based on hadiths which state the Quran was revealed in seven ahruf. The choice attracted criticism from later Muslim scholars, who commented that it caused confusion between the ahruf and canonical readings. Personal views Siding with the traditionists over the grammarians, Ibn Mujahid was concerned by Quranic readers who would recite grammatically sound variants of the text that had no precedent in previously transmitted readings. He was involved with the prosecution of grammarian-readers who insisted on doing so, notably Ibn Miqdad and Ibn Shannabudh. He also cautioned against memorising the Quran without knowledge of Arabic grammar, warning that it could damage the reader's ability to remember verses. The reader would then be prone to recite grammatically incorrect constructions that would be falsely attributed to their teachers. See also Qira'at Ahruf Ten recitations Seven readers References 10th-century Muslim scholars of Islam 9th-century births 936 deaths Year of birth uncertain