When Contestants Use Rare Riwayah — What Judges Should Know

Quran recitation competitions are distinguished not only by their spiritual and communal value but also by the immense care taken to judge participants with fairness and accuracy. Typically, most contestants recite using the well-known and largest school of transmission: Hafs ‘an ‘Asim. However, in recent years, a growing number of contestants have begun using alternative forms of Quranic recitation — known as rare or lesser-known riwayah — adding complexity to the adjudication process. This trend calls for judges and organisers to develop a clear understanding of what these forms entail and how to evaluate them correctly.

This article provides an in-depth explanation of rare riwayah in Quran recitation, the implications of their use in competitions, and the considerations judges must bear in mind when evaluating such contestants.

Understanding Riwayah in Quranic Recitation

In the discipline of Quranic recitation (qira’at), a riwayah refers to a narrated method or version of reciting the Quran, passed down through a recognised chain of transmission. Each riwayah stems from one of the ten canonical qira’at — the authorised methods recognised by the scholarly tradition — and is transmitted through renowned narrators (rawi).

For example:

• Hafs ‘an ‘Asim — the most widely used riwayah in the Muslim world today.
• Warsh ‘an Nafi‘ — common in North and West Africa.
• Qalun ‘an Nafi‘ — frequently heard in Libya and parts of Tunisia.
• Ad-Duri ‘an Abu ‘Amr — still found in some East African and Sudanese reciters.

There are ten accepted qira’at in traditional Islamic scholarship, and most have two recognised riwayah attached to each. While all are equally valid and based on authentic transmission, not all are equally common globally, which leads to some being considered “rare” in certain contexts — particularly in competitions where judges are unfamiliar with them.

Why Contestants Might Use Rare Riwayah

There are various reasons a contestant may choose to recite in a rare riwayah during a Quran competition:

• Regional Prescription or Training: In some countries or local traditions, rare riwayah may still be taught and memorised as the principal form of recitation.
• Scholarly Mastery: Advanced students of Quran often study multiple qira’at, and presenting a rare riwayah in competition may reflect the contestant’s scholarly depth.
• Artistic Value: Some riwayah contain melodic or phonetic distinctions that make them attractive to the trained ear in the right context.
• Institutional Goals: Islamic universities, madrasahs, or institutes may have their own preference or encouragement toward preserving lesser-known riwayah.

In reality, the use of a rare riwayah is not about novelty but orthodoxy. Each valid riwayah forms part of the rich, multilayered heritage of Quranic recitation, and when transmitted correctly, it deserves equal recognition in terms of authenticity and legality in competition.

Challenges Judges May Face

Despite their legitimacy, rare riwayah introduce challenges for competition judges, particularly if they are unfamiliar with the mechanics and validation criteria of each riwayah. Here are some common difficulties that can arise:

1. Verification of Accuracy

When a contestant uses a rare recitation, it may be difficult to determine whether they have made mistakes if the judge is unfamiliar with that riwayah’s exact rules. For example, pronunciation of specific letters or grammatical structures might differ from Hafs, but still be wholly correct according to the chosen riwayah.

2. Unfamiliar Rules of Tajweed

The application of tajweed (rules governing pronunciation during recitation) varies slightly between the riwayah. For example, elongation rules, assimilation (idgham), and nasalisation (ghunnah) may operate differently in Warsh compared to Hafs. A judge who is unaware of these differences risks marking a correct recitation as erroneous.

3. Potential Disparity in Memorisation Standards

In competitions focused on hifz (memorisation), matching the recitation precisely to the unique wording and phonetics of a specific riwayah is essential. A contestant’s confident delivery in an unfamiliar riwayah might appear inaccurate unless the judge has the correct reference.

Hence, when rare riwayah are used, judges must have systems in place to ensure both fairness and technical confidence in their assessment.

What Judges Should Know and Do

To ensure fairness and competence in judging rare riwayah, competition organisers and adjudicators can adopt the following practices:

1. Require Advance Declaration of Riwayah

Contestants should be required to declare their chosen riwayah ahead of the competition. This enables organisers to prepare adequately — whether by assigning trained judges to those participants or accessing reliable texts and documentation for that riwayah. Transparent systems reduce off-the-cuff decision-making and lower the risk of misjudgement.

2. Refer to Authoritative Mushaf Editions

Several editions of the Quran exist, tailored to specific riwayah. Judges should have access to the correct mushaf edition — for example:

• Warsh: The ‘Mushaf al-Qira’at al-‘Ashr’ or North African prints.
• Qalun: Mushaf copies widely printed in Libya.
• Ad-Duri ‘an Abu ‘Amr: Available in heritage-based publications or digital apps with reliable isnad data.

This ensures that recitation is checked against an accepted textual version rather than one based solely on Hafs, which would misrepresent the participant’s effort.

3. Appoint Specialist Judges or Advisors

Where possible, a judge well-versed in non-Hafs riwayah should be part of the judging panel or available as a reference. Alternatively, competitions can appoint an advisor to assist with verifying recitations that fall outside standard knowledge. Cross-verification is preferable to penalising a contestant wrongly.

4. Keep a Reference Guide of Common Riwayah Differences

A quick reference guide listing the most noticeable differences in wording, recitation rules, and tajweed expectations across the commonly-used riwayah can serve as a practical tool. Some of these differences include:

• Use of synonyms (e.g., “maliki” vs “maaliki” in Surah Al-Fatihah).
• Differences in verb conjugation or plural forms.
• Subtle shifts in vowel length or assimilation.

With training, many of these distinctions become easy to spot and document with confidence across recitations.

5. Emphasise Knowledge over Uniformity

The metric of a good judge lies not in adherence to a single standard but in their ability to navigate justified variation while upholding accuracy. Judges must remain committed to evaluating contestants based on what is right according to accepted tradition — not what is familiar or widely used. This aligns with the inclusive and richly preserved Islamic heritage of Quranic recitation.

6. Create a Clear Dispute Resolution Process

Misunderstandings or misjudgements can occur, especially in the context of rare riwayah. If a judge raises a potential mistake that the contestant disputes, particularly on grounds of riwayah, a technical review panel or scholar should be available to verify the issue using reference texts or oral tradition evidence. Flexibility to reassess decisions in such cases helps foster trust and credibility in the competition’s integrity.

Conclusion

The rising visibility of rare riwayah in Quran competitions presents an opportunity rather than an obstacle. It highlights the diversity and resilience of Islamic oral tradition while pushing communities to acknowledge the full spectrum of valid recitation methods. Judges, therefore, carry a responsibility not just to correct errors but to recognise correct alternatives. With structured preparation, informed adjudicators and transparent protocols, competitions can both celebrate and accurately assess all legitimate forms of recitation.

Ultimately, the integrity of a Quran competition lies in its ability to uphold the standards of the sacred text — without bias, assumption, or error. Embracing rare riwayah as authentic expressions enriches the spiritual and intellectual culture of these events, and reminds all involved of the depth of knowledge preserved through the noble tradition of Quranic transmission.

If you need help with your Quran competition platform or marking tools, email info@qurancompetitions.tech.