What is the ruling on excessive elongation and distortion in Quranic recitation?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Testimonies
Primary text
If one excessively elongates, stretches, or over-emphasizes the vowel signs to the extent that a Dammah becomes a Waw, a Fathah becomes an Alif, and a Kasrah becomes a Yaa, such practice is disliked. Some jurists even deem it forbidden (Muharram) because it alters the Quran, removes words from their proper articulation, and turns vowel signs into actual letters.
Supporting text
A narration from Abu Abdullah (Imam Ahmad) indicates that if a man is asked his name, and if he is called by a distorted pronunciation, he objects, then he should not accept the distortion in the Quran. This excessive practice is not permissible unless the sanctity of the recitation is maintained as in the case of Abu Musa.