QurAoanic Readings andA QiST: Journal of Quran and Tafseer Studies ISSN (Onlin.
: 2828-2779 Received: 01-11-2025.
Revised: 15-12-2025 Accepted: 15-01-2026.
Published: 02-02-2026 DOI: https://doi.
org/10.
23917/qist.
QurAoanic Readings and Modern Arabic Dialects: A Descriptive-Comparative Linguistic Study Rushdi Al-Sabahi1.
Mariam Elbanna2.
Ainur Rhain3 Abstract This study aims to explore the phonological relationship between QurAoanic readings .
irAA.
and modern Arabic dialects by examining how variations in the recitations reflect the diversity of Arabic pronunciation from the early Islamic period to the present.
Grounded in historical linguistics and sociolinguistic theory, the research views the qirAAt as linguistic evidence of early Arabic dialectal diversity and as a foundation for understanding the development of spoken Arabic.
It draws upon classical works such as Ibn MujAhidAos Al-Sabah f al-QirAAt and Ibn al-JazarAos Al-Nashr f al-QirAAt al-Ashr, alongside the contributions of modern linguists such as Tammam Hassan and Ahmed Mukhtar Omar, who have highlighted the linguistic significance of the qirAAt, noting that few studies have directly compared these phonological features with those of contemporary Employing a descriptive, analytical, and comparative linguistic approach, the study examines phonetic phenomena such as imAlah .
owel frontin.
, tashl al-hamz .
lottal easin.
, idghAm .
, and ibdAl .
across QurAoanic readings and modern dialects.
The findings reveal direct correspondences between certain phonetic traits in present-day dialectsAisuch as the softening of the glottal stop and vowel frontingAiand patterns documented in the qirAAt.
This connection underscores the historical continuity of the Arabic language and provides valuable linguistic insights for QurAoanic and phonological studies.
The novelty of this research lies in its unique integration of QurAoanic phonology and modern dialectology, demonstrating that the qirAAt preserve ancient dialectal features that remain alive in contemporary spoken Arabic.
Keywords: QurAoanic readings.
Arabic dialects.
Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta/Taiz University.
Taiz.
Yemen.
Corresponding Email:
g108240027@student.
Tanta University.
Gharbia Governorate.
Egypt.
Email: mariam.
30917745@f-law.
Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta.
Surakarta.
Indonesia.
Email: ar175@ums.
QiST: Journal of Quran and Tafseer Studies.
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Rushdi Al-Sabahi.
Mariam Elbanna.
Ainur Rhain Introduction The QurAoan stands as the central text of Islam and the most influential linguistic monument in the history of the Arabic language.
Among its many dimensions, the phenomenon of QurAoanic readings .
irAA.
represents one of the clearest manifestations of its linguistic and phonetic miracle .
These readings are not simply alternative modes of recitation but are deeply rooted in the linguistic diversity of the Arabs during the period of revelation.
They reflect a wide spectrum of dialectal variations that existed among the Arab tribes of the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century CE, demonstrating the remarkable adaptability and inclusivity of the QurAoanic message .
The QurAoan was revealed in a clear Arabic tongue .
isAn arab mub.
, but it was not restricted to the dialect of Quraysh alone.
Instead, it incorporated linguistic features drawn from the dialects of other major tribes, such as Tamm.
Asad.
Hudhayl, and Qays.
Each of these tribes had its own phonetic tendencies, patterns of articulation, and morphological habits .
The QurAoanAos accommodation of these differences through multiple canonical readings reflects divine wisdom in preserving the unity of the message while acknowledging linguistic diversity.
This pluralism in pronunciation and expression did not alter the meanings of the verses.
rather, it enriched them and affirmed the flexibility and depth of the Arabic language .
The study of qirAAt therefore provides scholars with an exceptional window into the linguistic reality of early Arabic.
Each reading preserves authentic phonetic and dialectal traits that were prevalent among the Arabs during the first century of Islam .
Features such as imAlah .
he fronting of the vowel /a/ toward /i/), tashl al-hamz .
he softening of the glottal stop /i/), idghAm .
he assimilation of adjacent consonant.
, and ibdAl .
he substitution of one sound for anothe.
reveal the variety of spoken Arabic during the ProphetAos These phenomena are well-documented in both QurAoanic recitations and pre-Islamic poetry, which together form the earliest records of Arabic phonology .
Moreover, many of these phonetic characteristics have not disappeared.
they continue to exist, often unconsciously, within the modern dialects spoken throughout the Arab world .
For instance, the tendency to simplify or omit the glottal stopAione of the most prominent features in WarshAos readingAican still be heard in Egyptian and Levantine Arabic, where saala (Auhe askedA.
becomes sAla, and mumin (AubelieverA.
becomes mmin.
