Fakhr Razi's Interpretative Approach to Anomalous Readings (Qira'at Shadh) by the Seven Reciters of the (Quran)

An anomalous reading (Qira'at Shadh) refers to a reading (Qira'at) that does not meet the three conditions of conformity with the Arabic language, agreement with one of the Uthmani Codices, and the authenticity of the chain of transmission. However, this does not necessarily mean that it is exclusively narrated by lesser-known and secondary narrators. Indeed, even some of the most famous reciters, known as the Seven Reciters (Qurra' Sab'ah), have transmitted anomalous readings (Qira'at). Although these readings (Qira'at) often distinguish themselves by having valid documentation and linguistic coherence, they are distinct from other anomalous readings (Qira'at Shadh). While most interpreters mainly encounter anomalous readings (Qira'at Shadh) narrated by lesser-known reciters and pay less attention to them in the interpretation of verses, the approach varies when dealing with anomalous readings (Qira'at Shadh) from the Seven Reciter.Some consider anomalous readings (Qira'at Shadh) as a criterion and do not pay attention to them, while others take into account the rank of the Seven Reciters in recitation and also consider their anomalous readings (Qira'at Shadh). Some adopt a middle approach. Fakhr Razi is one of the interpreters who has shown special interest in interpreting verses based on anomalous readings (Qira'at Shadh) transmitted by the Seven Reciters, to the extent that he does not describe them as anomalous and only refers to them as non-famous. This paper aims to compare Fakhr Razi's approach to anomalous readings (Qira'at Shadh) narrated by the Seven Reciters with the interpretation of the major reciters, describing and analyzing his use of these readings in interpreting verses.