UK Muslim communities include families from North Africa who recite in Warsh. Children who hear it may think someone is reading “wrong”. They aren’t.
What are qira’at?
The Quran was revealed with several authentic modes of recitation. Scholars preserved them through chains of teachers back to the Prophet ﷺ. Hafs and Warsh are two of these transmissions.
Where they are used
| Recitation | Commonly used in |
|---|---|
| Hafs ’an ’Asim | Most of the Muslim world, including South Asia, the Middle East and the UK |
| Warsh ’an Nafi’ | Morocco, Algeria and parts of West Africa |
| Qalun ’an Nafi’ | Libya and parts of Tunisia |
Examples of differences
- Al-Fatihah: Hafs مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ, Warsh مَلِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. Both are correct.
- Some madd lengths and how certain hamzahs are pronounced.
- The Mushaf for Warsh looks slightly different, with different dot positions for ف and ق.
What to tell your child
“That’s another correct way to recite, taught by the Prophet ﷺ. We learn the Hafs way, and our friends learn the Warsh way. Both are the Quran.”
Stick to one
Mixing recitations causes confusion, especially in Hifz. Learn one thoroughly. Advanced students can study other qira’at later with a qualified teacher.
Teacher’s tip: when children learn that the Quran has been preserved in several authentic recitations, it often strengthens their wonder at how carefully it has been protected.
Related: What is an ijazah?
