Dates & Background:
Approximate Life: Generally placed in the early 2nd century AH (with many sources citing his death around 161 AH, approximately 778 CE).

Teachers & Training: Educated in the scholarly centers of Basra and beyond, he received rigorous instruction in both Quranic sciences and Arabic linguistics. Although details of his individual teachers vary in the reports, his method reflects the precise and methodical approach of his region.

His teachers included prominent figures from Makkah, Madinah, and Basra, giving him a deep understanding of the Quran. Among his shiyūkh were Abū Ja˘far (d.130 A.H.), and Abū al ˘Āliyah (d. 95 A.H.), who learnt from ˘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb and other Companions, who learned from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

What He Was Famous For & Characteristics:
• Famous for a strictly systematic approach to recitation, with a focus on accurate articulation and vowel precision.
• His method is characterized by a methodical, almost scientific, treatment of the language.

Imam Abu Amr al-Basri was not only a master of Quranic recitation but also a renowned linguist, contributing significantly to Arabic grammar. His influence is seen in the Basri school of grammar, where his understanding of language helped shape the study of Arabic for future generations.

Popularity:
• His qirā’ah found favor particularly in Iraq and Egypt, influencing later generations of reciters.

Narrators (Rawīyān):

Ad-Dūrī:

Characteristics: Renowned for his clear, musically inclined transmission, Ad-Dūrī’s rendition preserved the analytical clarity of Abū ‘Amr’s method. His version gained considerable acceptance in Egypt and Sudan.

As-Sūsī:

Characteristics: As-Sūsī is remembered for his careful and precise reproduction of Abū ‘Amr’s recitation. His transmission ensured that the unique features of this method were maintained intact over time.