Similarly, the phenomenon of imAlah, frequently used by reciters such as Hamzah and al-KisA, appears in Maghrebi Arabic, where the vowel /a/ often shifts toward /i/, as in qAl being pronounced QiST: Journal of Quran and Tafseer Studies.
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QurAoanic Readings andA closer to ql.
These correspondences suggest that the QurAoanic readings preserved genuine linguistic realities that later evolved naturally into modern dialects .
Consequently, the qirAAt are not merely religious traditions or ritual they constitute a living linguistic archive that connects the Arabic of the revelation period with that of today .
They provide evidence that Arabic, while undergoing significant change across time and geography, has maintained deep structural and phonetic continuity.
Through this continuity, the QurAoan serves not only as a sacred text but also as a linguistic record, documenting the state of Arabic in its earliest stages .
The present study aims to analyze this relationship systematically by exploring how QurAoanic readings reflect the dialectal diversity of early Arabic and how they correspond to features in modern dialects.
Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions: To what extent do QurAoanic readings capture the dialectal variations of the Arabs at the time of revelation? And how can these readings help explain similarities between ancient phonetic phenomena and those still found in contemporary Arabic dialects? This inquiry is particularly significant because it bridges two fields that are often studied separatelyAiUlm al-QurAn .
he sciences of the QurAoa.
and modern linguistics .
By combining the analytical rigor of phonology and historical linguistics with the authenticity of QurAoanic tradition, the study aims to demonstrate that the qirAAt provide not only spiritual insight but also scientific evidence of how language evolves, adapts, and preserves its identity across centuries .
Method The present study adopts a descriptiveAeanalytical and comparative linguistic methodology designed to examine the phonological and dialectal dimensions of QurAoanic readings .
irAA.
and their relationship with modern Arabic dialects.
The methodology aims to link traditional QurAoanic sciences with contemporary linguistic analysis, allowing for an integrated approach that respects the authenticity of transmitted readings while applying modern linguistic tools to interpret their patterns .
Research Design The research follows a qualitative analytical design.
Rather than relying on numerical data or statistical models, the study focuses on linguistic description, comparison, and interpretation.
It employs descriptive techniques to identify distinctive phonetic and linguistic features within canonical readings and then uses comparative analysis to trace these features across modern Arabic dialects .
QiST: Journal of Quran and Tafseer Studies.
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No.
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Rushdi Al-Sabahi.
Mariam Elbanna.
Ainur Rhain The descriptive component involves cataloging and analyzing linguistic phenomena such as imAlah .
owel frontin.
, tashl al-hamz .
lottal easin.
, idghAm .
onsonant assimilatio.
, and ibdAl .
The comparative component examines how these features appear, persist, or transform in modern dialects such as Egyptian.
Levantine.
Gulf, and Maghrebi Arabic .
Data Sources This study draws upon both classical and modern sources to ensure scholarly accuracy and analytical depth.
The classical sources provide authentic data on the QurAoanic readings and their dialectal characteristics, serving as a foundation for understanding the linguistic phenomena under investigation .
In contrast, modern linguistic studies contribute contemporary theoretical perspectives and analytical frameworks that support a deeper examination of these features.
Together, these sources establish a comprehensive basis for exploring the phonological relationship between QurAoanic recitations and modern Arabic dialects .
Analytical Procedures The analysis of this study follows a systematic sequence designed to ensure both linguistic precision and interpretative depth.
It begins with the identification of phonetic phenomena, in which each distinctive feature mentioned in classical qirAAt sources is carefully extracted and classified according to modern phonological terminology .
Following this, a descriptive analysis is conducted to provide detailed linguistic explanations of these phenomena, focusing on their articulatory characteristics, sound changes, and distribution across the canonical readings .
The next stage involves a comparative analysis, where the identified features are examined alongside contemporary dialectal data to reveal patterns of continuity, modification, or Finally, an interpretative correlation is established, connecting ancient and modern linguistic features within the broader framework of phonological evolution and sociolinguistic variation, thereby illustrating the enduring relationship between QurAoanic phonology and living Arabic speech .
Scope and Limitations The study focuses on the ten canonical QurAoanic readings transmitted through authentic isnAd chains and excludes irregular or weak readings.
The comparison is limited to phonological and phonetic features, leaving aside syntactic or morphological aspects that require separate treatment.
Moreover, while the study includes representative modern dialects (Egyptian.
Levantine.
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QurAoanic Readings andA Gulf, and Maghreb.
, it does not attempt a full dialectal survey due to the immense diversity within each region .
Ethical and Scholarly Considerations Given the sacred nature of the QurAoan, all references to qirAAt are made with strict adherence to the sources and without speculative reinterpretation.
