كتاب السبعۃ فى القراءات از ابن مجاہد كا تعارف، منہج واسلوب وخصوصيات Kitab al-Sabaah fi al-Qiraat by Ibn Mujahid, (may God have mercy on him) Introduction, style and features. Section Islamic Literature

Abstract

That is, before Imam Ibn Mujahid 's Kitab al-Saba' came to public view, a large number of books on the Ilm ul Qiraat had been compiled. In the era when Imam Ibn Mujahid chose seven Qir'aats and limited the knowledge of Qura'at to them, the "Ilm ul Qur'aat" is very important. This selection and Qiraat represents a new phase in the history of "Ilm ul Qiraat".

In view of the importance of Imam Ibn Mujahid's "Kitab Al-Sabaa" in these Qiraat books, in this short article, the introduction, and style of this book have been clarified, what are the reasons for its superiority over other books and why it has been accepted by the mercy and grace of Allah. Also, Imam Ibn Mujahid, may Allah have mercy on him, has the status and virtue of priority in the selection of this subject in the "Ilm ul Qiraat".

This book is considered as the first source of "Ilm-i-Qiraat-e-Saba".

In which Imam Ibn Mujahid, may Allah have mercy on him, has made it clear that "Ilm-i-Qiraat" is based on hearing, and no Qiraat other than those quoted are permissible. In this book, the original sources and the strong, authentic Aasanid have been arranged and "Qi' rat of those imams" have been selected, on which the people of that region had agreed.

Imam Ibn Mujahid has also described the introduction of these imams of Qi' rat, and his own asaneeds (chain) on them. Differences in Qi' raat are explained in terms of the order of surahs in the Holy Qur'an. In some places, reasons and instructions for Qi'raat,  have also been presented. Apart from this, the principles of selection of Qurraa, the justification of diversity of Qi' raat, Types of holders of the Quran, the principles of Qi' raat have also been explained. Therefore, by the grace and mercy of Allah Ta'ala, this topic has been chosen based on these features.