The Role of the Ottoman Qur'ān Scholar Mustafa B. Abdirrahman B. Muhammed Al-Izmirî in the Tradition of Confirmation in Qur'ānic Knowledge-The Examples of Egypt and Indonesia

Abstract

This article examines the role of Mustafa b. Abdirrahm & amacr;n b. Muhammed al-Izmiri (d.1154), an Ottoman scholar of Qur'& amacr;nic recitation, within the tradition of ijazah (certification) in the science of Qur'& amacr;nic recitation. Mustafa al-Izmiri is recognized as a prominent and influential scholar in the field of Qur'& amacr;nic recitation during the Ottoman period and beyond, particularly known for his written works and contributions to the tradition of editorial revisions (tahrir & amacr;t). However, it has been observed that Mustafa al-Izmiri is not included in the chain of transmission of the ijazahs for the S & umacr;fi Doctrine of Istanbul Style and the At & amacr;ull & amacr;h Doctrine of Egyptian Style, which have been passed down from the Ottoman period to the present. Given that Mustafa al-Izmiri was a student of Y & umacr;sufefendiz & amacr;de, it is highly likely that he is included in the ijazah sanad of the Itil & amacr;f Doctrine of Istanbul Style. However, since this doctrine is no longer practically taught in our country today it is not possible to confirm the transmitted information. Therefore, Mustafa al-Izmiri is not included in the ijazahs of the doctrines currently transmitted in Turkey. One possible reason for Mustafa al-Izmiri's absence may be his decision to move to Egypt rather than return to Istanbul after traveling to the Hij & amacr;z region for his pilgrimage. This situation suggests the possibility that, although he is not included in the ijazahs in our country, he might take part in the ijazahs granted in Egypt. This article, based on that possibility, aims to trace the presence of Mustafa al-& Idot;zmiri-an important fig & uuml;re in the science of Qur'& amacr;nic recitation-first in Egypt, and then in other accessible Islamic countries, by examining the ij & amacr;zah chains of transmission. A further objective is to contribute to the field by incorporating the uninterrupted chain of transmission of Mustafa al-Izmiri in the ijazahs of the science of Qur'& amacr;nic recitation-albeit through different countries-into the academic literature, as he has gained prominence primarily through his works. Although Mustafa al-Izmiri, made significant contributions to the science of Qur'& amacr;nic recitation through his written works, he has not been extensively studied apart from Recep Koyuncu's study, which is based on one of his works titled Editorial Revisions in the Science of Qur'& amacr;nic Recitation: Mustafa al-Izmiri and His Work 'Umdat al-'Irf & amacr;n. He is primarily mentioned in some studies as a student of Ali al-Mans & umacr;ri (d. 1134/1722). This article seeks to address that gap in the literature. In the introduction, the article focuses on the ijazah and editorial revision traditions, which are relevant to the topic although not in a direct manner. It then delves into al-Izmiri's life, the reasons for his absence in the sanad of ijazahs in our country, and his place in the sanad of ijazahs granted in Egypt and Indonesia. As a result of the study one chain of transmission (sanad) from Indonesia and one from Egypt were found to be identical. Even so, seven uninterrupted chains of transmission of Mustafa al-Izmiri have been identified. Two of these were found in ijazahs granted in the Arab Republic of Egypt, while five were located in ijazahs issued in the Republic of Indonesia. Notably, in Indonesia, chains of transmission that should actually be found in our country were encountered. In other words, the discovery of two uninterrupted chains of transmission continuing through Y & umacr;sufefendiz & amacr;de, one of Mustafa al-Izmiri's teachers of Qur'& amacr;nic recitation, in Indonesia underscores the connection of these chains with our country. In the conclusion, each of the sanads, whether identical or distinct, has been examined individually, and the relationships and interactions among them have been analyzed in detail.