I heard a man reciting a verse (of the Holy Qur'an) but I had heard the Prophet (ﷺ) reciting it differently. So, I caught hold of the man by the hand and took him to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) who said, "Both of you are right." Shu`ba, the sub-narrator said, "I think he said to them, "Don't differ, for the nations before you differed and perished (because of their differences). "
Khusoomaat - Sahih al-Bukhari 2410
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari demonstrates the profound wisdom of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in handling differences among the Ummah. When two companions differed in their recitation of the Qur'an, both approaches were validated as legitimate variants (ahruf) of revelation.
Scholarly Commentary
The Prophet's statement "Both of you are right" confirms the validity of the seven ahruf (dialects/modes) in which the Qur'an was revealed. This accommodates natural linguistic variations while preserving the divine text.
The warning against excessive disagreement reflects the Islamic principle of unity in essentials while allowing flexibility in secondary matters. The historical reference to previous nations serves as a cautionary tale against divisive sectarianism.
This hadith establishes important guidelines for Muslim conduct: verifying knowledge with proper authorities, maintaining brotherhood despite differences, and learning from the mistakes of previous communities.
Legal and Theological Implications
This narration supports the orthodoxy of multiple qira'at (recitations) while emphasizing the importance of unity. It teaches that differences in understanding or practice, when based on valid evidence, should not lead to division within the Muslim community.
The companion's action of taking the matter directly to the Prophet (ﷺ) demonstrates the proper methodology for resolving religious disputes - through consultation with qualified scholars rather than public contention.