Verses 16-19 of Surah Qiyamah present the scheme of the Almighty regarding the final collection and arrangement of the Qur’an within the lifetime of the Prophet (sws). Imam Hamid al-Din Farahi in his exegesis on Surah Qiyamah has convincingly shown this.1

In order to understand how our traditional scholars interpret these verses, presented below is the summary of the above-mentioned verses of Surah Qiyamah by the following exegetes:

1. Abu Ja‘far al-Tabari (d. 310 AH)

2. Abu Ja‘far al-Tusi (d. 460 AH)

3. Muhammad ibn ‘Umar al-Zamakhshari (d. 540 AH)

4. Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (d. 606 AH)

5. ‘Imad al-Din Muhammad ibn Kathir (d. 774 AH)

1. Abu Ja‘far al-Tabari (d. 310 AH)2

Following is a verse by verse summary of what al-Tabari has recorded:3

Verse 16: لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ

Al-Tabari says that this verse has been interpreted in two different ways.

The First Opinion

When a portion of the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet (sws), he would show haste in acquiring it as he wanted to memorize it because of his love for the Qur’an. At this, he was told that he should not show haste because the Almighty will have him memorize it.

Al-Tabari records the following narratives in support of this opinion

(1)

حدثنا أبو كريب قال ثنا سفيان بن عيينة عن عمرو بن دينار عن سعيد بن جبير عن بن عباس أن النبي كان إذا نزل عليه القرآن تعجل يريد حفظه فقال الله تعالی ذكره لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به إن علينا جمعه وقرآنه وقال بن عباس هكذا وحرك شفتيه

Ibn ‘Abbas reports that when the Qur’an would be revealed to the Prophet, he would show haste intending to memorize it. At this, the Almighty said to him: لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَهُ. Ibn ‘Abbas said: “Like this” and he moved his lips.4

(2)

حدثني عبيد بن إسماعيل الهباري ويونس قالا ثنا سفيان عن عمرو عن سعيد بن جبير أن النبي كان إذا نزل عليه القرآن تعجل به يريد حفظه وقال يونس يحرك شفتيه ليحفظه فأنزل الله لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به إن علينا جمعه وقرآنه

Sa‘id ibn Jubayr said that when the Qur’an would be revealed to the Prophet, he would show haste intending to memorize it. [And Yunus said:] “He would move his lips to memorize it.” At this, the Almighty revealed لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَهُ.

(3)

حدثني عبيد بن إسماعيل الهباري قال ثنا سفيان عن بن أبي عائشة سمع سعيد بن جبير عن بن عباس مثله وقال لا تحرك به لسانك قال هكذا وحرك سفيان فاه

Sa‘id reported the same words from Ibn ‘Abbas as above and Ibn ‘Abbas said: “لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ. ‘Ubayd ibn Isma‘il al-Habbari said: ‘like this and Sufyan had moved his lips in this manner.’”

(4)

حدثنا سفيان بن وكيع قال ثنا جرير عن موسی بن أبي عائشة عن سعيد بن جبير عن بن عباس في قوله لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به قال كان النبي إذا نزل عليه جبريل بالوحي كان يحرك به لسانه وشفتيه فيشتد عليه فكان يعرف ذلك فيه فأنزل الله هذه الآية في لا أقسم بيوم القيامة لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به إن علينا جمعه وقرآنه

Sa‘id ibn Jubayr reports from Ibn ‘Abbas regarding لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ who said: “When Gabriel came with a revelation to the Prophet, he would move his tongue and lips and this would distress him and its effects could be seen on him. At this, the Almighty revealed the following verse: لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَهُ in [surah] لَا أُقْسِمُ بِيَوْمِ القِيَامَة.”5

(5)

حدثنا بن حميد قال ثنا مهران عن سفيان عن موسی بن أبي عائشة عن سعيد بن جبير عن بن عباس قال كان النبي إذا نزل عليه القرآن حرك شفتيه فيعرف بذلك فحاكاه سعيد فقال لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به قال لتعجل بأخذه

Ibn ‘Abbas said: “When the Qur’an would be revealed to the Prophet, he would move his lips and its effects could be seen on him.” Sa‘id imitated this. At this, the Almighty revealed: لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ. Ibn ‘Abbas said: “لِتَعْجَلَ بِه means: ‘[O Prophet!] you show haste in acquiring it.’”6

(6)

حدثنا محمد بن بشار قال ثنا عبد الرحمن قال ثنا سفيان عن موسی بن أبي عائشة قال سمعت سعيد بن جبير يقول لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به قال كان جبريل عليه السلام ينزل بالقرآن فيحرك به لسانه يستعجل به فقال لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به

Musa ibn Abi ‘A’ishah said: “I heard Sa‘id ibn Jubayr say [about the verse] لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ: ‘When Gabriel would reveal the Qur’an, he [the Prophet] would move his tongue to hastily acquire it. At this, the Almighty said: “لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ”.’”

