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Authentic hadith article

The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not know where Surahs were to be separated until "In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful" was revealed to him

AuthenticNarrated by Abu DāwūdHadeethEnc #65051
Arabic hadith text

عَنِ ‌ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ:

عَنِ ‌ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَليهِ وَسَلَّمَ لا يَعْرِفُ فَصْلَ السُّورةِ حَتَّى تَنْزِلَ عَليْهِ {بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ}.

English translation

Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:

Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not know where Surahs were to be separated until "In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful" was revealed to him.

Explanation

Explanation of the hadith

Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) points out that the Qur’an's surahs would reveal to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) while he did not know where they should end and be separated, until "In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful" was revealed to him; thereupon, he knew that the previous surah came to an end and this was the beginning of a new surah.

Lessons

Benefits from the hadith

  1. Basmalah "In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful" separates between surahs, except between Surat al-Anfāl and Surat at-Tawbah.
Topics
Revelation and Collection of the Qur'anCollecting the Qur'anStops and Starts

Related concept articles

Mercy · Repentance · Knowledge · Peace and reconciliation · Revelation · Prophethood