Is reciting the Quran with melodious tunes (Alhan) disliked or innovative?
Chapter on the Times When Prayer is Prohibited
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
Recitation of the Quran with artificial melodies is disliked, viewed as an innovation (bid'ah). This disapproval stems from the hadith mentioning that among the signs of the Hour, people will take the Quran as musical instruments, favoring someone for their singing rather than their mastery of recitation. Furthermore, the miraculous nature of the Quran lies in its wording and structure, which these elaborate melodies alter. However, Ahmad's prohibition is interpreted as applying only to extreme embellishments that distort letters or prolong vowels improperly. Beautifying the recitation and employing 'tarji'' (repetition or modulation of voice) is not disliked.
Supporting text
The practice of beautifying recitation is supported by evidence showing the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited Surah Al-Fath during the Conquest of Mecca with modulation (tarji'). Moreover, there is a narration that God has not given hearing to anything as much as to a prophet with a beautiful voice chanting the Quran aloud for listening. The command 'Adorn the Quran with your voices' and the statement 'He is not one of us who does not chant (yutaghanna bi) the Quran' confirms the virtue of beautiful recitation.