receive payment for it, just as for singing.”

Ibn Battāl (1) said: “One group held that melodious recitation of the Quran means beautifying the voice, modulating it during recitation, and reciting with whatever vocal styles and melodies one wishes.” He said: “This is the view of Ibn al-Mubārak and al-Nadr ibn Shumayl.”

He said (2): “Among those who permitted reciting the Quran to melodies was ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb. Al-Tabarī related that he would say to Abū Mūsā, ‘Remind us of our Lord.’ Abū Mūsā would then recite melodiously (3). ‘Umar also said, ‘Whoever can recite the Quran melodiously (4) as Abū Mūsā does, let him do so (5).’ ‘Uqba ibn ‘Āmir had one of the most beautiful voices in reciting the Quran. ‘Umar said to him, ‘Recite such-and-such a surah to me.’ He recited it to him, and ‘Umar wept and said, ‘I had not thought that it had been revealed (6).’”

He said (7): “Ibn ‘Abbās and Ibn Mas‘ūd also permitted it, and this was reported from ‘Atā’ ibn Abī Rabāh.” He said: “‘Abd al-Rahmān ibn al-Aswad ibn Yazīd used to seek out beautiful voices in