provided with their English equivalents. This is followed by a preface about the topic, its importance, the methods adopted in the thesis, and the main references. Chapter one gives the historical background of the Qur'an, its collection, its seven readings, and the seven readers. Chapter two deals with readings involving variations in siyagh, such as person, gender, number, tense, mood. etc. Index i provides a list of all readings involving siyagh variations . Chapter three deals with readings reflecting elements of lughat variation. Index ii provides a list of all readings involving lughat variations . Chapter four deals with readings involving nahw variation. Index iii provides a list of all readings involving nahw. Chapter five deals with readings involving some aspects of balagha. Index iv provides a list of all readings involving balagha. Chapter six deals with readings involving variations in nazm. Index v provides a list of all the nazm variations. Chapter seven deals with readings deriving from the different Uthmanic codices. Index vi provides a list of all the rasm al-mushaf variations. Chapter eight deals with readings involving variations in macna. Index vii provides a list of all readings involving differences in macna. The general conclusion at the end of the thesis covers all eight chapters