Confrontation

Mukabele is a term that literally means “to compare two things,” but in technical usage it refers to the communal practice of completing a full recitation of the Qur’an, in which one person recites while others follow along in their copies of the text, thereby achieving a hatim.^【1】

Mukabele (AA)

In Islamic societies, mukabele is widely practiced especially during the three holy months and the month of Ramadan, typically taking place in mosques, prayer halls, and homes, where hafizes recite the Qur’an while listeners follow along in their mushafs. Over time, this reciprocal recitation practice evolved into a term specifically denoting the recitation performed by hafizes.

Historical Origins

The foundation of the mukabele tradition lies in the process of the Qur’an’s revelation, during which Angel Gabriel would recite the verses revealed up to that point reciprocally with Ramadan each year to Prophet Muhammad for verification.^【2】

This reciprocal recitation occurred twice during the final Ramadan before the Prophet’s death and came to be known as arza-i ahire.^【3】 The fact that the Qur’an began to be revealed in Ramadan and that acts of worship performed during this month are considered especially virtuous contributed significantly to the widespread adoption of the mukabele tradition.

Mukabele (AA)

Relationship with the Hatim Tradition

Mukabele is directly linked to the tradition of hatim, which denotes the complete recitation of the Qur’an from beginning to end. In mukabele, one person recites while others follow along, and after a set period, the entire Qur’an is recited, completing the hatim. The belief that both reciting and listening to the Qur’an constitute acts of worship, and that communal Qur’an gatherings serve as a source of divine mercy and blessing, has firmly embedded mukabele within religious life.

Early Practices

During the time of the Companions, special emphasis was placed on Qur’an recitation during Ramadan, and it is reported that some Companions gathered their family members to perform mukabele.^【4】 The practice of listening to those who recited the Qur’an beautifully and ensuring its accurate continuation formed part of the early characteristics of the mukabele tradition.

Mukabele Tradition in Islamic History

Over time, the practice of mukabele expanded beyond mosques to other venues such as madrasas, tekkes, homes, and palaces. It is known that Islamic states employed hafizes specifically for Qur’an recitation in royal courts.

Mukabele (AA)

During the Ottoman period, officials known as cüzhan were assigned to recite one juz of the Qur’an before each prayer in mosques. Additionally, in some residences, performing mukabele after the pre-dawn meal became customary.

In Istanbul, the practice of performing mukabele in the Hırka-i Saadet Dairesi of Topkapı Sarayı continued for a long period.

It is known that Ottoman sultans also participated in hatim gatherings. In this context, it is reported that Sultan Selim III attended mukabele gatherings during Ramadan. In Istanbul, the hatim recitations held especially at Eyüp Sultan Camii were considered to possess particular merit.^【5】

Recitation Style

In mukabele, it is recommended that the Qur’an be recited at a moderate pace and in tertîl (distinct, measured enunciation). It is considered virtuous for the reciter to follow the text in the mushaf so that listeners may follow easily.^【6】 In this regard, mukabele became a tradition combining worship and education by ensuring the accurate and orderly recitation of the Qur’an.

Role in Qur’an Education

Mukabele (AA)

Mukabele is regarded as one of the key practices ensuring the accurate recitation of the Qur’an and its transmission from generation to generation. The method of reciprocal recitation and listening reflects the continuation of the müşâfehe pedagogical principle in Qur’an instruction.

Listening to and repeating Qur’an recitations serve an educational function by helping students improve their own recitation and preserve their memorization. It is noted that in this respect, mukabele has been evaluated as a pedagogical tool in Qur’an education.

Mukabele in Different Regions

The mukabele tradition is maintained across various regions of the Islamic world with differing practices. In the Balkans, mukabele begins at the start of the three holy months; in Egypt, regular Qur’an recitations are held in mosques and broadcast on media; in the Indian subcontinent, mukabele is more commonly practiced as hafizes listening to one another.

Mukabele (AA)

Mukabele Today

In contemporary Türkiye, mukabele gatherings typically begin on the first day of Ramadan and conclude on the eve of Eid al-Fitr. The hatim prayer is most commonly performed at the end of Ramadan or on Laylat al-Qadr.^【7】

Mukabele gatherings take place not only in mosques but also in homes, and are followed via radio and television broadcasts. In domestic settings, it is a common practice for women to gather together to listen to mukabele.