Quranic Scholar Discusses Educational Impact of Recitation Techniques

IQNA – A Quranic scholar discusses the educational impact of recitation techniques, highlighting how these methods can effectively convey meanings and concepts to the audience.

In a recent article titled "Recitation of the Quran: An Aspect of Teaching Divine Messages," Rasoul Azmayesh, an Iranian Quranic studies researcher, presented his findings at the 19th Specialized Meeting of Distinguished Quranic Scholars, Qaris, and Memorizers. 

Azmayesh argued on Thursday that the act of recitation by a qari is akin to teaching, where the qari imparts a set of concepts to the audience.

Defining teaching, Azmayesh stated: "Teaching is a process through which content is created in the learner and its effect remains in their mind. From this perspective, according to verse 164 of Surah Al-Imran and Tafsir Noor and Sheikh Tusi's commentary, recitation should also be considered a form of teaching as it creates a lasting connection in the transfer of knowledge to the audience."

Azmayesh emphasized that Quranic recitation not only purifies but also serves as a means of education. "If we consider recitation as a form of teaching, the qari uses voice, tone, and the eloquence inherent in Quranic verses to present words and phrases that have a more enduring impact on the audience's mind than any other educational content."

Highlighting innovative methods in the Quran for conveying concepts, Azmayesh noted that these methods align with the latest teaching techniques worldwide. "A qari, by mastering these methods and teaching techniques, can effectively convey meanings. Often, without realizing it, the qari is equipped with these tools in the teaching process, which is often intuitive and emotional."

Azmayesh pointed out a common method in recitation derived from certain verses, known as the question-and-answer technique. He explained, "This method is similar to when a teacher, fully aware of a phenomenon, prompts the student to think by posing a question."

He added that another teaching method in the Quran is the use of analogy, making abstract concepts tangible for the audience. Additionally, the experimental method, which involves step-by-step discovery, is exemplified in the story of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in Surah Al-Baqarah, where God instructs him to prepare the carcasses of birds to understand resurrection.

Azmayesh also mentioned the display method, where the Quran invites the audience to visualize instructive events, and the storytelling method, where the qari uses vocal techniques to narrate as if telling a radio story.

"Explaining the teaching methods in the Quran that can be examined in the qari's tone is to conclude that merely having vocal mastery and embellishments in recitation is not enough to be impactful. Instead, employing these methods, even in a simple recitation, can be effective."

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