(7)

حدثنا بن المثنی قال ثنا ربعی بن علية قال ثنا داود بن أبي هند عن الشعبي في هذه الآية لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به قال كان إذا نزل عليه الوحي عجل يتكلم به من حبه إياه فنزل لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به إن علينا جمعه وقرآنه

Da’ud ibn Abi Hind reports from al-Sha‘bi about the verse لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ. When a revelation came to him, he would hastily repeat it because of his love for it. At this it was revealed: لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِه إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَهُ ِ.

 (8)

حدثني يونس قال أخبرنا بن وهب قال قال بن زيد في قوله لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به قال لا تكلم بالذي أوحينا إليك حتی يقضي إليك وحيه فإذا قضينا إليك وحيه فتكلم به

Ibn Zayd said about the verse لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِه: “The Almighty said: ‘Do not repeat what is being revealed to you until the revelation is completed to you. When We have completed a revelation, then speak it out.’” 7

 (9) 

حدثت عن الحسين قال سمعت أبا معاذ يقول ثنا عبيد قال سمعت الضحاك يقول في قوله لا تحرك به لسانك قال كان نبي إذا نزل عليه الوحي من القرآن حرك به لسانه مخافة أن ينساه

‘Ubayd said: “I heard al-Dahhak say about the verse لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ: ‘When a portion of the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet, he would move his tongue fearing he might forget it.’”8

The Second Opinion

The Prophet (sws) in his routine would generally recite the Qur’an a lot lest he forget it. At this, he was told by the Almighty to not move his tongue to hastily acquire it, for it was His responsibility to collect the Qur’an for him and make him read it in a manner that he would not forget it.

Al-Tabari records the following narratives in support of this view:

(1)

حدثني محمد بن سعد قال ثني أبي قال ثني عمي قال ثني أبي عن أبيه عن بن عباس في قوله لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به قال كان لا يفتر من القرآن مخافة أن ينساه فقال الله لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به إن علينا أن نجمعه لك وقرآنه أن نقرئك فلا تنسی

Ibn ‘Abbas says regarding the verse لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ: “The Prophet would continuously recite the Qur’an fearing that he might forget it. At this, the Almighty revealed [to him]: ‘لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ.’ [The implication of the these words are: so rest assured], it is upon Us to collect it for you and qur’anahu [means]: We will read it to you in a manner that you will not forget it.”9

(2)

حدثني محمد بن عمرو قال ثنا أبو عاصم قال ثنا عيسی وحدثني الحارث قال ثنا الحسن قال ثنا ورقاء جميعا عن بن أبي نجيح عن مجاهد قوله لا تحرك به لسانك قال كان يستذكر القرآن مخافة النسيان فقال له كفيناكه يا محمد

Mujahid says regarding the verse لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ  that he [the Prophet] would keep reciting the Qur’an fearing that he might forget it. The Almighty said to him: “We are sufficient for you regarding it O Muhammad!”

(3)

حدثني يعقوب بن إبراهيم قال ثنا بن علية قال ثنا أبو رجاء عن الحسن في قوله لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به قال كان رسول الله يحرك به لسانه ليستذكره فقال الله لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به إنا سنحفظه عليك

Al-Hasan said about the verse لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ: “The Prophet would move his tongue to keep memorizing the Qur’an. At this, the Almighty said: ‘لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ. We will make you memorize it.’”

(4)

حدثنا بشر قال ثنا يزيد قال ثنا سعيد عن قتادة قوله لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به كان نبي الله يحرك به لسانه مخافة النسيان فأنزل الله ما تسمع

Qatadah said about the verse لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ: “The Prophet of God would move his tongue fearing forgetfulness. At this, the Almighty revealed what you hear.”

