Ibn al-Najjār's work of kiraat named al-Ifhām and its place in the science of kiraat

This study aims to contribute to the scholarly heritage of Abu Bakr Taqiyyuddīn Muḥammad b. Aḥmad b. ʿAbdal-ʿAzīz al-Futūhī, who is famous with the noun al-Futūhī, by focusing on his scholarly position in the field of the science of qiraat and in particular his work al-Ifhām fī sharḥ bābi wa waqf al-Hamza wa Hishām. This work, which represents an important stage in the process of the compilation and organization of the Qiraat literature, is a systematic reflection of the classical Qiraat accumulation with its explanations on the waqf practices of the seven Qiraat imams. Ibn al-Najjār al-Futūhī carefully compiled and evaluated the accumulation of the previous masters of qiraat; however, he did not stop there and made original contributions to this accumulation by making comments and explanations where he deemed necessary. In this respect, the author emerges as one of the rare figures who managed to strike a balance between adherence to tradition and scholarly courage. In this study, the extant work al-Ifhām fī sharḥ bābi waqfi Hamza and Hishām attributed to Ibn al-Najjār al-Futūhī was evaluated within the framework of "content analysis" and "document analysis" methods. The author's methodology, the way he handled the issues, his scholarly approaches and methodological preferences were analyzed in detail; the contextual backgrounds of terms such as (قيل) and (قال), which are frequently used in the work, were examined and the views of the author were revealed. Although the previous critical edition of this work by Muhammad b. Ahmad b. Dāwūd is a valuable contribution to the textual edition of the work, this study goes beyond the existing edition and attempts to evaluate the place of the work in the literature of qiraat from a broader scholarly perspective. In this respect, the author's scholarly circle, the sources he utilized, and his influence on later scholars are discussed in detail; thus, not only a textual analysis is made, but also the place and contribution of the work in the classical science of qiraat is determined. This study aims to contribute to a gap in the field, especially since the classical period has not been sufficiently touched by the works of Qiraat. Ibn al-Najjār's work in question constitutes a genuine methodological example in terms of both theoretical discussions and practical applications. This work, which deals with the most important and subtle areas of qiraat such as waqf and hemza, is an important source in understanding the classical qiraat tradition in terms of both content and methodology. In conclusion, al-Ifhām fī sharḥ bābi wa wa waqf al-Hamza wa al-Hishām is a distinguished work that reflects the scholarly content of not only its author but also the ancient tradition of Qiraat. In this respect, it is valuable as both a historical ground and a methodological source for scholars who will conduct research in the field of qiraat. The aim of this study is to bring to light an important link in the classical qiraat accumulation, to contribute to the continuity of the tradition, and to provide a solid ground for future scholarly research.