4/32. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 448a — Listening Before Reciting Revelation
Listening to the Recitation
Do Not Move Your Tongue Hadith: Trusting Allah’s Promise
Sahih Muslim : 448a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 448a
وَحَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَأَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ جَرِيرٍ، - قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ، - عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ أَبِي عَائِشَةَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ { لاَ تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ} قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا نَزَلَ عَلَيْهِ جِبْرِيلُ بِالْوَحْىِ كَانَ مِمَّا يُحَرِّكُ بِهِ لِسَانَهُ وَشَفَتَيْهِ فَيَشْتَدُّ عَلَيْهِ فَكَانَ ذَلِكَ يُعْرَفُ مِنْهُ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى { لاَ تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ} أَخْذَهُ { إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَهُ} إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا أَنْ نَجْمَعَهُ فِي صَدْرِكَ . وَقُرْآنَهُ فَتَقْرَأُهُ { فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَهُ} قَالَ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فَاسْتَمِعْ لَهُ { إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ} أَنْ نُبَيِّنَهُ بِلِسَانِكَ فَكَانَ إِذَا أَتَاهُ جِبْرِيلُ أَطْرَقَ فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ قَرَأَهُ كَمَا وَعَدَهُ اللَّهُ .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
Ibn 'Abbas reported with regard to the words of Allah, Great and Glorious: " Move not thy tongue therewith" (Ixxv. 16) that when Gabriel brought revelation to him (the Holy Prophet) he moved his tongue and lips (with a view to committing it to memory instantly). This was something hard for him and it was visible (from his face).Then Allah, the Exalted. revealed this a" Move not thy tongue therewith to make haste (in memorising it). Surely on us rests the collecting of it and the reciting of it" (ixxv. 16), i. e. Verily it rests with Us that We would preserve it in your heart and (enable you) to recite it You would recite it when We would recite it and so follow its recitation, and He (Allah) said:" We revealed it, so listen to it attentively. Verily its exposition rests with Us. i. e. We would make it deliver by your tongue." So when Gabriel came to him (to the Holy Prophet), he kept silence, and when he went away he recited as Allah had promised him.
[2] Al-Qiyâmah 75:16. [1] Al-Qiyâmah 75:16-19.Reference : Sahih Muslim 448aIn-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 166USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 900
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 448a
This do not move your tongue hadith explains a moment connected to revelation. Ibn Abbas reports that when Gabriel brought revelation to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, he moved his tongue and lips because he wanted to commit it to memory at once. This was hard for him and visible on his face. Then Allah revealed the words, “Move not thy tongue therewith to make haste,” and explained that its collection and recitation rested with Allah. After that, when Gabriel came, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم kept silent and listened. When Gabriel left, he recited as Allah had promised him. The main lesson is not about ordinary study habits. It is about this special event of revelation and Allah’s promise to preserve it in the Prophet’s heart and on his tongue.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was eager to preserve the revelation as it came.
- Allah promised the collection, recitation, and explanation of the Qur’an in this event.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم listened to Gabriel, then recited after Gabriel left.