(5)

حدثنا بن عبد الأعلی قال ثنا بن ثور عن معمر عن قتادة لا تحرك به لسانك قال كان رسول الله يقرأ القرآن فيكثر مخافة أن ينسی

Qatadah said about [the verse] لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ : “The Prophet of God would read the Qur’an a lot fearing that he might forget it.”

Al-Tabari himself gives preference to the first opinion because in his view the verse clearly mentions that the Prophet (sws) moved his tongue to hastily acquire the revelation before it was collected in his heart. On the other hand, these narratives speak of the Prophet (sws) hastily moving his tongue after it had been collected in his heart whilst reading it in his general routine for fear of forgetting it.

Verse 17: إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَهُ

Al-Tabari records that in the above verse whilst there is no difference of opinion about the word جَمْعَهُ, the word قُرْآنَه has been interpreted in two ways.

The First Opinion

The word وَقُرْآنَه means “reading.” Al-Tabari records the following narratives in support of this opinion:

(1)

حدثنا بن حميد قال ثنا مهران عن سفيان عن موسی بن أبي عائشة عن سعيد بن جبير عن بن عباس إن علينا جمعه قال في صدرك وقرآنه قال تقرؤه بعد

Sa‘id ibn Jubayr reports from Ibn ‘Abbas about the [meaning of the word جَمْعَهُ in the verse] إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَه: “collect [this Qur’an] in your heart” and [about the meaning of the word] وَقُرْآنَه “you can read it afterwards.”10

(2)

حدثني محمد بن سعد قال ثني أبي قال ثني عمي قال ثني أبي عن أبيه عن بن عباس إن علينا جمعه وقرآنه أن نجمعه لك وقرآنه أن نقرئك فلا تنسی

Ibn ‘Abbas says about the [meaning of the word جَمْعَهُ in the verse] إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَه: “We will collect it for you” and وَقُرْآنَه means: “We will read it out to you so that you will not forget.”11

 (3)

حدثت عن الحسين قال سمعت أبا معاذ يقول ثنا عبيد قال سمعت الضحاك يقول في قوله إن علينا جمعه وقرآنه يقول إن علينا أن نجمعه لك حتی نثبته في قلبك

Al-Dahhak says about the verse إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَه: “It is upon Us to collect it for you so that it is etched in your heart.”12

The Second Opinion

The word وَقُرْآنَه means “arrangement.” Al-Tabari says that as per this interpretation, the verse would mean that it is the responsibility of the Almighty to collect the Qur’an in the Prophet’s heart so that he is able to memorize it and arrange it.

Following are the narratives he cites in support of this opinion:

(1)

حدثنا بشر قال ثنا يزيد قال ثنا سعيد عن قتادة قوله إن علينا جمعه وقرآنه يقول حفظه وتأليفه

Qatadah says about إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَه that [قرآنه] means its preservation and arrangement.

(2)

حدثنا بن عبد الأعلی قال ثنا بن ثور عن معمر عن قتادة جمعه وقرآنه قال حفظه وتأليفه

Qatadah says about جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَه that [قرآنه] means its preservation and arrangement.

Al-Tabari says Qatadah’s opinion is based on the meaning of the word qara’a “merge and combine”. It is used in this sense in the following couplet of ‘Amr ibn Kulthum:

ذراعي عيطل أدماء بكر

هجان اللون لم تقرأ جنينا

 (She would show you two wrists which are like the hands of a she-camel, long-necked, fair-coloured and young whose womb is yet to be amalgamated with a child).

Verse 18:  فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَهُ

Al-Tabari has recorded the following three opinions about this verse.

The First Opinion

The first opinion is: “When We reveal this Qur’an, listen intently to it.”

Following are the narratives al-Tabari cites in support of this opinion:

(1)

حدثنا بن حميد قال ثنا مهران عن سفيان عن منصور وبن أبي عائشة عن سعيد بن جبير عن بن عباس فإذا قرأناه فإذا أنزلناه إليك فاتبع قرآنه قال فاستمع قرآنه

Ibn ‘Abbas has opined that فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ means: “When We have revealed it to you” and فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَهُ means: “Listen to it intently.”13

(2)

حدثنا سفيان بن وكيع قال ثنا جرير عن موسی بن أبي عائشة عن سعيد بن جبير عن بن عباس فإذا قرأناه فاتبع قرآنه فإذا أنزلناه إليك فاستمع له

Ibn ‘Abbas has said that فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَهُ means: “When We have revealed it, listen to it intently.”14

The Second Opinion

The second opinion is: “When the Qur’an is read out to you, follow its injunctions and directives.”

