فَإِذا قَرَأناهُ فَاتَّبِع قُرآنَهُ
And when We have recited it, follow its recitation.
EXPOSITION
We have recited employs the first-person plural, as it intends how God sends revelation through the means of angelic messengers, in this case their leader, the archangel Gabriel, who was entrusted with bringing the final book of God. Follow its recitation should mean to follow Gabriel’s recitation in exact wording as he reveals it to your heart. Or alternatively, it has been said to mean that after Gabriel has finished reciting, then you may repeat what was recited.
Many have argued that follow its recitation means to act on its (the Quran’s) commandments and follow its rulings. While this is not a very strong interpretation given the context of the verse, it is nevertheless an important reminder that a believer should not be distracted by the outward aspect of Quranic recitation from the meaning of the words, nor should the beauty of its melody be the focus rather than acting on its commands. Yes, beautiful recitation and tajwīd are important and a core part of the Islamic tradition, nevertheless these should never take precedence over the actual content of the Quran and practicing its teachings.
REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE
Follow its recitation is also said to mean that you should constantly repeat its recitation, so that you should memorise it well. However, this opinion is not valid, given what we discussed in the previous verses.
INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS
- ‘For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.’
- ‘Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.’
[1] See Tabrisi, 10/601.
[2] This opinion is also attributed to Ibn Abbas (Tibyan, 10/196).
[3] This opinion is attributed to al-Ḍaḥḥāk (Tibyan, 10/196) and Qatādah (Tabari, 29/118).
[4] Related in Mizan, 20/110. Tabatabai rejects this interpretation as very unlikely.
[5] Proverbs 2:6.
[6] Luke 24:45.