Hafs 'an 'Asim is the way of reciting the Quran that Hafs ibn Sulayman transmitted from his teacher 'Asim, a master reciter of Kufa. It is the most widely recited riwayah in the world today, and most printed Mushafs, including the Madinah Mushaf, follow it. It is one of twenty main riwayat within the ten authentic qira'at.
If you have heard a teacher say "my ijazah is in Hafs", or noticed a different Mushaf printed "according to the riwayah of Warsh", this guide explains what those words mean and why they matter for learners.
Who were 'Asim and Hafs?
'Asim ibn Abi an-Najud was a leading reciter and teacher of the Quran in Kufa, in present-day Iraq, in the generation after the Companions. He died in 127 or 128 AH. His recitation came to him through teachers who had learned from Companions of the Prophet ﷺ.
Hafs ibn Sulayman (died 180 AH) was 'Asim's student and stepson. He learned the recitation from 'Asim directly and became known for transmitting it carefully. 'Asim had another famous student, Shu'bah, who transmitted a slightly different version of 'Asim's reading.
So "Hafs 'an 'Asim" simply means "Hafs, from 'Asim": the reading of 'Asim as Hafs transmitted it.
What do qira'ah, riwayah and tariq mean?
These three terms describe layers of transmission:
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Qira'ah (reading) | The reading attributed to one of the ten master reciters (imams) | The qira'ah of 'Asim |
| Riwayah (transmission) | The version of that reading transmitted by one of the imam's main students | The riwayah of Hafs from 'Asim |
| Tariq (route) | The later chain or source through which the riwayah reaches us | Hafs by way of ash-Shatibiyyah |
A useful way to picture it: the qira'ah is the source, each riwayah is one of two main branches from it, and each tariq is a path along that branch. When a teacher says their ijazah is "in Hafs 'an 'Asim by way of ash-Shatibiyyah", they are naming all three layers.
There is also a smaller unit, the wajh (way), which describes an optional variant within one route, such as how long a particular type of madd may be held.
What are the ten qira'at?
In the 4th century AH, the scholar Ibn Mujahid (died 324 AH) gathered seven widely accepted readings. Later, Ibn al-Jazari (died 833 AH) established the ten that scholars recognise today. Each of the ten imams has two main transmitters, which gives twenty main riwayat.
| Imam (qari') | City | Two main transmitters (rawis) |
|---|---|---|
| Nafi' | Madinah | Qalun, Warsh |
| Ibn Kathir | Makkah | al-Bazzi, Qunbul |
| Abu 'Amr | Basra | ad-Duri, as-Susi |
| Ibn 'Amir | Damascus | Hisham, Ibn Dhakwan |
| 'Asim | Kufa | Shu'bah, Hafs |
| Hamzah | Kufa | Khalaf, Khallad |
| al-Kisa'i | Kufa | Abu al-Harith, ad-Duri |
| Abu Ja'far | Madinah | Ibn Wardan, Ibn Jammaz |
| Ya'qub | Basra | Ruways, Rawh |
| Khalaf al-'Ashir | Baghdad | Ishaq, Idris |
All ten are authentic, mass-transmitted ways of reciting the same Quran. They are not different Qurans or different versions in any doctrinal sense. The differences are mostly in pronunciation (for example, the length of a madd or how a letter is softened) and, in some places, in small variations of wording that scholars have studied in detail.
A well-known example is the verse of Al-Fatiha about the Day of Recompense. In the reading of 'Asim, the word is recited māliki (Owner of the Day of Recompense), while in the reading of Nafi' it is maliki (King of the Day of Recompense). Both are authentic, and both meanings are true of Allah.
The preservation of the Quran through these chains reflects Allah's promise: "Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian" (Quran 15:9).
Why is Hafs 'an 'Asim so widespread?
Hafs 'an 'Asim is the most widely recited riwayah today across most of the Muslim world. Some practical reasons:
- Printed Mushafs. The most widely distributed printed Mushafs, including the Madinah Mushaf, follow Hafs.
- Recordings. Most well-known recordings follow Hafs, so most learners hear it first. Our list of the best Quran reciters is mostly Hafs recitations.
- Teaching materials. Tajweed books for beginners in English almost always teach Hafs by way of ash-Shatibiyyah.
Warsh 'an Nafi' is widespread in North and West Africa, and other riwayat are still recited in some regions. A Mushaf printed in Warsh looks slightly different, with some different marks and spellings, so it is worth knowing which riwayah your Mushaf follows.
What does this mean for you as a learner?
For most students, the practical answer is simple:
- Learn one riwayah well first. Almost everyone starts with Hafs 'an 'Asim, because the Mushafs, recordings and teaching materials around them use it.
- Use a Mushaf that matches what you are learning. Mixing a Warsh Mushaf with Hafs lessons will confuse a beginner.
- Respect other readings. If you hear a reciter read differently in prayer, it may be an authentic riwayah, not a mistake.
- Study additional riwayat later, if you wish. Advanced students sometimes add Shu'bah, Warsh or others after they are fluent and confident in Hafs.
What does it mean for an ijazah?
An ijazah in Quran recitation is always tied to a riwayah, and often to a tariq. A typical first ijazah reads something like "the whole Quran, in the riwayah of Hafs from 'Asim, by way of ash-Shatibiyyah", followed by the chain of teachers back to the Prophet ﷺ.
When you choose a teacher for your own ijazah, ask:
- Which riwayah, and which tariq, does your ijazah cover?
- Is it for the whole Quran?
- Can I see the sanad?
Each Murouj Academy teacher's profile on our teachers page describes their own ijazah, and you can ask your teacher directly which riwayah it covers. For the broader picture, see the meaning and types of ijazah, the step-by-step guide to getting an ijazah in Quran recitation, and how an ijazah differs from a certificate.
Can you learn Hafs 'an 'Asim with a teacher online?
Yes. At Murouj Academy, classes are one-to-one and live in our own online classroom, where a shared Madinah Mushaf page follows the teacher. Every Murouj Academy teacher is a native Arab and holds an ijazah. You choose your teacher and can switch at any time, and women and girls are always taught by female teachers.
If you read fluently and want to recite the whole Quran to a qualified teacher, the online ijazah course is the place to start. If you are earlier in your journey, browse all six Murouj Academy courses. Either way, you can book a free trial class and ask your teacher about their riwayah and sanad.
Frequently asked questions
What does "Hafs 'an 'Asim" mean?
It means "Hafs, from 'Asim": the reading of the Kufan master reciter 'Asim as transmitted by his student Hafs ibn Sulayman.
Is Hafs the only correct way to recite the Quran?
No. There are ten authentic qira'at with twenty main riwayat, and all are accepted by scholars. Hafs 'an 'Asim is simply the most widely recited today.
What is the difference between Hafs and Warsh?
They come from different imams: Hafs from 'Asim of Kufa, Warsh from Nafi' of Madinah. They differ mostly in pronunciation details and in a few words, and Warsh Mushafs use some different marks.
Which riwayah should a beginner learn?
Most beginners learn Hafs 'an 'Asim, because most printed Mushafs, recordings and teaching materials follow it.
What is ash-Shatibiyyah?
It is a famous teaching poem by Imam ash-Shatibi on the seven readings. It is also the name of the most common route (tariq) through which the riwayah of Hafs is taught today.
