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

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

 Allaah تعالى says:

الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَـهُمُ الْكِتَـبَ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلاَوَتِهِ

{Those to whom We gave the Book recite it as it should be recited} [1]

 

Tafseer al-Muyassar:
Meaning: “They read it correctly, follow it as it should be followed, and believe in what it contains of belief in the Messengers of Allaah, including the Seal of them, our Prophet and Messenger Muhammad ﷺ. They do not distort or alter what it contains. These are the ones who believe in the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and in what was revealed to him. As for those who changed some part of the Book and concealed some of it, these are disbelievers in the Prophet of Allaah, Muhammad ﷺ, and in what was revealed to him. And whoever disbelieves in him, then with Allaah, they are the ones who are most deprived (and big losers).” [2]

 

Al-Ḥaafiẓh Ibn Katheer رحمه الله said:
Allaah تعالى said,

الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَـهُمُ الْكِتَـبَ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلاَوَتِهِ

{Those to whom We gave the Book. Yatloonahu Haqqa Tilaawatih.}

`Abdur-Razzaaq said from Ma`mar, from Qataadah: “They are the Jews and Christians.’’ This is the opinion of `Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Zayd Ibn Aslam, and it was also chosen by Ibn Jareer.

Sa`eed reported from Qataadah: “They are the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ.”

Abu al-`Aaliyah said that Ibn Mas`ood رضي الله عنه said: “By He in Whose Hand is my soul! The right Tilaawah is allowing what it makes lawful, prohibiting what it makes unlawful, reciting it as it was revealed by Allaah, not changing the words from their places, and not interpreting it with other than its actual interpretation.”

As-Suddee reported from Abu Maalik from Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما who said about this Aayah (2:121): “They make lawful what it allows and they prohibit what it makes unlawful, and they do not alter its wordings.”

`Umar Ibn Al-Khaṭṭaab said, “They are those who when they recite an Aayah that mentions mercy, they ask Allaah for it, and when they recite an Aayah that mentions torment, they seek refuge with Allaah from it.” This meaning was attributed to the Prophet ﷺ, for when he used to recite an Ayah of mercy, he invoked Allaah for mercy, and when he recited an Ayah of torment, he sought refuge from it with Allaah.[3].

– end of quote of Ibn Katheer. [4]

Al-Qurṭobee رحمه الله said:
And the saying of Allaah تعالى: {Those to whom we gave the Book}, Qataadah said: “They are the companions of the Prophet ﷺ.” So the Book would mean – the Qur’aan.

And Ibn Zayd said: “They are those who have accepted Islaam from the children of Israa’eel (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 Ḥalaal what it has made Ḥalaal; and making Ḥaraam what it has made Ḥaraam; 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} [5] 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 Ibn `Isaa on the authority of Maalik, on the authority of Naafi` on the authority of Ibn `Umar that the Prophet ﷺ said about the Aayah {recite it as it should be recited}; ❝(it means) to follow it as it should be followed❞. But this Sanad (chain of narration) is Weak because of more than one unknown narrator 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-Khaṭṭaab رضي الله عنه said: “They are those who when they read/hear the Aayaat of Raḥmah, seek mercy from Allaah; and when they read/hear the Aayaat of punishment, seek Allaah’s refuge.”

The same has been reported from the Prophet ﷺ, that when he passed by the Aayah of Raḥmah, asked (Allaah) for it, and when he passed by the Aayah of punishment, sought (Allaah’s) refuge.

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

Some say that it (the Aayah) 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-Qurṭobee. [6]

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[1] Surah al-Baqarah (2): 121

[2] Tafseer al-Muyassar (1/19)

[3] As reported in Ṣaḥeeḥ Muslim and Sunan Ibn Maajah # 1119 on the authority of Hudhayfah Ibn al-Yaamaan رضي الله عنه, and Authenticated by Sheikh al-Albaanee

[4] Tafseer Ibn Katheer (2): 121

[5] Surah al-Shams (91): 2

[6] Al-Jaami` li-Ahkaam al-Qur'aan