Sharh Minhat Mawli al-Birr fima zadahu Kitab al-Nashr fi al-Qiraat al-Ashr ala al-Shatibiyyah wa al-Durrah شرح منحة مولي البر فيما زاده كتاب النشر في القراءات العشر على الشاطبية والدرة

Sharh Minhat Mawli al-Birr fima zadahu Kitab al-Nashr fi al-Qiraat al-Ashr ala al-Shatibiyyah wa al-Durrah (شرح منحة مولي البر فيما زاده كتاب النشر في القراءات العشر على الشاطبية والدرة) is a highly esteemed classical-style contemporary work in the science of Quranic recitations (Qira’at), authored by the prominent Egyptian scholar of Qira’at, Sheikh Abdul Fattah Abdul Ghani al-Qadi (1325 AH – 1403 AH / 1907 CE – 1982 CE).

The Context of the Work

There are three foundational texts of the Ten Qira’at (the Ten Recitations of the Quran):

1. Al-Shatibiyyah (Hirz al-Amani wa Wajh al-Tahani): A famous poem by Imam al-Shatibi covering the Seven Qira’at.

2. Al-Durrah al-Mudi’ah: A poem by Imam Ibn al-Jazari covering the three recitations that complete the Ten Qira’at (relying on the paths of Al-Shatibiyyah). Together, these are known as The Minor Ten Recitations (Al-Ashr al-Sughra).

3. Kitab al-Nashr fi al-Qira’at al-Ashr: The ultimate encyclopedia of the Ten Recitations written by Imam Ibn al-Jazari. The recitations collected here include more pathways (turuq) and variations, and are known as The Major Ten Recitations (Al-Ashr al-Kubra).

Because Imam Ibn al-Jazari’s Al-Nashr contains many extra details, variations, and pathways that are not found in Al-Shatibiyyah and Al-Durrah, scholars sought to isolate and document these additions. The scholar Sheikh Muhammad al-Mutawalli (d. 1313 AH), a former Sheikh al-Qurra of Egypt, composed a poetic text (a matn) titled: Minhat Mawli al-Birr fima zadahu Kitab al-Nashr…(The Gift of the Master of Benevolence regarding what the Book al-Nashr added to al-Shatibiyyah and al-Durrah). This poem systematically outlines every single rule, pronunciation, and variant that Imam Ibn al-Jazari added in Al-Nashr (representing the Kubra paths) which was not covered in the standard Shatibiyyah and Durrah texts (the Sughra paths).

While Sheikh al-Mutawalli’s poem is incredibly precise, it is highly dense and challenging to understand without a guide. Sheikh Abdul Fattah al-Qadi—who was one of the greatest authorities of Quranic sciences and Qira’at in the 20th century, and the former Dean of the Faculty of Holy Quran in Medina—wrote this brilliant commentary (Sharh).

Key Features of the Sharh:

• Simplification: He unpacks the highly condensed poetic verses of Sheikh al-Mutawalli, explaining them in clear, modern, and accessible Arabic prose.

• Comparative Breakdown: He clearly details what the addition (ziyadah) is, who among the reciters it applies to, and how it differs from the paths of the Shatibiyyah and Durrah.

• Authentic Application: Sheikh al-Qadi provides practical, oral recitation instructions (tahrirat) so that students of Qira’at know how to apply these additions without mixing different pathways (tarkib al-turuq), which is forbidden in the formal recitation of Qira’at.

Why is this book important?

For any advanced student or scholar of the Quran pursuing the Major Ten Recitations (Al-Ashr al-Kubra), this book is indispensable. It serves as a vital bridge, allowing readers who already memorize and master Al-Shatibiyyah and Al-Durrah to easily grasp the extra layers of Kitab al-Nashr without becoming lost in its massive volumes.