The study aims to maintain academic rigor while upholding reverence for the QurAoanic text.
Citations follow standard scholarly practice, ensuring transparency and traceability .
Figure 1.
Methodology for Analyzing Qur'anic Phonetic Phenomena and Modern Arabic Dialect Result and Discussion QurAoanic Readings as a Reflection of Early Arabic Dialects The analysis of QurAoanic readings .
irAA.
reveals that the phonetic variations recorded among the canonical recitations are not arbitrary differences but deliberate reflections of the dialectal realities of early Arabia .
Each reading, transmitted through a continuous and authenticated chain, preserves distinctive phonetic traits that correspond to the speech patterns of specific Arab tribes during the time of revelation.
This finding confirms that the qirAAt serve as linguistic evidence of the diversity that characterized the Arabic language in the 7th century CE .
For instance, the feature of imAlahAithe tendency to shift the vowel /a/ toward /i/Aiappears frequently in the readings of Hamzah and al-KisA, particularly in words such as MsA and sA.
This phenomenon was well known among the tribes of Tamm and Asad and demonstrates that their dialectal speech was preserved within the QurAoanic text .
Similarly, tashl al-hamz, or the easing of the glottal stop, occurs in the reading of Warsh from NAfi, as in QiST: Journal of Quran and Tafseer Studies.
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Rushdi Al-Sabahi.
Mariam Elbanna.
Ainur Rhain muminn pronounced mminn.
This trait reflects the HijAz dialect, which favored smoother articulation and avoided heavy glottal sounds .
The phenomenon of idghAm .
, as in the reading of Ab Amr al-BarAiwhere qad tabayyana becomes qattabayyanaAiillustrates a widespread tendency among southern Arabian dialects to merge similar consonants for ease of pronunciation.
Likewise, ibdAl, or the substitution of one sound for another, appears in readings such as aimmah rendered as aymah, a feature also attested in pre-Islamic poetry .
These results demonstrate that the QurAoan, through its multiple readings, not only tolerated dialectal diversity but sanctified it within a unified and divinely preserved linguistic system.
Continuity of QurAoanic Phonetic Features in Modern Arabic Dialects A major outcome of this research is the clear continuity between the phonetic features found in QurAoanic readings and those existing in modern Arabic dialects.
Many of the same sound tendencies observed in the qirAAt are still active in the speech of millions of Arabic speakers today .
For example, the simplification of the glottal stop .
ashl al-ham.
remains evident in Egyptian Arabic, where saala (Auhe askedA.
is pronounced sAla and mumin (AubelieverA.
as mmin, identical to WarshAos reading pattern.
The imAlah phenomenon is widespread in North African dialects, where qAl (Auhe saidA.
sounds closer to ql due to vowel fronting .
Similarly, idghAm is a natural feature in the Gulf dialects, where qad talam becomes qattalam, following the same assimilation principles described by early grammarians.
Even ibdAl appears in Bedouin dialects, where interdental sounds are often replaced .
// Ie /t/), paralleling substitutions mentioned in classical readings .
These observations suggest that the QurAoanic readings have acted as a linguistic bridge between the Arabic of revelation and the Arabic of everyday communication .
Far from being obsolete, the phonetic systems of the qirAAt continue to influence the living language, confirming the historical depth and resilience of Arabic .
Linguistic and Sociolinguistic Implications From a phonological perspective, the qirAAt provide a precise record of the natural phonetic variation that occurs in all human languages.
The sound changes they reflectAisuch as vowel fronting, assimilation, and substitutionAiare consistent with universal principles of phonological evolution.
Thus, the QurAoanic readings preserve not only the linguistic diversity of Arabic but also patterns that align with modern theories of sound change .
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QurAoanic Readings andA From a sociolinguistic standpoint, the QurAoanic acceptance of multiple readings demonstrates a unique model of linguistic pluralism .
Unlike many linguistic communities that standardize one dialect at the expense of others, early Muslims preserved several dialectal forms within a single sacred text.
This inclusion fostered a collective linguistic identity among the Arabs, transcending tribal boundaries and reinforcing the idea that diversity can exist within unity .
Furthermore, this perspective helps explain the positive attitude toward phonetic diversity within Islamic civilization.
The existence of multiple canonical readings was not viewed as a flaw but as a sign of linguistic richness and divine This model contrasts with modern tendencies to stigmatize dialectal variation, offering an instructive precedent for contemporary language policy and education .
Pedagogical and Cultural Dimensions The pedagogical implications of these findings are significant.
Understanding the dialectal background of QurAoanic readings enables students of Arabic and QurAoanic sciences to appreciate the historical continuity of their Recognizing that features in modern dialectsAionce thought to be AuerrorsAy or AusimplificationsAyAiactually have ancient roots in the QurAoan itself can transform the way Arabic is taught and perceived .
