6/50. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 824a — Recitation of Surah Al-Lail
Concerning various recitations
Hadith About Surah Al-Lail Recitation and Abu Darda'
Sahih Muslim : 824a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 824a
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَأَبُو كُرَيْبٍ - وَاللَّفْظُ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ - قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، قَالَ قَدِمْنَا الشَّامَ فَأَتَانَا أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ فَقَالَ أَفِيكُمْ أَحَدٌ يَقْرَأُ عَلَى قِرَاءَةِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ أَنَا . قَالَ فَكَيْفَ سَمِعْتَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ يَقْرَأُ هَذِهِ الآيَةَ { وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَى} قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقْرَأُ { وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَى * وَالذَّكَرِ وَالأُنْثَى} . قَالَ وَأَنَا وَاللَّهِ هَكَذَا سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَؤُهَا وَلَكِنْ هَؤُلاَءِ يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ أَقْرَأَ وَمَا خَلَقَ . فَلاَ أُتَابِعُهُمْ .
Alqama Narrated from:
We went to Syria and Abu Darda' came to us and said: Is there anyone among you who recites according to the recitation of Abdullah? I said: Yes, it is I. He again said: How did you hear 'Abdullah reciting this verse: (wa'l-lail-i-idha yaghsha = when the night covers)? He ('Alqama) said: I heard him reciting it (like this) (wa'l-lail-i-idha yaghsha) wa-dhakar wal untha = when the night covers and the males and the females). Upon this he said: By Allah, I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) reciting in this way, but they (the Muslims of Syria) desire us to recite: (wa ma khalaqa), but I do not yield to their desire.
[1] Al-Lail 92:1. [2] According to the recitation of ‘Abdullâh bin Mas’ûd, the phrase wa mâ khalaqa (and by Him Who created) is not present.Reference : Sahih Muslim 824aIn-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 344USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1799
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 824a
This hadith about Surah Al-Lail recitation records a meeting in Syria. Abu Darda' asked whether anyone there recited according to the recitation of 'Abdullah. 'Alqama said that he did. Abu Darda' then asked how he heard 'Abdullah recite the verse about the night when it covers. 'Alqama gave the wording he had heard. Abu Darda' replied with an oath that he heard the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم reciting in that way. The report is mainly about preserving a heard recitation. It also shows that Abu Darda' was firm about what he had heard, even when others wanted him to recite another wording.
What we learn from this hadith
- Abu Darda' checked a recitation by asking someone who learned from 'Abdullah.
- 'Alqama answered based on what he had heard.
- Abu Darda' held firmly to the recitation he heard from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- The hadith centers on transmitted recitation, not personal preference.
