Disagreements of the Fuqaha vs “Disagreements” of the Qurra’

Ibn al-Jazari Rahimahullah (751 – 833):

“On this basis, the disagreements amongst the Qurra’ differ from the disagreements amongst the Fuqaha’. The disagreements amongst the Qurra’ are all true and correct. They are revelations from Allah and undoubtedly His word. The disagreements amongst the Fuqaha’ are differences in judgment. The truth in actual reality is one. Hence, every madhhab in relation to another is correct but has the potential of being a mistake, whereas every reading in relation to another is correct and true in actual reality. We are certain of this and believe in it.

“We believe that every reading-variant attributed to a Sahabi or another means only that he had more retention of it, read it and taught it more frequently, and had more adherence to it and inclination towards it – nothing more. The same is the case with the attribution of reading-variants to the authorities of qira’ah and their narrators. What is meant is that the Qari’ and the authority chose to recite that particular linguistic variation based on his recitation of it. He preferred it over others, persisted with it, and stuck to it until he became famous and recognised for it. He was sought out for it and it was taken from him. This is why it was attributed to him and not other Qurra’. This attribution is one of selection, persistence and adherence, not one of invention, opinion and judgment.” (Ibn al-Jazari, Nashr al-Qira’at al-‘Ashr, Dar al-Ghawthani, p.229)