It is narrated from Sayyiduna Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: I met Jibreel (peace be upon him) at the place of Ahjar al-Mara, and I said: O Jibreel! I have been sent as a Prophet to an unlettered nation, among whom are men, women, slaves, maidservants, and extremely old people who have never read any writing. He said: The Noble Qur’an has been revealed upon seven modes of recitation.

(Second chain) The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) met Jibreel (peace be upon him) at the place of Ahjar al-Mara. Jibreel (peace be upon him) said: Your Ummah can recite the Noble Qur’an in seven modes of recitation. Whoever has recited in one mode, let him continue to recite according to his knowledge and not stop. The wording of Ibn Mahdi’s narration is as follows: Jibreel (peace be upon him) said: Indeed, there are weak people in your Ummah, so whoever recites in one mode, let him not turn away from it out of disinterest and go towards another mode.