The Omission of Letters and Its Impact on Guiding the Interpretive Meaning of Qurʾānic Readings

حذف الحروف وأثره في توجيه المعنى التفسيري للقراءات القرآنية

Abstract

This study investigates the phenomenon of letter omission (ḥadhf al-ḥurūf) in Qurʾānic readings and its role in directing interpretive meanings and generating multiple semantic nuances. The research demonstrates that such omissions are not merely phonetic or lexical variations but constitute a rhetorical device that enriches exegesis and deepens semantic understanding. The study further highlights the diversity of scholarly positions regarding this phenomenon, ranging from preference and explanation to defense, reflecting the nuanced approaches of classical commentators.

The analysis concludes that the omission of letters serves as evidence of the Qurʾān’s linguistic and rhetorical inimitability (iʿjāz), illustrating its semantic breadth and depth. By examining the implications of these variations in recitation, the study underscores their significant contribution to both the sciences of Qurʾānic readings (Qirāʾāt) and exegetical interpretation (tafsīr), demonstrating the intricate interplay between phonetic features and meaning in the Qurʾānic text.