The disconnected and the connected, and their relationship to pausing and resuming

Abstract

This study examines the topic of Disconnected and Connected Words (Al-Maqṭūʿ wa Al-Mawṣūl) in the Qur'an and Their Relationship to Pausing and Resuming Recitation (Waqf and Ibtidāʾ). It aims to highlight the scholarly relationship between the Uthmānic script (Rasm al-Muṣḥaf) and the rules of pausing and resuming recitation, while demonstrating the impact of disconnected and connected words on Qur'anic performance and the interpretation of meaning. The significance of this study lies in the fact that Al-Maqṭūʿ and Al-Mawṣūl are not merely orthographic features of the Qur'anic script; rather, they directly influence the proper places for pausing and resuming recitation, thereby ensuring accurate pronunciation and preserving the intended meanings of the Qur'anic verses. The study begins with a preliminary chapter defining the concepts of Al-Maqṭūʿ, Al-Mawṣūl, Waqf, and Ibtidāʾ, clarifying their linguistic and technical meanings as a foundation for examining their interrelationship. The first chapter presents the theoretical framework of the relationship between Al-Maqṭūʿ, Al-Mawṣūl, and Waqf and Ibtidāʾ by discussing the connection between the Uthmānic script and word separation and connection, the effect of these orthographic forms on the rules of pausing and resuming recitation, the significance of this branch of Qur'anic studies, its role in directing exegetical meaning, and the principles governing pausing at disconnected and connected words. The second chapter is devoted to practical applications through selected Qur'anic examples that illustrate the influence of Al-Maqṭūʿ and Al-Mawṣūl on Waqf and Ibtidāʾ and demonstrate their impact on semantic interpretation. The study concludes that the relationship between Al-Maqṭūʿ, Al-Mawṣūl, and Waqf and Ibtidāʾ is an integrated one, contributing to the preservation of authentic Qur'anic recitation, safeguarding the intended meanings, and revealing an important aspect of the precision of the Uthmānic script. The findings further emphasize the importance of giving greater scholarly attention to this topic because of its significant contribution to Qur'anic studies and related disciplines.