{Those to whom We gave the Book recite it as it should be recited}

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَـهُمُ الْكِتَـبَ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلاَوَتِهِ

{Those to whom We gave the Book recite it as it should be recited} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 121]

Imaam Ibn Katheer رحمه الله said:

Allaah تعالى said,

الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَـهُمُ الْكِتَـبَ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلاَوَتِهِ

{Those to whom We gave the Book. Yatlunahu Haqqan Tilawatih.}

`Abdur-Razzaq said from Ma`mar, from Qatadah, "They are the Jews and Christians.'' This is the opinion of `Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam, and it was also chosen by Ibn Jarir.

Sa`id reported from Qatadah, "They are the Companions of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم.''

Abu Al-`Aliyah said that Ibn Mas`ood رضي الله عنه said, "By He in Whose Hand is my soul! The right Tilawah is allowing what it makes lawful, prohibiting what it makes unlawful, reciting it as it was revealed by Allah, not changing the words from their places, and not interpreting it with other than its actual interpretation.''

As-Suddi reported from Abu Malik from Ibn `Abbas رضي الله عنه who said about this Ayah (2:121): "They make lawful what it allows and they prohibit what it makes unlawful, and they do not alter its wordings.''

`Umar bin Al-Khattab said, "They are those who when they recite an Ayah that mentions mercy, they ask Allah for it, and when they recite an Ayah that mentions torment, they seek refuge with Allah from it.'' This meaning was attributed to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, for when he used to recite an Ayah of mercy, he invoked Allah for mercy, and when he recited an Ayah of torment, he sought refuge from it with Allah. [As reported in Ibn Majah # 1119 on the authority of Hudhayfah bin al-Yaamaan رضي الله عنه, and Authenticated by Sheikh al-Albaanee].

– end of quote of Ibn Katheer.

Imaam al-Qurtubee رحمه الله said:

And the saying of Allaah تعالى: {Those to whom we gave the Book}, Qatadah said: “They are the companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.” So the Book would mean – the Qur’aan.

And Ibn Zayd said: “They are those who have accepted Islaam from the children of Israeel (i.e. the Jews)”. So, the Book here would be – the Torah.

There are different opinions on the meaning of {recite it as it should be recited}. Some said: “obeying it as it should be obeyed; following what it has enjoined and forbade. Making Halaal what it has made Halaal; and making Haraam what it has made Haraam; and by implementing it”. This was said by `Ikrimah.

`Ikrimah said: “Did you not hear the words of Allaah تعالى: {By the moon as it talaahaa} {Surah al-Shams (91): 2] i.e. it (the moon) follows it (the Sun)”.

And Ibn `Abbaas and Ibn Mas`ood رضي الله عنهما have said similar to it.

It has been reported by Nasr bin `Isaa on the authority of Maalik, on the authority of Nafi` on the authority of Ibn `Umar that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said about the ayah {recite it as it should be recited}; “(it means) to follow it as it should be followed”. But this Isnaad is weak because of more than one unknown narrators as al-Khateeb Abu Bakr Ahmad has said. But its meaning is correct.

And Abu Moosa al-Ash`aree said: “whoever follows the Qur’aan will enter the gardens of Paradise.”

And `Umar Ibn al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه said: “They are those who when they read/hear the ayaat of Rahmah, seek mercy from Allaah; and when they read/hear the ayaat of punishment, seek Allaah’s refuge.”

The same has been reported from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, that when he passed by the ayah of Rahmah, asked (Allaah) for it, and when he passed by the ayah of punishment, sought (Allaah’s) refuge.

And Hasan (al-Basree) said: “They are those who implement its commandments; and believe in it (i.e. the unclear verses); and refer back to their scholars in that which they don’t understand.”

Some say that it (the ayah) means to “read it as it should be read”, but this meaning is far (from being complete). Rather it means those who recite it properly (with Tajweed) and understand its meaning. Verily, if one understands its meaning, he will obey them, (those whom Allaah gives success). –end of quote of al-Qurtubee.