Abstract This study examines the lineage of the qira’at of Imam ‘Ashim through the narration of Hafsh in the city of Medan, focusing on the transmission of the Qur’anic recitation chain (sanad) from teacher to student and how this chain contributes to the formation of religious traditions in North Sumatra. The method used is qualitative research with a historical-critical approach. Data were obtained from literature studies on the science of qira’at, manuscripts of tajwid books, interviews with Qur’an teachers in Medan, as well as observations in Islamic boarding schools and tahfiz institutions. The results show that the recitation practiced by the people of Medan entirely follows the qira’at of Imam ‘Ashim through the narration of Hafsh. The lineage of this recitation is connected through Nusantara scholars, particularly KH. Muhammad Moenawir (Yogyakarta) and KH. Munawwar (Gresik), whose chains of transmission are mutawatir back to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The tradition of Qur’an teaching in Medan, both in pesantren and in study circles (majelis taklim), continues to preserve the continuity of this sanad. This study demonstrates that the Islamic identity of the people of Medan cannot be separated from the heritage of the global qira’at sanad that originated in Kufah, then spread to the Nusantara, and eventually became firmly rooted in Medan.
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