Advanced
The Ten Readers
Al-Kisa'i Al-Kufi — Biography and His Feature of Al-Imala
Biography:
Ali ibn Hamza Al-Kisa'i (d. 189H) — Imam of Kufan grammarians and one of the greatest readers. Nicknamed Al-Kisa'i for entering ihram in a kisa' (garment). Taught the Abbasid caliph Harun Al-Rashid and his son Al-Amin. Died on a journey with Al-Rashid to Khurasan.
Principal narrators: Al-Duri (d. 246H) — also narrator from Abu Amr; Abu Al-Harith (d. 240H).
Key feature — Imala:
Ali ibn Hamza Al-Kisa'i (d. 189H) — Imam of Kufan grammarians and one of the greatest readers. Nicknamed Al-Kisa'i for entering ihram in a kisa' (garment). Taught the Abbasid caliph Harun Al-Rashid and his son Al-Amin. Died on a journey with Al-Rashid to Khurasan.
Principal narrators: Al-Duri (d. 246H) — also narrator from Abu Amr; Abu Al-Harith (d. 240H).
Key feature — Imala:
- Full imala kabra: Al-Kisa'i performs imala in words not imala'd by others of the seven — including "al-kafirin / al-nar / al-janna" and every final alif converted from ya'
- Imala of ta' al-ta'nis when stopping: Like "rahma / ni'ma" at pause
- Imala of prophets' names: "Musa / Isa / Yahya" with clear lean toward ya'
Source: Al-Nashr (1/132); Al-Dani (p.15); Ibn Mujahid (p.109)
Test Yourself
What is Al-Kisa'i most known for in his reading? Give an example of his imala kabra.
Show Answer