"I heard Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, say: 'I heard Hisham bin Hakim bin Hizam reciting Surat Al-Furqan, in a way that I had not been taught, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had taught me. I was about to interrupt him (in his prayer), but I left him alone until he had finished. Then I grabbed him by his garment and brought him to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I heard this man reciting Surat Al-Furqan in a way that you did not teach me.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: 'Recite.' So he recited it in the way that I had heard him recite. Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'It was revealed like this.' Then he said to me: 'Recite.' So I recited it and he said: 'It was revealed like this. This Quran has been revealed in seven different modes, so recite as much of the Quran as may be easy for you.'"
The Book of the Commencement of the Prayer - Sunan an-Nasa'i
Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 937
Contextual Analysis
This narration from Umar ibn al-Khattab demonstrates the divine wisdom in permitting variant recitations of the Quran. The incident occurred during the prayer when Umar noticed a companion reciting Surah al-Furqan differently from what he had learned directly from the Prophet.
Umar's initial reaction of wanting to interrupt the prayer reflects the natural human concern for preserving the precise wording of revelation. However, his restraint until completion shows proper prayer etiquette and respect for worship.
Scholarly Commentary on the Seven Modes
The seven modes (ahruf) refer to divinely sanctioned variations in Quranic recitation that accommodate different Arabic dialects among early Muslims. Scholars like Ibn al-Jazari explain these include variations in wording, grammar, and pronunciation while maintaining the same essential meaning.
Imam al-Qurtubi notes this concession was particularly important during the early period of Islam when Arabs from various tribes were embracing Islam, each with their distinct linguistic patterns.
Legal Implications
This hadith establishes the permissibility of reciting the Quran according to any of the authentic transmitted modes. The Prophet's instruction to "recite as much of the Quran as may be easy for you" indicates the principle of facilitation in worship.
Classical scholars like Imam al-Nawawi emphasize that all seven modes are equally valid and divinely revealed, though today most Muslims follow one or two canonical recitations that preserve the essence of these original variations.
Spiritual Lessons
This incident teaches Muslims to avoid haste in judgment regarding matters of worship. Umar's approach - verifying rather than immediately correcting - exemplifies proper Islamic etiquette.
The divine wisdom in permitting multiple recitations demonstrates Allah's mercy in making the Quran accessible to people of different linguistic backgrounds while maintaining the purity of revelation.