Following are the narratives al-Tabari cites in support of this opinion:

(1)

حدثني محمد بن سعد قال ثني أبي قال ثني عمي قال ثني أبي عن أبيه عن بن عباس فإذا قرأناه فاتبع قرآنه يقول إذا تلي عليك فاتبع ما فيه

 Ibn Abbas reported that the meaning of فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَه is: “When the Qur’an is recited out to you, follow what is in it.”15

(2)

حدثنا بشر قال ثنا يزيد قال ثنا سعيد عن قتادة فإذا قرأناه فاتبع قرآنه يقول اتبع حلاله واجتنب حرامه

Qatadah says فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَه means: “Follow what is allowed in it and abstain from what is forbidden in it.”

(3)

حدثنا بن عبد الأعلی قال ثنا بن ثور عن معمر عن قتادة فإذا قرأناه فاتبع قرآنه يقول فاتبع حلاله واجتنب حرامه

Qatadah says فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَه means: “Follow what is allowed in it and abstain from what is forbidden in it.”

(4)

حدثت عن الحسين قال سمعت أبا معاذ يقول ثنا عبيد قال سمعت الضحاك يقول في قوله فاتبع قرآنه يقول اتبع ما فيه

Al-Dahhak says فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَه means: “Follow what is in it.”16

According to this opinion, فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَه means: “When We have made it clear, practice what it says.”

The narrative, al-Tabari cites in support of it is:

حدثنا علي قال ثنا أبو صالح قال ثني معاوية عن علي عن بن عباس قوله فإذا قرأناه فاتبع قرآنه يقول اعمل به

Ibn ‘Abbas says that in فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَه [the expression فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَه means]: “practice what it says.”17

According to al-Tabari, the third opinion is the most tenable because this falls in a logical sequence that once the Qur’an has been collected in the Prophet’s heart and read out to him, he should follow what it says.

Verse 19 ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ

According to al-Tabari, there are two opinions in the interpretation of this verse.

The First Opinion

The first opinion is that it is the responsibility of the Almighty to state what is the allowed and what is the prohibited in the Qur’an.

Al-Tabari cites the following narrative cited in support of this opinion:

(1)

حدثني محمد بن سعد قال ثني أبي قال ثني عمي قال ثني أبي عن أبيه عن بن عباس ثم إن علينا بيانه يقول حلاله وحرامه فذلك بيانه

Ibn ‘Abbas says that ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ means what it allows and what it prohibits. This is what is meant by bayan.18

(2)

حدثنا بشر قال ثنا يزيد قال ثنا سعيد عن قتادة ثم إن علينا بيانه بيان حلاله واجتناب حرامه ومعصيته وطاعته

Qatadah says that ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ is a mention of what is allowed and abstention from what is prohibited and a mention of what is His disobedience and what is His obedience.

The Second Opinion

The second opinion is: “It is Our responsibility to explain it through your tongue.”

He cites the following narrative in support of this opinion:

حدثنا بن حميد قال ثنا مهران عن سفيان عن موسی بن أبي عائشة عن سعيد بن جبير عن بن عباس ثم إن علينا بيانه قال تبيانه بلسانك

Ibn ‘Abbas said that ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَه means: “its explanation through your tongue.” 19

2. Abu Ja‘far al-Tusi20 (d. 460 AH)

Verse 16: لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِه

While interpreting this verse, al-Tusi refers to the narratives of Ibn ‘Abbas, Sa‘id ibn Jubayr and al-Dahhak which say that whenever a portion of the Qur’an would be revealed to the Prophet (sws), he would hastily move his tongue to acquire it because of his immense love for it.

Verse 17: إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَه

While referring to the narratives of Ibn ‘Abbas and al-Dahhak, al-Tusi says that the verse means that it is upon the Almighty to collect the Qur’an in the heart of the Prophet (sws) and read it out to him so that it is possible for him to read it.

While referring to Qatadah, he says that the verse means that it is upon the Almighty to collect the Qur’an in the Prophet’s heart and arrange it in the way it has been revealed to him.21

In another narrative, Ibn ‘Abbas says that the verse means: “It is Our responsibility to explain what is allowed and forbidden by the Qur’an by mentioning it to you.”

According to a narrative by Qatadah, it means: “We will mention its directives to you and explain its meanings to you once you have memorized it.”

