The Unique Opinions of Imam Al-Kirmani on Uthmanic Orthography in his Book "Khatt al-Masahif": A Compilation and Analytical Study

Abstract

This study examines the unique features of Imam al-Kirmani's approach to Quranic orthography, as presented in his book "Khatt al-Masahif" (The Script of the Qur'ans). It focuses on compiling and analyzing these unique features. The study aims to collect and analyze Imam al-Kirmani's unique features in his book "Khatt al-Masahif," and to demonstrate the importance of this book in the field of Uthmanic orthography. The researcher employed a descriptive-analytical methodology. The study yielded several important findings, most notably: 1. Imam al-Kirmani meticulously documented the variations in Qur'anic manuscripts, specifying the unique features of one of the five Uthmanic codices, while also mentioning other codices without further specification. 2. Al-Kirmani uniquely identified several orthographic features that differ from those of Imam al-Dani and his student, Abu Dawud Sulayman ibn Najah. These include: a) The dual form of the relative pronoun with two lams. b) The addition of an alif after the waw in the word "dhawā". c) The addition of an alif after the lam. d) The writing of certain alifs that originally had a ya' with an alif.