Kashf Al-Ḥijāb ʿan Ajzāʾ Al-Aḥzāb by ʿUmar Ibn Qāsim Al-Anṣārī D. 938 AH.: Study and Critical Edition 10.35781/1637-000-141-003

Abstract

Abstract This study provides a critical edition and analytical study of Imam ʿUmar ibn Qāsim al-Anṣārī al-Nashshār’s (d. 938 AH) manuscript “Kashf al-Ḥijāb ʿan Ajzāʾ al-Aḥzāb”—one of the earliest works devoted to defining the divisions of the Qurʾān into parts, sections, halves, and quarters. The research highlights the precision and methodological rigor of early Qurʾānic scholars in preserving and organizing the text. The study aims to trace the historical development of Qurʾānic division (taḥzīb) from the Prophetic era to its standardized form today, to examine its educational and devotional impact, and to emphasize Imam al-Nashshār’s contribution to establishing the principles of this field. The research consists of two main parts: the first presents the theoretical framework, including the concept, origin, and evolution of taḥzīb and a biographical and methodological study of Imam al-Nashshār; the second part provides the verified edition of his manuscript. The findings show that taḥzīb is an authentic Qurʾānic science that developed to organize recitation and review, carrying both educational and spiritual dimensions. The study recommends publishing and preserving related manuscripts and developing interactive digital tools to display Qurʾānic divisions according to various schools of verse enumeration