According to al-Balkhi, the verse does not refer to the Qur’an at all. It refers to people reading their accounts on the Day of Judgement because the context guides us to this meaning and there is nothing in it which guides us to relate this reading to the Qur’an or to anything related to the directives of this world. Actually, in this verse a person is admonished and scolded for showing haste.

Verse 18: فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَهُ

While referring to Ibn ‘Abbas (rta), al-Tusi says that the verse means: “When We recite it to you, follow this reading by reading after it.”

According to Qatadah and Dahhak, the meaning of the verse is: “He should practically adhere to its directives and follow what is allowed and forbidden by it.”

Another meaning is that when Gabriel reads the revelation to him, he should follow this reading.

Verse 19: ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ

Al-Tusi says that according to Qatadah, this verse means that the Almighty will explain the meaning of the revelation to the Prophet (sws) once he memorizes it.

3. Muhammad ibn ‘Umar al-Zamakhshari (d. 538 AH)

Here is what Zamakhshari has written while explaining these verses:22

وكان رسول اللّه  صلی اللّٰه عليه وسلم  إذا لقن الوحي نازع جبريل القراءة ولم يصبر إلی أن يتمها مسارعة إلی الحفظ وخوفًا من أن يتفلت منه فأمر بأن يستنصت له ملقيًا إليه بقلبه وسمعه حتی يقضی إليه وحيه ثم يقفيه بالدراسة إلی أن يرسخ فيه والمعنی لا تحرّك لسانك بقراءة الوحي ما دام جبريل صلوات الله عليه يقرأ لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ لتأخذه علی عجلة ولئلا يتفلت منك ثم علل النهي عن العجلة بقوله إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ في صدرك وإثبات قراءته في لسانك فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ جعل قراءة جبريل قراءته والقرآن القراءة فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْءانَهُ فكن مقفيًا له فيه ولا تراسله وطأمن نفسك أنه لا يبقی غير محفوظ فنحن في ضمان تحفيظه ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ إذا أشكل عليك شيء من معانيه كأنه كان يعجل في الحفظ والسؤال عن المعنی جميعًا كما ترى بعض الحراص علی العلم ونحوه وَلاَ تَعْجَلْ بِالْقُرْءانِ مِن قَبْلِ إَن يُقْضَی إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُ 

 When a revelation came to the Prophet (sws), he would try to immediately receive the Qur’an from Gabriel and in his haste to memorize it and for fear of forgetting it would not wait for Gabriel to complete reciting the revelation. He was directed to intently listen with his heart and ears to the revelation until it was completed; he was to then repeat it until he fully memorized it. And [thus] the implied meaning is: “Do not move your tongue in reciting the revelation as long as Gabriel is reciting it to you in order to hastily acquire the revelation and so that it is not lost from you.” [The Almighty] has then mentioned the reason for stopping him from this haste by the words: إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ ie. collecting it in your heart and firmly rooting its recital on your tongue. The words فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ  mean making of Gabriel’s recital as your recital and the word القرآن means recital. [The words] فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْءانَهُ  mean: “[O Prophet!] follow this recital and do not vie with Gabriel and rest assured that it will not remain unprotected; We guarantee its protection.” [The words] ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ  [mean: “We will explain] any meaning which remains unclear to you.” It is as if the Prophet showed haste both in memorizing the revelation and in asking for an explanation of its meanings as you see in people who have a great thirst for knowledge. [A verse of similar meaning is:] وَلاَ تَعْجَلْ بِالْقُرْءانِ مِن قَبْلِ إَن يُقْضَی إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُ  .

4. Fakhr al-Din al-Razi23 (d. 606 AH)

Verse 16: لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ لاَ تُحَرّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ

The Prophet (sws) would swiftly move his tongue to acquire the Qur’an before Gabriel finished reciting it to him lest he might forget it, as is recorded in the narrative of Sa‘id ibn Jubayr from Ibn ‘Abbas.

Verse 17: إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَه

The word jam‘ here refers to collection in the heart of the Prophet (sws) and its memorization by him.

The word qur’anahu can have two meanings:

As per the first of these meanings, it refers to recital. In this sense, there are again two possibilities: one of them is that Gabriel will keep reciting it to the Prophet (sws) until he memorizes it. The other possibility is that the Almighty will recite it to the Prophet (sws) in such a manner that he will not forget it and this is the same as is mentioned in the Qur’anic verse: سَنُقْرِئُكَ فَلاَ تَنسَی.24 In the first case, the reader would be Gabriel and in the second the reader would be Muhammad (sws).

