Imam Ya’qub Al-Hadrami (d. 205 A.H.) was the ninth of the ten famous Qira’at reciters, renowned for his recitation style from the city of Basra. His full name was Abu Muhammad Ya’qub ibn Ishaq Al-Hadrami Al-Basri, and his Qira’ah traced back to the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari. His legacy as a reciter of the Qur’an in Basra made him a prominent figure in the field of Qira’at.

Ya’qub studied under notable scholars, including Abu Al-Mundhir Salam ibn Saliem, learning the art of Qur’anic recitation. After the death of Abu ‘Amr ibn Al-Ala’ Al-Basri, Ya’qub became the leading reciter in Basra. He was widely respected, and many imams in the mosques of Basra adopted his Qira’ah as the standard for their recitations. Although he was initially considered one of the seven primary reciters, his position was later given to Al-Kisā’ī by Ibn Mujāhid. Despite this, his influence in Qur’anic recitation continues to be recognized.

In Basra, the imams in mosques primarily used the Qira’at of Ya’qub during their recitations, as reported by Abu ‘Amru ad-Dani, highlighting his lasting impact on the city’s recitation traditions

Yaʿqūb was trained within the Hadramawt tradition, absorbing the local recitational practices that highlight the unique dialect and melodic qualities of southern Arabia. Although the name of his individual instructor is not widely recorded, his method clearly reflects the deep-rooted influence of Hadramawt’s oral heritage.

Originating from the Hadramawt region in southern Arabia, Yaʿqūb developed a recitation marked by distinctive pronunciation and a measured, lyrical delivery. His style preserves regional inflections and offers a window into the rich cultural and linguistic traditions of southern Arabia. This local flavor has ensured the method’s continued popularity in Yemen and among communities with historical ties to the region.

Narrators and Their Biographies

• Ruways:
  Ruways is noted for faithfully preserving the regional inflections and musical quality inherent in Yaʿqūb’s recitation. His version remains a touchstone for those interested in the Hadramawt tradition.
• Rawh:
  Focusing on clarity and consistency in pronunciation, Rawh’s transmission reinforces the authenticity of Yaʿqūb’s method. Together, these narrators have maintained a recitational style that is both regionally distinctive and historically significant.