letters. That is why the former were transmitted in words, whereas the latter could not be conveyed in words. Only what could be conveyed was transmitted, such as the Prophet’s vocal modulation when reciting Sūrat al-Fath, rendered as: “Ā, ā, ā.”

They argued: Stirring, melodic recitation comes down to two things: prolongation and vocal modulation. It is established that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prolonged his voice when reciting, drawing out al-Rahmān (the Most Merciful) and al-Rahīm (the Especially Merciful). His vocal modulation is also established, as noted above.

Those who prohibit this said: Our case rests on several arguments. The first is what Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamān reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him:

“Recite the Quran with the melodies and voices of the Arabs. Beware of the melodies of the People of the Book and the immoral, for after me there will come people who modulate their voices when reciting the Quran as they do in singing and lamentation. It will not go beyond their throats. Their hearts will be beguiled, as will the hearts of those who admire their performance.”

This was narrated by Abū al-Hasan Razīn in Tajrīd al-Sihāh and by Abū ‘Abd Allāh al-Tirmidhī al-Hakīm in Nawādir al-Usūl (1). Judge Abū Ya‘lā cited it as evidence in al-Jāmi‘. Alongside it, he cited another hadith in which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, mentioned the signs of the Hour and listed several things, including:

“And the Quran will be treated as music; they will put forward one of their number who is neither their most accomplished reciter nor