The Hafs refers to one of the most widely used and recognized styles of Quranic recitation, named after the famous Quranic scholar Hafs ibn Sulayman, who transmitted the reading of the Quran through a specific chain of narrators. This recitation style is considered the most prevalent version in the Muslim world and is often the standard in printed copies of the Quran, audio recitations, and digital formats.
The Hafs style is part of the Qira'at tradition, which encompasses various modes of reciting the Quran. Each Qira'at has its own distinctive features, including slight variations in pronunciation, vowel markings, and word stress. However, the Hafs recitation is known for its clarity, smooth flow, and widespread adoption in both historical and contemporary Quranic texts.
In addition to its oral tradition, the Hafs style has been standardized in modern digital formats, ensuring consistency across different media. It is the preferred style in many translations, tafsirs (Quranic commentaries), and Quran apps, making it accessible to a global audience of Muslims.