Different Authentic Recitations of Verse 102 of Surah Al-Isra

9-4-2025 | IslamWeb

Question:

In Surah Isra verse 102, Allah says in the Quran, (Musa said), "You know (Alimta) well that none has sent these signs down expect the lord of the heavens and the earth as signs." But in a different way of recitation, in the qiraat of Al-Kisai the word Alimta changes to dammah. (Musa said), "I know (alimtu) well that none has sent these signs down expect the lord of the heavens and the earth as signs." Which one is it? Musa is the one being quoted so he could've only said one or the other.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Both recitations are valid (authentic). Al-Jazari stated in Al-Nashr fi al-Qira’at al-‘Ashr (2/309):

“There is a difference regarding the recitation of ‘Laqad ‘Aalimta’. Al-Kisa’i recited it with a Dammah (an apostrophe-like shape mark) above the ‘Ta’ (‘Aalimtu), while the rest of the reciters recited it with a Fatḥah (a diacritical mark) above the ‘Ta’ (‘Aalimta).” [End quote]

As for the speaker (the person who is meant by the speaker’s speech), it is Musa (Moses, peace be upon him) according to the recitation with Dammah, meaning: “I am certain that what I have brought is revealed from Allah.”

As for the recitation with Fatḥah, the person who is meant by the speaker’s speech is Fir’awn (Pharaoh), meaning: “You (O Fir’awn) are certain that what I have brought is revealed from Allah, but you denied it out of arrogance.”

Allah knows best.