Imam Hamza ibn Habib al-Zayyat al-Kufi (80–156 A.H.) was one of the seven primary Quran reciters, renowned for his piety and deep knowledge of the Quranic sciences. He was born in Kufa and studied under prominent scholars, including Sulaiman al-A’mash and Ja’far as-Sadiq, a descendant of Imam Ali (R.A.). His Qira’at is transmitted through his two main narrators, Khalaf and Khallad, who preserved his distinct method of recitation. Imam Hamza’s recitation lineage traces back to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through Abdullah ibn Mas’ud and Ali ibn Abi Talib (R.A.).
Imam Hamza became a leading figure in the recitation of the Quran in Kufa after the death of Asim. He dedicated his life to teaching the Quran and was known for his beautiful, precise style of recitation. Ash-Shāṭibī said: And Ḥamza, who was a righteous pious man! A patient imām who recited the Qur-ān with tartīl. Imam Hamza passed away in the year 156 AH.
Imam Abu Hanifa once told Imam Hamza, “Allah has favored you with two things that we cannot compete with: the Qur’an and the laws of inheritance.” This statement highlights Imam Hamza’s mastery not only in the recitation of the Qur’an but also in the intricate knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence, particularly in matters of inheritance (Faraid).
Khalaf memorized the Quran when he was ten years old.
Khalaf ibn Hisham Al-Bazzar Al-Baghdadi, also known as Abu Muhammed, was a renowned scholar born in 150 A.H. He memorized the Qur'an by the age of ten and was known for his deep scholarship, ascetic lifestyle, and devotion to worship. Khalaf not only preserved the Qira'ah of Hamzah but also developed his own unique style, which is recognized as the tenth Qira'ah.
Read MoreKhallad was a reputed imām in recitation, knowledgeable, and humble.
Khallād ibn Khālid Ash-Shaybānī Al-Ṣayrafī Al-Kūfī, also known as Abū ʿĪsā, was a prominent figure in the field of Quranic recitation, living between 119-220 A.H. He was highly regarded as an Imam of recitation, recognized for his deep knowledge, humility, and mastery of the Qira'at. Khallād studied under Sulaym ibn ʿĪsā, who had directly learned from Imam Hamzah, making Khallād a key transmitter of Hamzah's recitation.
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