`Affan told us: Shu`bah told us: `Alqamah bin Marthad told me... and he said in it: “Whoever learns the Qur`an or teaches it.”
Tafsir of the Hadith from Musnad Uthman ibn Affan
This narration from Musnad Ahmad (412, 413) through the chain of 'Affan → Shu'bah → 'Alqamah bin Marthad contains the noble statement: "Whoever learns the Qur'an or teaches it."
Exposition of the Text
The phrase "learns the Qur'an" encompasses both memorization of its words and comprehension of its meanings. Learning involves proper recitation (tajwid), understanding its tafsir, and implementing its rulings.
"Teaches it" refers to instructing others in Qur'anic recitation, interpretation, and application. This includes teaching children, students, and community members, whether professionally or voluntarily.
Virtues and Rewards
The comprehensive nature of this hadith indicates that both learning and teaching the Qur'an carry immense spiritual rewards. The learner acquires divine knowledge while the teacher gains the reward of spreading guidance.
Ibn Kathir notes that such narrations demonstrate the superiority of Qur'anic sciences over other knowledge, as they connect directly to Allah's speech.
Practical Implementation
Al-Nawawi emphasizes that teaching Qur'an requires proper qualification to avoid errors in transmission. The teacher must be competent in recitation rules and basic interpretation.
The student should approach learning with sincerity (ikhlas), seeking only Allah's pleasure rather than worldly recognition or compensation.
Chain of Transmission Analysis
The isnad through 'Alqamah bin Marthad is considered reliable (thiqah) by classical scholars including Ibn Hibban and Al-'Ijli. Shu'bah's narration from him strengthens the authenticity.
This chain represents the careful preservation of Prophetic traditions through trustworthy narrators, ensuring the authentic transmission of this important teaching.