QURAN IJAZAH CHAIN • FACTS FOR STUDENTS IN USA & UK
Facts About Imam Asim, Hafs and Shu'bah: The Most Famous Quran Recitation Chain
Who is Imam Asim? Why do most Muslims read Quran with Hafs an Asim? Who is Shu'bah? If you are learning Quran online in the USA or UK and want to understand Ijazah chain, this guide explains everything with authentic sources.
- Full Name: Asim ibn Abi al-Najud al-Kufi
- Died: 127 AH / 745 CE in Kufa, Iraq
- Rank: One of the 7 famous Qiraat Imams
- Teachers: Abu Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami → Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi Talib → Prophet Muhammad ﷺ; and Zirr ibn Hubaysh → Abdullah ibn Mas'ud
- Famous Students: Hafs ibn Sulayman and Shu'bah ibn Ayyash
- Today: Hafs an Asim is the most widely recited and printed narration worldwide
1. Who is Imam Asim al-Kufi?
Imam Asim ibn Abi al-Najud was a Tabi'i (student of companions). He learned Quran from Abu Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami, who learned directly from companions Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi Talib, Ubayy ibn Ka'b, and Zayd ibn Thabit - all taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself.
Imam Asim was known for his precise recitation and beautiful voice, and leadership in Quran recitation in Kufa came to him. He also learned from Zirr ibn Hubaysh, who learned from the companion Abdullah ibn Mas'ud.
2. Who are Hafs and Shu'bah? Difference Between Them
| Hafs ibn Sulayman | Shu'bah ibn Ayyash | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Hafs ibn Sulayman al-Kufi | Shu'bah ibn Ayyash al-Asadi |
| Lived | 90-180 AH / 709-796 CE | 95-193 AH / 714-809 CE |
| Known For | Regarded as the most precise narrator of Asim; also his step-son | Studied Quran with Asim for many years |
| Popularity Today | The most widely read narration in the Muslim world | Less widely read today; studied by students seeking the full Ijazah of Imam Asim |
| Key Differences | Differs from Shu'bah in some words and recitation rules | Differs from Hafs in some words and recitation rules, learned with a qualified teacher |
Both narrations are authentic and part of 7 Qiraat Mutawatirah. Students seeking Quran Ijazah often learn both Hafs and Shu'bah from Imam Asim via Shatibiyyah.
3. The Ijazah Chain (Sanad) from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to You
What is Ijazah? Ijazah is not just a certificate - it is an unbroken chain of transmission:
- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
- Jibril (Angel Gabriel)
- Companions (Uthman, Ali, Ubayy ibn Ka'b)
- Abu Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami
- Imam Asim al-Kufi (127 AH)
- Hafs (180 AH) / Shu'bah (193 AH)
- ... generations of scholars ...
- Sheikh Mohamed Waked (Egypt, Al-Azhar)
- YOU (Student in USA/UK)
At Egypt Institute, students in USA, UK, Canada and Australia learn Ijazah with this authentic chain. Meet our Azhari teachers who hold Ijazah in Hafs and Shu'bah.
4. Why Do Americans Read Hafs an Asim?
If you bought a Mushaf in USA, UK, or online, it is most likely Hafs an Asim. Reasons:
- The Cairo edition (1924): A landmark standardized Mushaf printed in Egypt under King Fuad I, prepared by a committee of Al-Azhar scholars in the narration of Hafs from Asim
- Widely taught: Hafs is the most widely taught narration, so most beginners start with it
- Large-scale printing: Projects such as the King Fahd Complex in Madinah print and distribute the Mushaf in Hafs an Asim worldwide
For students in USA and UK, learning Hafs is best start. Advanced students later add Shu'bah for full Ijazah of Imam Asim.
5. Facts Students Ask About Ijazah
How long does Ijazah take?
Usually 6-18 months for Hafs, depending on your Tajweed level. You must recite entire Quran from memory or reading with perfect Tajweed to Sheikh Mohamed Waked.
Can kids get Ijazah?
Yes, if they complete Hifz with Tajweed and can recite the whole Quran to a qualified teacher.
Do Hafs and Shu'bah read Surah Al-Fatiha differently?
In the verse مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ, both Hafs and Shu'bah read Maaliki with the long alif, because this is the recitation of Imam Asim. The short reading (Maliki) belongs to other Qurra. The differences between Hafs and Shu'bah are in other words and rules, which are learned with a qualified teacher.
Want Ijazah with Authentic Chain to Prophet ﷺ?
Learn Hafs and Shu'bah from Sheikh Mohamed Waked - Al-Azhar certified teacher.
Sources: Ibn al-Jazari - Ghayat al-Nihayah, al-Dhahabi - Ma'rifat al-Qurra, Shatibiyyah - Hirz al-Amani. Taught at Egypt Institute for Arabic Language Sciences and Quran.