Navigating the Labyrinth: Malaysian Students’ Struggles and Insights in Mastering Variant Readings of the Quran

Abstract

This research aims to identify the primary challenges faced by students in the Quranic Studies departments at Malaysian universities, particularly those specializing in variant readings of the Quran, known as Qirāʾāt. It aims to meticulously develop theoretical, practical, and logical strategies to address these obstacles, thereby facilitating academic success and navigating through the various stages of their educational pursuits with greater efficacy and efficiency. The descriptive-analytical approach is utilized to achieve the research study objectives. A questionnaire is specifically developed for the obstacles and challenges to learning and teaching Qirāʾāt Sabʿ (seven canonical modes of recitation) among students in Malaysian universities. A research sample of (99) students including (48) males and (51) females at the level of bachelor’s degree program of Qirāʾāt from different university years in five Malaysian universities is randomly selected. A 72-item questionnaire used as a research instrument is also prepared and divided into five domains. This study findings indicate weakness and randomness among students concerning memorizing and revising the Holy Qur’an, as well as in memorizing some fundamental texts in Qirāʾāt, such as the Ṭayyibat al-Nashr fī al-Qirāʾāt al-ʿAshr. Concerning the Arabic language and its practice, the results show weakness among students in using the Arabic language and its applications. However, the results show no statistically significant differences in independent variables such as the student’s gender or study’s place. The research results will help the students of the Qirāʾāt program to identify the most important obstacles and challenges in learning and teaching qirāʾāt sabʿ and find the most significant treatment methods to overcome these difficulties and obstacles. This research study is also valuable in making appropriate decisions and developing teaching methods in institutes and universities interested in teaching the Qirāʾāt, so that proper instructions that limit these difficulties are developed in advance.