66/8. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5000 — Ibn Masud and Quran Knowledge
The Qurra from among the Companions of the Prophet (saws)
Hadith About Ibn Masud’s Quran Knowledge and Humility
Sahih Bukhari : 5000
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5000
حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ حَفْصٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، حَدَّثَنَا شَقِيقُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَ خَطَبَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ أَخَذْتُ مِنْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِضْعًا وَسَبْعِينَ سُورَةً، وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمَ أَصْحَابُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنِّي مِنْ أَعْلَمِهِمْ بِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا بِخَيْرِهِمْ. قَالَ شَقِيقٌ فَجَلَسْتُ فِي الْحِلَقِ أَسْمَعُ مَا يَقُولُونَ فَمَا سَمِعْتُ رَادًّا يَقُولُ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ.
Shaqiq bin Salama Narrated from:
Once `Abdullah bin Mas`ud delivered a sermon before us and said, "By Allah, I learnt over seventy Suras direct from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). By Allah, the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) came to know that I am one of those who know Allah's Book best of all of them, yet I am not the best of them." Shaqiq added: I sat in his religious gathering and I did not hear anybody opposing him (in his speech).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5000In-book reference : Book 66, Hadith 22USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 61, Hadith 522
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5000
This Hadith centers on Quran knowledge and the place of Abdullah ibn Masud among the Companions. He says that he learned more than seventy surahs directly from the mouth of Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. That is a strong witness to his close link with the Quran and the Prophet’s teaching. At the same time, he does not use this knowledge to claim he is better than everyone else. He clearly says, “yet I am not the best of them.” Shaqiq then listened among the gatherings and did not hear anyone reject what Ibn Masud said. For readers searching for a hadith about learning Quran from the Prophet, this narration shows both trusted knowledge and humble speech.
What we learn from this hadith
- Quran knowledge can be taken from direct and trusted teaching.
- A person may be known for knowledge and still speak with humility.
- The Companions recognized Ibn Masud’s strong knowledge of Allah’s Book.
- Claims about religious knowledge should be supported by known witness and acceptance.
