Imale in the readings of Hamza, Kisâî and Khalaf: The example of Surahs Naba and Nas

The Qur'ān, a miraculous scripture sent by Allah to all rational beings, has reached us from the Prophet Muhammad through various forms of recitation. The classification and codification of sciences, along with the recording of different recitations known as the seven or ten readings, have facilitated the transmission of this sublime speech both in written and oral forms across generations. This study focuses on the Imala frequently used in the recitations classified within the 'Asharah Qirā'āh by prominent reciters Hamza, Kisāʾī, and Khalaf. Imāla, a significant concept in the science of Qur'ānic recitation, refers to the modification of the pronunciation of specific letters in Arabic, often seen in many verses and crucial in reading the Qur'ān. The aim of the research is to examine the Imāla method, which manifests as the inclination of the letter 'alif' towards the letter 'ya' or the shift from 'fathah' to 'kasrah', in the context of the recitations of Hamza, Kisāʾī, and Khalaf, and to illustrate its application between Surahs An-Naba and An-Nās.Moreover, this study aims to investigate the Imāla readings frequently encountered in Surahs such as Tāhā, Najm, A'lā, Shams, Layl, and Dhuhā, presenting the different approaches in the science of recitation and outlining the conceptual framework of Imāla reading. Within this context, the study includes an examination of the role and significance of Imāla reading in Qur'ānic recitation, analyzing the approaches of the recitation Imāms who use Imāla in the 'Asharah Qirā'āh tradition. Specifically, the recitation methodologies and Imāla techniques of prominent Imāms, such as Imām Hamza (ranked sixth in the Mutawātir recitation classification), Imām Kisāʾī (ranked seventh), and Imām Khalaf (ranked tenth in the famous recitation classification), are discussed in detail concerning their application of Imāla between Surahs An-Naba and An-Nās. As a methodology, this study conducts a literature review on the Imāla readings from both transmitted and methodological perspectives, analyzing various recitation differences and the Imala method in the science of recitation. Additionally, it provides examples of the practical applications of Imāla in Qur'ānic recitation, emphasizing the meaning and significance of these readings and contributing to the science and practices of recitation. Keywords: Science of Qirā'āt, Qirā'āt Differences, Qur'ān, Imāla, Hamza, Kisā'ī, Khalaf.