As per the second of its meanings, it refers to collection and arrangement as is used in the expression:  ما قرأت الناقة سلا قط (ما رمت بولد وما أسقطت ولداً قط وما طرحت) and in the utterance of ‘Amr ibn Kulthum.25 Al-Razi then says that if the word qur’anahu is used in the second of these meanings, then the issue of repetition comes up because in this case jam‘ and qur’anahu would have the same meaning. He says one option to resolve this is to take jam‘ to mean collection in the external world and to take qur’anahu to mean collection in the heart and memorization.26

Verse 18 فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَهُ

There can be two interpretations of فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَهُ. The first of these attributed to Qatadah is: “Follow what is allowed by the Qur’an and refrain from what is prohibited by it.” The second is: “Follow its recital and do not recite it with Gabriel; listen quietly to what Gabriel recites until he finishes; once he finishes reciting it, recite what he has recited to you.”

Al-Razi gives preference to the latter view because he thinks that the context and background supports this view and the narrative of Ibn ‘Abbas (rta) also says that after this instance when Gabriel came to him with a revelation, he would intently listen to him and would recite once he went away.

Verse 19 ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ

The Prophet (sws) would read the Qur’an with Gabriel as soon as the latter delivered it to him and during this recital would ask about the meanings of the verse and its difficulties because of his immense desire to acquire knowledge. He was stopped from both those practices: he was stopped from reading the Qur’an together with Gabriel in the verse فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْءانَهُ and from asking questions about the meanings of the revelation in the verse ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ.

5. Ibn Kathir27 (d. 774 AH)

هذا تعليم من اللّٰه عز وجل لرسوله صلی اللّٰه عليه وآله وسلم في كيفية تلقيه الوحي من الملك فإنه كان يبادر إلی أخذه ويسابق الملك في قراءته فأمره اللّٰه عز وجل إذا جاءه الملك بالوحي أن يستمع له وتكفل اللّٰه له أن يجمعه في صدره وأن ييسره لأدائه علی الوجه الذي ألقاه إليه وأن يبينه له ويفسره ويوضحه فالحالة الأولی جمعه في صدره والثانية تلاوته والثالثة تفسيره وإيضاح معناه ولهذا قال تعالی  لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به   أي بالقرآن كما قال تعالی   ولا تعجل بالقرآن من قبل أن يقضی إليك وحيه وقل رب زدني علما   ثم قال تعالی   إن علينا جمعه   أي في صدرك   وقرآنه   أي أن تقرأه   فإذا قرأناه   أي إذا تلاه عليك الملك عن اللّٰه تعالی   فاتبع قرآنه   أي فاستمع له ثم اقرأه كما أقرأك   ثم إن علينا بيانه   اي بعد حفظه وتلاوته نبينه لك ونوضحه ونلهمك معناه علی ما أردنا وشرعنا قال الإمام أحمد 1 343 حدثنا عبد الرحمن عن أبي عوانة عن موسی بن أبي عائشة عن سعيد بن جبير عن ابن عباس قال كان رسول الله  صلی الله عليه وسلم  يعالج من التنزيل شدة فكان يحرك شفتيه قال فقال لي ابن عباس أنا أحرك شفتي كما كان رسول الله  صلی الله عليه وسلم  يحرك شفتيه وقال لي سعيد وأنا أحرك شفتي كما رأيت ابن عباس يحرك شفتيه فأنزل الله عز وجل   لاتحرك به لسانك لتعجل به إنا علينا جمعه وقرآنه قال جمعه في صدرك ثم تقرأه   فإذا قرأناه فاتبع قرآنه   أي فاستمع له وأنصت   ثم إن علينا بيانه   فكان بعد ذلك إذا انطلق جبريل قرأه كما أقرأه وقد رواه البخاري 4928 ومسلم 248 من غير وجه عن موسی بن أبي عائشة به ولفظ البخاري 4929 فكان إذا أتاه جبريل أطرق فإذا ذهب قرأه كما وعد الله عز وجل قال ابن أبي حاتم حدثنا أبو سعيد الأشج حدثنا أبو يحيی التيمي حدثنا موسی بن أبي عائشة عن سعيد بن جبير عن ابن عباس قال كان رسول اللّٰه  صلی اللّٰه عليه وسلم  إذا أنزل عليه الوحي يلقی منه شدة وكان إذا نزل عليه عرف في تحريكه شفتيه يتلقی أوله ويحرك به شفتيه خشية أن ينسی أوله قبل أن يفرغ من آخره فأنزل اللّٰه تعالی  لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به   وهكذا قال الشعبي والحسن البصري وقتادة ومجاهد والضحاك وغير واحد إن هذه الآية نزلت في ذلك وقد روى ابن جرير من طريق العوفي عن ابن عباس   لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به   قال كان لا يفتر من القراءة مخافة أن ينساه فقال اللّٰه تعالی  لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به إن علينا جمعه   أن نجمعه لك   وقرآنه   أن نقرئك فلا تنسی وقال ابن عباس وعطية العوفي   ثم إن علينا بيانه   تبيين حلاله وحرامه وكذا قال قتادة

