66/8. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5002 — Seeking Deeper Quran Knowledge
The Qurra from among the Companions of the Prophet (saws)
Hadith About Seeking Quran Knowledge with Ibn Masud
Sahih Bukhari : 5002
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5002
حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ حَفْصٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، حَدَّثَنَا مُسْلِمٌ، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، قَالَ قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ وَاللَّهِ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُهُ مَا أُنْزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ إِلاَّ أَنَا أَعْلَمُ أَيْنَ أُنْزِلَتْ وَلاَ أُنْزِلَتْ آيَةٌ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ إِلاَّ أَنَا أَعْلَمُ فِيمَ أُنْزِلَتْ، وَلَوْ أَعْلَمُ أَحَدًا أَعْلَمَ مِنِّي بِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ تُبَلِّغُهُ الإِبِلُ لَرَكِبْتُ إِلَيْهِ.
`Abdullah Narrated from:
By Allah other than Whom none has the right to be worshipped! There is no Sura revealed in Allah's Book but I know at what place it was revealed; and there is no Verse revealed in Allah's Book but I know about whom it was revealed. And if I know that there is somebody who knows Allah's Book better than I, and he is at a place that camels can reach, I would go to him.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5002In-book reference : Book 66, Hadith 24USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 61, Hadith 524
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5002
This Hadith gives a clear picture of deep Quran knowledge and the desire to keep learning. Abdullah ibn Masud swears that he knew where each surah was revealed and about whom each verse was revealed. This shows his close attention to the Quran, not only in recitation but also in the setting of revelation mentioned in the text. Yet the strongest line is his readiness to travel. He says that if he knew someone had more knowledge of Allah’s Book and camels could reach that person, he would go to him. For anyone searching for a hadith about seeking knowledge of the Quran, this narration points to effort, respect for scholarship, and the wish to learn from those who know more.
What we learn from this hadith
- Real Quran study includes careful attention to revelation and meaning.
- A knowledgeable person can still be ready to learn from someone else.
- Traveling for beneficial knowledge is praised by the example in the text.
- Love for Allah’s Book should lead to effort, not pride.
