What Is Hafs ‘an ‘Asim? The Recitation Most Muslims Read

If you open a mushaf in the UK, USA or most of Europe, it almost certainly follows the recitation called Hafs ‘an ‘Asim. Here's what that means.

The qira'at in brief

The Quran has been transmitted through several authentic modes of recitation, known as qira'at. Scholars recognise ten canonical qira'at, each named after a master reciter, and each transmitted through two main narrators (rawi). The differences are mostly in pronunciation details and occasionally in vowelling — all are authentic.

Who were ‘Asim and Hafs?

• ‘Asim ibn Abi al-Najud was a renowned Quran teacher of Kufa in the early Islamic era.
• Hafs ibn Sulayman was his student, who transmitted ‘Asim's recitation.

"Hafs ‘an ‘Asim" therefore means "the recitation of ‘Asim, as narrated by Hafs".

Where it's used

Hafs ‘an ‘Asim is the most widespread recitation in the world today — across South Asia, most of the Middle East, Turkey, and Muslim communities in the West. In North and West Africa, Warsh ‘an Nafi‘ is common, and Qalun ‘an Nafi‘ is used in parts of Libya and Tunisia.

Which should you learn?

For almost all students in the UK, USA and Europe, Hafs is the natural choice: it matches the mushaf you'll find in mosques and bookshops, and most teachers teach it. Advanced students may later study other qira'at with an ijazah.

Does it affect Tajweed rules?

Yes, slightly — for example, the length of certain madds. The rules in our Tajweed guide follow Hafs.

Learn Hafs recitation one-to-one in our Tajweed course. Book a free trial lesson.