These verses are an instruction from God Almighty to His Messenger (sws) about the mode of acquiring the revelation from the angel. This is because he showed haste in acquiring it and vied with the angel in reciting it. So, the Almighty directed him that when the angel came to him with a revelation, he was to listen to him and the Almighty Himself will be responsible for gathering it in his heart and make it easy for him to pronounce it the way it has been revealed to him and that He will explain and elucidate it for him. Thus the first phase is collection in his heart, the second phase is his recital and the third phase is its explanation and the elucidation of its meanings. For this reason it was said: لِتَعْجَلَ بِهِ لاَ تُحَرّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ. [the antecedent of the pronoun in بِه] is the Qur’an. A verse of similar meaning is:   وَلاَ تَعْجَلْ بِالْقُرْءانِ مِن قَبْلِ إَن يُقْضَی إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُ وَ قُلْ رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا . [In the next verse:] إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَه the word jam‘ahu means “[collect it] in your heart” and qur’anahu means “so that you can read it.” [The words] فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ mean: “When the angel reads it out to you from the Almighty  فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْءانَهُie. listen to it and then read it the way he read it to you.” [The verse:]إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ  ثُمَّ means: “After you have memorized it and read it, We will explain it to you and reveal its meanings to you in accordance with our intent and what We want to make as law.” Imam Ahmad has narrated: “ ‘Abd al-Rahman has narrated to me from Ibn Abi Awanah who reports from Musa ibn Abi ‘A’ishah who reports from Sa‘id ibn Jubayr who reports from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Prophet would feel the burden of a revelation and would move his lips. Sa‘id said: ‘Ibn ‘Abbas said to me: I move my lips the way the Prophet moved them and Musa ibn Abi ‘A’ishah said that Sa‘id said: I move my lips the way I saw Ibn ‘Abbas moving them. At this, the Almighty revealed:إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَهُ  لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِه. The word jam‘ahu means collection in your heart then you can read it. [The words:] فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَه mean listen to it and remain silent. [ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ:] So afterwards, when Gabriel went away, he would read the way he had read it to him.” Al-Bukhari and Muslim have recorded this through some variants from Musa ibn Abi ‘A’ishah and the words recorded by al-Bukhari are: “When Gabriel would come, he would remain silent and when he would go away, he would read it the way the Almighty promised him.” Ibn Abi Hatim said: “Abu Sa‘id al-Ashaj narrated to us that Abu Yahya al-Taymi narrated to us that Musa ibn Abi ‘A’ishah reported to us from Sa‘id ibn Jubayr who reported from Ibn ‘Abbas: ‘When a revelation would descend on the Prophet (sws), he would feel distressed and the effects of this revelation would be evident on him as his lips would move and he would move his lips fearing that he might forget its initial part before Gabriel would finish it. At this, the Almighty revealed لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِه.’” Similarly, al-Sha‘bi, al-Hasan al-Basri, Qatadah, Mujahid and al-Dahhak and others are of the opinion that this verse was revealed for the reason stated. Ibn Jarir has narrated a report in which al-‘Awfi reports from Ibn ‘Abbas that لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِه [refers to the fact] the Prophet would not stop reciting [the Qur’an] fearing that he might forget it. At this, the Almighty revealed لَا تُحَرِّكْ بِهِ لِسَانَكَ لِتَعْجَلَ بِه إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ : ie “We will collect it for you.” وَقُرْآنَهُ : ie “We will read it to you such that you will not forget it.” ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ: ie “An explanation of what is allowed in the Qur’an and what is forbidden.” Similar is what Qatadah has said.

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