Culturally, the results affirm the QurAoanAos role as a repository of Arab linguistic identity.
The qirAAt encapsulate voices from different tribes, preserving not just religious meaning but also the sound of Arab heritage .
The endurance of these phonetic patterns in modern speech underscores how language and faith have evolved together, maintaining an unbroken connection across fourteen centuries .
Interpretative Analysis The continuity illustrated in the table above supports the argument that QurAoanic phonological diversity is not an artificial construct but a direct reflection of the linguistic ecology of the Arabian Peninsula.
The preservation of these features in modern dialects underscores the historical authenticity of QurAoanic recitations as well as the stability of Arabic phonetic systems .
This finding also suggests that Arabic dialects did not diverge randomly after the Islamic era but evolved along natural and predictable phonetic pathways already evident in the qirAAt.
In this sense.
QurAoanic readings serve as linguistic fossils, offering a rare glimpse into the earliest forms of spoken Arabic .
QiST: Journal of Quran and Tafseer Studies.
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No.
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Rushdi Al-Sabahi.
Mariam Elbanna.
Ainur Rhain Moreover, the qirAAt demonstrate how variation and unity coexist harmoniously in language.
While each reading reflects a specific tribal pronunciation, all remain semantically identical, preserving the divine message without distortion.
This balance between variation and invariance is linguistically remarkable and mirrors the sociocultural cohesion that characterized the early Muslim community .
Summary of Findings The results of this study confirm that the QurAoanic readings are an indispensable linguistic archive documenting both the diversity and continuity of Arabic.
They embody a phonetic map connecting early tribal dialects to the regional varieties spoken today .
This interconnection provides strong evidence that Arabic has maintained remarkable structural stability despite centuries of geographical expansion and social change.
Ultimately, the qirAAt exemplify the QurAoanAos linguistic miracle: a sacred text capable of preserving human diversity within divine unity .
Table 1.
Summary of Major Findings and Discussion Points Focus Area Main Finding Implication Phonological QurAoanic features such as imAlah.
Demonstrates historical Continuity idghAm, and tashl al-hamz persist stability and unity of in modern dialects.
Arabic.
The qirAAt reflect tribal dialects Affirms divine inclusion of without altering QurAoanic dialectal variation.
Linguistic Diversity Sociolinguistic Variation in qirAAt represents Provides a model for Insight accepted linguistic pluralism.
respecting modern dialect Educational Teaching QurAoanic phonology Strengthens cultural and Application enriches Arabic linguistic studies.
linguistic identity.
Research Potential Comparative and acoustic studies Opens new can expand findings.
interdisciplinary research QiST: Journal of Quran and Tafseer Studies.
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QurAoanic Readings andA Conclusion This study concludes that QurAoanic readings .
irAA.
are not merely ritual variations but a linguistic repository that documents the phonetic and dialectal diversity of Arabic from the time of revelation to the present.
Through a descriptiveAecomparative analysis, it was shown that phenomena such as imAlah .
owel frontin.
, tashl al-hamz .
lottal easin.
, idghAm .
, and ibdAl .
reflect authentic tribal speech patterns that have continued, in modified form, in modern Arabic dialects.
The persistence of these featuresAi seen, for instance, in the simplification of the glottal stop in Egyptian Arabic or the vowel fronting in Maghrebi dialectsAidemonstrates a clear continuity between the sacred language of the QurAoan and the living speech of today.
From a linguistic perspective, the qirAAt provide valuable empirical data that support modern theories of phonological change, while from a sociolinguistic viewpoint, they embody an early model of linguistic pluralism that accepted diversity within unity.
Educationally and culturally, recognizing the dialectal roots of the qirAAt deepens appreciation for the historical depth and adaptability of Arabic.
Ultimately, the QurAoan emerges as both a divine message and a linguistic monumentAipreserving the sound of early Arabic and shaping its evolution across centuries.
This enduring relationship between revelation and language confirms that the qirAAt remain a bridge linking the eloquence of the past with the spoken realities of the present.
Author Contributions Rushdi Al-Sabahi: Conceptualization.
Methodology.
Writing Ae review & editing.
Supervision.
Project administration.
Ainur Rhain: Methodology.
Writing Ae review & editing.
Investigation.
Mariam Elbanna: review & editing.
Investigation.
Acknowledgement We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (Indonesi.
Taiz University (Yeme.
, and Tanta University (Egyp.
for their valuable support, collaboration, and academic contribution to the completion of this research.
Conflict of Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Funding This research did not receive any financial support.
QiST: Journal of Quran and Tafseer Studies.
Vol.
No.
1, 2026
Rushdi Al-Sabahi.
Mariam Elbanna.
Ainur Rhain
Bibliography