such as had not existed when I was in ignorance (of Islám). Then, when the Apostle of God saw what had come to me, he struck me on my breast, at which I broke out into perspiration, as if I were looking at God from fear. Then he said to me, "O Ubai, (orders) were sent to me that I should recite the Qurʾán in one reading. Then I took the matter to God that it might be made easy for my followers. Then (orders) were sent back to me a second time, 'Recite it in two readings.' Then I took the matter back to God that it might be made easy for my followers, and (orders) were sent back to me a third time, 'Recite it in seven readings. For thee (O Muḥammad) is every reply which I have sent thee at the request thou didst make.' Then I said, 'O God, forgive my people; O God, forgive my people.' And I delayed a third request for the day when the whole world, even to Abraham, would long for me"'—Muslim.
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Gabriel taught me to recite in one reading, but I referred the matter back to him and continued asking him to increase it, and he continued to increase it for me until it ended up in seven readings." Ibn Shiháb said, "I was informed that those seven readings were one in substance. They did not differ in the matter of lawful and unlawful."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Ubai bin Kaʿb that he said, 'The Apostle of God met Gabriel and said, "O Gabriel, verily I have been sent to a people who are ignorant. Amongst them are old women and old men, and boys and girls, and men who have never read a book." He replied, "O Muhammad, verily the Qurʾán has been sent down in seven readings."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from ʿIbn Abbás that he said, 'The Apostle of God did not know the divisions of the chapters (of the Qurʾán) until there descended upon him the words "In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from Alqamah that he said, 'We were in Homs, and Ibn Masʿúd recited the chapter entitled "Joseph." And a certain man said, "It was not sent down in this manner." Then ʿAbduʾlláh said, "By God! I certainly recited it in the time of the Apostle of God, and he said, 'Thou hast
