66/29. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5046 — Madd in Quran Recitation
Prolonging certain sounds while reciting the Qur'an
Madd in Quran Recitation: How the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم Recited Bismillah
Sahih Bukhari : 5046
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5046
حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَاصِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هَمَّامٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، قَالَ سُئِلَ أَنَسٌ كَيْفَ كَانَتْ قِرَاءَةُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم. فَقَالَ كَانَتْ مَدًّا. ثُمَّ قَرَأَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، يَمُدُّ بِبِسْمِ اللَّهِ، وَيَمُدُّ بِالرَّحْمَنِ، وَيَمُدُّ بِالرَّحِيمِ.
Qatada Narrated from:
Anas was asked, "How was the recitation (of the Qur'an) of the Prophet?' He replied, "It was characterized by the prolongation of certain sounds." He then recited: In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful prolonging the pronunciation of 'In the Name of Allah, 'the most Beneficent,' and 'the Most Merciful.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5046In-book reference : Book 66, Hadith 70USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 61, Hadith 566
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5046
This Hadith gives a clearer example of the Prophet’s Quran recitation. Anas was asked how the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم recited, and he said that it was marked by prolongation. Then he recited Bismillah and showed prolongation in Bismillah, Ar-Rahman, and Ar-Rahim. This makes the Hadith very useful for people searching for madd in Quran recitation or the Prophet’s recitation of Bismillah. The text does not turn this into a full technical lesson, so we should not add extra rules beyond it. What it does show is that the Prophet’s recitation had measured length, beauty, and clarity. It also shows that Anas did not only describe the recitation with words; he demonstrated it by reciting.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet’s recitation of Bismillah included prolongation in specific words.
- A teacher may explain Quran recitation by demonstrating it aloud.
- Careful sound and measured pace are part of the recitation described in this Hadith.
