Encyclopedia of Translated Hadiths (HadeethEnc) · The Noble Qur'an and Qur'anic Sciences
Number: 65051
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not know where Surahs were to be separated until "In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful" was revealed to him
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَليهِ وَسَلَّمَ لا يَعْرِفُ فَصْلَ السُّورةِ حَتَّى تَنْزِلَ عَليْهِ {بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ}.
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not know where Surahs were to be separated until "In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful" was revealed to him.
Translation by HadeethEnc.com
Grade[Authentic][Narrated by Abu Dāwūd]
Explanation
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) points out that the Qur’an's surahs would reveal to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) while he did not know where they should end and be separated, until "In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful" was revealed to him; thereupon, he knew that the previous surah came to an end and this was the beginning of a new surah.
Benefits of the hadith
- Basmalah "In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful" separates between surahs, except between Surat al-Anfāl and Surat at-Tawbah.
HadeethEnc.com · English edition v1.25.0, updated 2026-05-10 · Open on HadeethEnc.com