Khalaf ibn Hisham Al-Baghdadi (d. 229H):
An independent Baghdad reader — first a narrator of Hamza Al-Zayyat then established his own independent path counted as the tenth reading. An imam in readings, grammar, and hadith. Narrators:
Is'haq (d. 286H) and
Idris (d. 292H).
Difference between Khalaf the narrator and Khalaf Al-Ashir:
- Khalaf as narrator: One of Hamza's two narrators — his narration counts as the sixth reading among the seven.
- Khalaf Al-Ashir: His independent chosen reading — the tenth in the ten mutawatir readings.
Key features of Khalaf Al-Ashir's reading:
- Major imala in many words — agreeing with Hamza in some, differing in others.
- Tahqiq of hamza in many positions.
- Idgham kabir in specific positions.
- Sakt (brief pause) before isolated hamza in certain positions.
Question: What is the difference between "Khalaf" as a narrator of Hamza and "Khalaf Al-Ashir"?
Answer: As narrator: his narration from Hamza counts within the sixth reading. As Khalaf Al-Ashir: his independent chosen reading is the tenth reading, separate from the Hamza narration.