Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/122

102 beginning with the words), 'Say, He is God alone,' the sins of fifty years will be erased from him, unless he has a debt."'—At Tirmidhí, Al Dárimi.

It is related from ʿUqbah bin ʿÁmir that he said, 'Whilst I was going with the Apostle of God between Al Hajfah and Al Abwái, behold! there overtook us a wind of deep darkness, and the Apostle of God began to seek protection by (reciting the two chapters beginning) "I take refuge with the Lord of the daybreak ," and "I take refuge with the Lord of men ." And he said, "O ʿUqbah, seek protection by reciting these two chapters, for no one has ever sought protection by anything like these."'—Abú Dáud.

It is related from ʿÁyesha that, 'The Prophet said, "Verily the recitation of the Qurʾán in prayer is better than its recitation at other times, and the recitation of the Qurʾán at other times than the time of prayer is better than repeating the praises of God and saying, 'God is great.' And repeating the praises of God is better than alms, and alms are better than fasting, and fasting is a protection from the fire."'

It is related from Ibn Masʿúd that, 'The Apostle of God said, "It is a bad thing for any one of you to say, 'I have forgotten such-and-such a verse.' Rather say, 'I have been caused to forget it.' Remember the Qurʾán, because it is quicker in leaving the hearts of men than a quadruped."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.

It is related from Ibn ʿOmar that, 'The Prophet said "The likeness of one who owns (that is memorizes) the Qurʾán is like that of the owner of the camel which is tied up. If he pays attention, to it, he will retain it; but if he frees it, it will go away."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.

It is related from Qatádah that he said, 'Anas was asked what the recital of the Prophet was like (when reciting the Qurʿán). He replied, "It was drawn out." After that he recited, "In the name of the Merciful, the Compassionate," and he lengthened the words, "In the name of" and, "the Merciful " and, "the Compassionate."'—Al Bukhárí.