Abu 'Abd al-Rahman, how do you recite this word (alif) or (ya)? Would you read It as: min ma'in ghaira asin or au min ma'in ghaira ghaira yasin. (al-Qur'an, xlvii. 15)? 'Abdullah said: You (seem to) have memorised the whole of the Qur'an except this. He (again) said: I recite all the mufassal surahs in one rak'ah. Upon this 'Abdullah said: (You must have been reciting It) hastily like the recitation of poetry. Verily. there are people who recite the Qur'an, but it does not go down beyond their collar bones. It is (a fact with the Qur'an) that it is beneficial only when it settles in the heart and is rooted deeply in it. The best of (the acts) in prayer are bowing and prostration. I am quite aware of the occasions when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) combined together two surahs in every rak'ah. 'Abdullah then stood up and went out with 'Alqama following in his footstep. He said Ibn Numair had told him that the narration was like that:" A person belonging to Banu Bajila came to 'Abdullah," and he did not mention (the name of) Nahik b. Sinan.
Narrated by Abu Wa'il reported that a person named Nabik b. Sinan came to Abdullah (b. Mas'ud) and said:
Context
In this hadith, Abdullah ibn Mas'ud addresses a man who boasts about his ability to recite the entire Qur'an in a single rak'ah. Abdullah warns him that such hasty recitation is akin to poetry and emphasizes that true understanding and benefit from the Qur'an come when it is deeply rooted in the heart. He highlights the importance of the physical acts of prayer, such as bowing and prostration, as essential components of worship, and recalls how the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would combine certain surahs in prayer.
Modern Application
This hadith reminds us that the quality of our prayers is more important than the quantity. In today's fast-paced world, it encourages believers to focus on understanding and reflecting on their prayers rather than rushing through them. Taking time to connect spiritually during prayer can lead to a more fulfilling worship experience.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Quran because it emphasizes the importance of understanding the Qur'an and the quality of prayer over mere recitation.
This hadith is #1800 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Prayer - Travellers. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Abu Wa'il reported that a person named Nabik b. Sinan came to Abdullah (b. Mas'ud) and said:.
