Intermediate
Narrators
Surah: Al-Fatihah (5)
The Narrations of Al-Duri and Al-Susi from Abu Amr — Their Differences
وَإِيَّاكَ نَسۡتَعِينُ
— الفاتحة الآية 5
Abu Amr ibn Al-Ala (d. 154 AH):
Imam of Basra — the most widely narrated and moderate reader. Two main narrators:
1. Narration of Al-Duri (Abu Umar Hafs Al-Duri — d. 246 AH):
The main difference: Al-Duri extends madd munfasil 4 counts — Al-Susi shortens it to 2. For madd muttasil, both extend 4 or 5 counts.
Imam of Basra — the most widely narrated and moderate reader. Two main narrators:
1. Narration of Al-Duri (Abu Umar Hafs Al-Duri — d. 246 AH):
- Madd munfasil: 4 counts (tawassut/moderate).
- Imala: tilting of kasra in certain alifs.
- Major idgham: the famous idgham of Abu Amr — assimilation of identical, similar, and adjacent letters.
- Sin/sad: sin becomes sad before emphatic letters (ishman).
- Madd munfasil: only 2 counts (qasr/short) — this is the most distinctive difference between the two narrations.
- Imala: same as Al-Duri.
- Major idgham: same as Al-Duri.
The main difference: Al-Duri extends madd munfasil 4 counts — Al-Susi shortens it to 2. For madd muttasil, both extend 4 or 5 counts.
Source: Al-Nashr (2/210-217); Al-Taysir (p.65-70); Al-Itihaf (p.128-135)
Test Yourself
What is the main difference between the narrations of Al-Duri and Al-Susi from Abu Amr?
Show Answer