THE ROLE OF IJTIHAD IN THE DIFFERENCE OF QUR’ANIC READINGS WITH EMPHASIS ON THE VIEW OF AYATOLLAH MAAREFAT

One of the issues raised about the reasons for the difference in Qur’anic readings is the issue of expertion (ijtihad), which is raised under the title of ijtihad of reciters and companions. Great figures such as Ayatollah Khoei and Ayatollah Maarefat have raised the issue of ijtihad in recitation. In this article, which is written in a descriptive-analytical method, the reasons for and against the discussion of ijtihad on the issue of differences in readings were examined. The main reason for the agreement was the practice of the tastes of the companions and the reciters, which has been mentioned as one of the important factors in influencing the difference of readings. While the opponents have considered the recitations as evidence based on listening and narration and have stated that ijtihad in recitation has been confused with the word ikhtiar in recitation. But by referring to the history of recitations, it becomes clear that ijtihad existed in recitations and these ijtihads are not done only by a few unknown people whom that most Muslims has ignored.