Page 110 - Tafsir of surat at tawba repentance

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“Do not move your tongue to hastily (learn) it. Surely I will collect
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and recite it. So, when I recite it, follow its recital.”

It was very important that the Prophet (r) remember all that was revealed to him,
because he could neither read nor write.

The Prophet (r) passed on all of the Qur’aan to his companions before he
died. He used a number of different ways to make sure that they memorized and
recorded it exactly as he learned it.

1. The Prophet (r) used to recite aloud various parts of the Qur’aan in the
salaahs (congregational prayers). In that way, his followers used to hear
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parts of the Qur’aan daily.
2. Everyone who entered Islaam would be taught parts of the Qur’aan that
they would have to use in their daily prayers. Thus, Muslims were always
learning or teaching various parts of the Qur’aan.
3. The Prophet (r) informed his followers that the best of them were those
who learned and taught the Qur’aan. This encouraged them to make even
greater efforts to memorize the Qur’aan and teach it to others.

4. Those who were able to read and write were told by the Prophet (r) to
write down the various sections of the Qur’aan as they were revealed. The
Prophet (r) would tell them the order in which they should record the
verses. Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib stated that when the verse, “Those believers
who sit (at home) are not equal with those who strive,” was revealed,
the Prophet (r) said, “Call So-and-so.” He came with an inkpot and a
wooden board or a shoulder blade. The Prophet (r) said, “Write: ‘Those
believers who sit (at home) are not equal with those who strive in the
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cause of Allaah...’ ”

Because there was no paper in Arabia at that time, the Qur’aan was written down
on anything that was available. The companions wrote the verses of the Qur’aan

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Soorah al-Qiyaamah (75):16-18.
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Umm Hishaam bint Haarithah reported that she memorized Soorah Qaaf simply from hearing
the Prophet (r) recite it during the khutbah on Fridays. (Sahih Muslim, vol. 2, p. 412, nos. 1893-
4.)
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Soorah an-Nisaa’ (4):95. The hadeeth was collected by al-Bukhaaree, Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol. 6,
p. 95, no. 118.

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