Additions To Surat Al-Lail
Following the death of Muhammad in 632 CE, it was alleged that the phrase "Him who created" was added to verse 92:3. One narrator of this controversy was Abdullah bin Masud (d.ca. 652), a sahabi who is clearly acknowledged in several aĥādith (by Sunni sources) as an authority regarding Qur'anic matters. However, according to the following ahadith related in Sahih al-Bukhari, the phrase "by Him who created (mā khalaqa)" is considered an addition to the original text that some like Ibn Masud said should not be there:
92:3 وَمَا خَلَقَ الذَّكَرَ وَالْأُنثَى
- Wa mā khalaqa-(a)dh-dhakara wa-(a)l-‘unthā
- By (the mystery of) the creation of (wa mā khalaqa) male and female
Narrated Ibrahim: The companions of Abdullah (Ibn Masud) came to Abu Darda', (and before they arrived at his home), he looked for them and found them. Then he asked them: 'Who among you can recite (Quran) as Abdullah recites it?" They replied, "All of us." He asked, "Who among you knows it by heart?" They pointed at 'Alqama. Then he asked Alqama. "How did you hear Abdullah bin Masud reciting Surat al-Lail?" Alqama recited: 'By the male and the female.' Abu Ad-Darda said, "I testify that I heard my Prophet reciting it likewise, but these people want me to recite it: 'And by Him Who created male and female.' but by Allah, I will not follow them."
Narrated Alqama: Abu Darda further asked, "How does 'Abdullah (bin Masud) recite the sūrah starting with, 'By the Night as it conceals (the light)." (92.1) Then I recited before him: 'By the Night as it envelops: And by the Day as it appears in brightness; And by male and female.' (91.1-3) On this Abu Darda said, "By Allah, the Prophet made me recite the sūrah in this way while I was listening to him."
Narrated Alqama: I went to Sham and was offering a two rak'at prayer. I said, "O Allah! Bless me with a (pious) companion." Then I saw an old man coming towards me, and when he came near I said (to myself), "I hope Allah has given me my request." The man asked (me), "Where are you from?" I replied, "I am from the people of Kufa." He said, "Wasn’t there amongst you the Carrier of the (Prophet's) shoes, siwak and the ablution water container? Wasn't there amongst you the man who was given Allah's Refuge from Satan? And weren't there amongst you the man who used to keep the (Prophet's) secrets which nobody else knew? How did Ibn Um 'Abd ('Abdullah bin Masud) use to recite Surat al-Layl?" I recited: "By the Night as it envelops By the Day as it appears in brightness. And by male and female." (92:1-3) On that, Abu Darda said, "By Allah, the Prophet made me read the verse in this way after listening to him, but these people (of Sham) tried their best to let me say something different."
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