ABSTRACT
There are numerous references to the Qurʾan throughout the Muwaṭṭaʾ, both explicit and implicit. Most of these deal with the tafsīr of individual words or phrases but there are also several sections that deal with the Qurʾan in a more general way, and in particular with how it should be handled in formal acts of devotion such as the prayer, of which Qurʾanic recitation forms an essential part. Thus we find chapters on whether or not one must be in wuḍūʾ to touch or recite the Quiʾan; 1 how the Qurʾan should best be divided up in order to recite a portion every day; 2 where the verses of prostration occur; 3 how the recitation in the prayer should be done; 4 what sūras may be used for what prayers; 5 and so on. On a more general level, we find material on how, when and in what context the revelation took place; 6 on the excellence of certain sūras; 7 and the ḥadīth about the seven aḥruf according to which the Qurʾan was revealed. 8 There are, furthermore, several instances of where Companions are reported to have used specific Qurʾanic duʿāʾs or to have responded to particular situations by quoting relevant passages from the Qurʾan: these have no direct bearing on our subject except that they do help to confirm firstly, the form of the text at that time, and secondly, the effect that the message of the Qurʾan had on the lives of the people who first heard it. 9
