6/48. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 820a — Ease for the Ummah in Qur'an Recitation
The clarification that the Qur’an was revealed in seven ahruf (modes of recitation), and clarifying its meaning
Qur'an Recitation Ease: Ubayy b. Ka'b and the Seven Dialects
Sahih Muslim : 820a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 820a
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أَبِي خَالِدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عِيسَى بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، عَنْ أُبَىِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، قَالَ كُنْتُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ يُصَلِّي فَقَرَأَ قِرَاءَةً أَنْكَرْتُهَا عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ آخَرُ فَقَرَأَ قِرَاءَةً سِوَى قِرَاءَةِ صَاحِبِهِ فَلَمَّا قَضَيْنَا الصَّلاَةَ دَخَلْنَا جَمِيعًا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ هَذَا قَرَأَ قِرَاءَةً أَنْكَرْتُهَا عَلَيْهِ وَدَخَلَ آخَرُ فَقَرَأَ سِوَى قِرَاءَةِ صَاحِبِهِ فَأَمَرَهُمَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَرَءَا فَحَسَّنَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم شَأْنَهُمَا فَسُقِطَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنَ التَّكْذِيبِ وَلاَ إِذْ كُنْتُ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَلَمَّا رَأَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَا قَدْ غَشِيَنِي ضَرَبَ فِي صَدْرِي فَفِضْتُ عَرَقًا وَكَأَنَّمَا أَنْظُرُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَرَقًا فَقَالَ لِي " يَا أُبَىُّ أُرْسِلَ إِلَىَّ أَنِ اقْرَإِ الْقُرْآنَ عَلَى حَرْفٍ فَرَدَدْتُ إِلَيْهِ أَنْ هَوِّنْ عَلَى أُمَّتِي .
Ubayy bin Ka'b Narrated from:
I was in the mosque when a man entered and prayed and recited (the Qur'in) in a style to which I objected. Then another man entered (the mosque) and recited in a style different from that of his companion. When we had finished the prayer, we all went to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said to him: This man recited in a style to which I objected, and the other entered and recited in a style different from that of his companion.The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) asked them to recite and so they recited, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) expressed approval of their affairs (their modes of recitation). and there occurred In my mind a sort of denial which did not occur even during the Days of Ignorance. When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saw how I was affected (by a wrong idea), he struck my chest, whereupon I broke into sweating and felt as though I were looking at Allah with fear.He (the Holy Prophet) said to me: Ubayy. a message was sent to me to recite the Qur'an in one dialect, and I replied: Make (things) easy for my people. It was conveyed to me for the second time that it should be recited in two dialects. I again replied to him: Make affairs easy for my people. It was again conveyed to me for the third time to recite in seven dialects And (I was further told): You have got a seeking for every reply that I sent you, which you should seek from Me.I said: O Allah! forgive my people, forgive my people, and I have deferred the third one for the day on which the entire creation will turn to me, including even Ibrahim (peace be upon him) (for intercession).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 820aIn-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 332USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1787
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 820a
This hadith about Qur'an recitation ease is both personal and powerful. Ubayy b. Ka'b heard two men recite in different styles and objected in his heart. When they went to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, he asked both men to recite and approved their recitations. Ubayy then felt a severe inner shock, and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم noticed it. He struck his chest, and Ubayy became fearful and aware. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم explained that he had been told to recite the Qur'an in one dialect, but he asked for ease for his people. The matter was increased until it reached seven dialects. He also said he had requests to make, and he prayed, O Allah, forgive my people, twice, while deferring the third. The Hadith teaches mercy, ease, and trust in Prophetic guidance.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم approved the different recitations in this report.
- He asked for ease for his people when told about one dialect.
- Ubayy's inner struggle was treated with direct Prophetic care.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed for forgiveness for his people.
