Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs has launched a specialized Quranic encyclopedia titled "Encyclopedia of Quranic Readings and Sciences" on the Islamweb website, a significant step that enhances the presence of Quranic sciences in the digital sphere.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Ministry revealed that the encyclopedia was prepared, compiled, and arranged by Sheikh Ahmed Issa Al Masrawi, the former Grand Sheikh of Egyptian Quran Reciters.
It serves as a comprehensive scholarly reference, presenting this precise Quranic science in a contemporary and systematic manner, catering to the needs of researchers, students, and those interested in the Holy Quran at all levels.
It explained that the encyclopedia stems from the established scientific fact that the variant readings of the Quran are multiple, authentically transmitted methods of pronouncing the words of the Holy Quran, transmitted from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through sound chains of narration.
Scholars have unanimously agreed upon their principles and rules, considering all these authentic readings valid for recitation and worship, as established in authoritative books on Quranic readings.
The encyclopedia aims to simplify the scientific material for beginners without depriving specialists of the necessary depth of knowledge. It combines narration and critical analysis within a balanced framework, compiling, classifying, and presenting this knowledge in a structured digital format that facilitates access and makes it more accessible without compromising its rigorous academic integrity.
The Encyclopedia of Quranic Readings and its Sciences relies on precise scientific methodologies, drawing upon the accumulated expertise of scholars of Quranic readings, most notably Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Issa Al Masrawi, whose extensive scholarly experience has enriched the encyclopedia's content and refined its scientific methodology.
The encyclopedia aims to provide reliable material that combines authenticity and methodology, presenting the science of Quranic readings comprehensively.
It begins by introducing the imams of the ten canonical readings, their narrators, and their unbroken chains of transmission.
It then proceeds to explain the principles and variations, clarify the methods of transmission, and address major scholarly issues related to the readings, such as the differences between the seven modes of recitation and the canonical readings, as well as the most widely circulated transmissions in the Islamic world.
The encyclopedia also aims to simplify and make the science of Quranic readings more accessible, enabling students and educational institutions to access reliable scholarly content in one place.
This contributes to the preservation and digital documentation of Islamic Quranic heritage, while simultaneously keeping pace with the rapid digital transformation in knowledge dissemination.
Furthermore, it serves as an open educational platform that can support academic study, Quran memorization circles, and specialized scientific research.
The encyclopedia covers a wide range of topics within this field, addressing methods of recitation, chains of transmission (isnad) of narration, rules of Tajweed (rules of Quranic recitation), and legitimate differences between the various readings.
It also includes explanations of authoritative texts on Quranic readings, such as Ash-Shatibiyyah, Ad-Durrah, and At-Tayyibah, along with scholarly documentation of the references and principles upon which this art has been based throughout the centuries.
The Encyclopedia of Quranic Readings and its Sciences has been praised by a number of officials and those interested in Quranic sciences, who consider this work a valuable addition to Quranic content on the internet and an important contribution to stimulating scientific research in the field of Quranic readings, making this precise science accessible in an organized and user-friendly manner to both the general public and specialists.
