QuranHub · Online Quran Academy
What Is Qiraat? The Ten Readings of the Quran Explained
By Nazeer AhmadFounder, QuranHub Online Quran AcademyM.A. Arabic & IslamiyatDars-e-Nizami (Tanzeem-ul-Madaris)10+ years teaching Quran and Islamic studies
You may have heard a reciter pronounce a word slightly differently from the way you learned it — and wondered if one of you was wrong. Often, neither is: the Quran was revealed in more than one authentic reading, and those readings — Qiraat — have been passed down, teacher to student, in unbroken chains for fourteen centuries.
This guide explains what Qiraat are, what the ten readings are, and who should study them — and it is honest about who should not start yet.
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What Qiraat means
Qiraat are the different authentic ways of reciting the Quran, transmitted from the Prophet (peace be upon him) through his Companions and their students. The Quran is one — but in a small number of places, the authentic transmission carries more than one reading: a different vowel, a different pronunciation, sometimes a different word with the same meaning. All of them are authentic, and all of them were recited by the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself.
Learning Qiraat is not about correcting the Quran. It is about learning the full richness of how it was revealed — and it is a serious, advanced study, not a beginner's subject.
Hafs 'an 'Aasim — the reading most of the world uses
Of the ten readings, one dominates the Muslim world today: Hafs 'an 'Aasim — the reading of Imam Hafs, transmitted from Imam 'Aasim. It is the reading in almost every printed Mushaf, the reading most Muslims learn first, and the reading our standard Tajweed course follows. If you are learning Tajweed with us, you are learning Hafs 'an 'Aasim.
The other readings are not wrong — they are simply less widely used today. Most students never need them. Those who do are usually advanced readers, Huffaz, or teachers.
The ten readings
The ten canonical readings are named after the master reciters who transmitted them. Each has its own chain back to the Prophet (peace be upon him).
- Nafi' — Madinah
- Ibn Kathir — Makkah
- Abu 'Amr — Basra
- Ibn 'Amir — Damascus
- 'Aasim — Kufa (the reading of Hafs, the most widely recited today)
- Hamzah — Kufa
- Al-Kisa'i — Kufa
- Abu Ja'far — Madinah
- Ya'qub — Basra
- Khalaf — Kufa
Who should study Qiraat
Qiraat is for fluent readers with strong Tajweed — usually Huffaz or advanced students who have already mastered Hafs 'an 'Aasim. It is a long, serious study: each reading has its own rules, and they must be learned one at a time, with a teacher who holds an Ijazah in that reading.
If you are still working on fluent reading or basic Tajweed, Qiraat is not your next step — Tajweed is. Your teacher will tell you honestly when you are ready.
How it connects to Ijazah
Advanced students can pursue other Qira'at through our Ijazah program — the same program where Huffaz earn certification in recitation with a chain of transmission. We do not promise an Ijazah in Qiraat on enrolment: your teacher assesses your readiness first, and the Ijazah itself is earned by reciting the full Quran to your teacher with the rules of that reading applied throughout.
How to start
Message us on WhatsApp (+1 917 722 5120) and tell us your reading level and your goal. Your tutor assesses you in the free trial — 3 real classes, no credit card — and tells you honestly whether Qiraat is your next step, or whether Tajweed or Hifz should come first.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Qiraat and Tajweed?+
Tajweed is the set of rules for correct recitation — how to pronounce every letter and apply the rules of elongation, merging, and stopping. Qiraat are the different authentic readings themselves. You learn Tajweed first, in the reading of Hafs 'an 'Aasim; Qiraat comes later, for advanced students.
Is Hafs 'an 'Aasim the only correct reading?+
No. All ten readings are authentic and trace back to the Prophet (peace be upon him) through unbroken chains. Hafs 'an 'Aasim is simply the most widely recited one today, so it is where most students start.
Do I need to be a Hafiz to study Qiraat?+
Not necessarily, but you do need fluent reading and strong Tajweed. Most Qiraat students are already Huffaz or advanced readers — your teacher will assess your level honestly in the trial.
Can I learn Qiraat online?+
Yes — Qiraat has always been taught teacher-to-student, voice-to-voice, and a live 1-on-1 video class preserves exactly that. Your teacher listens to every verse and corrects the rules of the reading as you go.
How long does it take?+
Learning one additional reading properly takes many months of regular classes, and the full ten readings take years. It is a serious commitment — which is why your teacher assesses your readiness before you begin.
What does it cost?+
The same plans as all our classes: $25/month (2 classes/week), $35 (3/week), or $55 (5/week). The 3-day trial is free.