Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … When Sayyiduna Uthman radi Allahu anhu, in order to save the Ummah from discord, ordered that only one recitation (qira’ah) of the Noble Qur’an be maintained and that the other recitations be burned, Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas’ud radi Allahu anhu did not agree with him. He mentioned Sayyiduna Zayd because Sayyiduna Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu and Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu had placed greater trust in him regarding the compilation of the Qur’an. There is a narration that Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas’ud radi Allahu anhu later retracted his opinion. The meaning of "dhuwabah" is a lock of hair; the Arabs would make one or two locks in the hair of children. By this, Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas’ud radi Allahu anhu intended to indicate the childhood of Sayyiduna Zayd radi Allahu anhu. Shaqiq says: Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas’ud radi Allahu anhu recited this verse: {وَمَنْ یَغْلُلْیَأْتِ بِمَا غَلَّ یَوْمَ الْقِیَامَۃِ۔} (Whoever commits treachery will bring forth on the Day of Resurrection that which he has betrayed.) Then he said: ‘Upon whose recitation do you command me to recite? Indeed, I have recited seventy-some surahs to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and indeed the Companions of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam know that I am the most knowledgeable among them of the Book of Allah. And if I knew of anyone more knowledgeable than me, I would travel to him.’ … Upon whose recitation do you command me to be diligent? I myself recited seventy-six or seventy-seven surahs to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and the noble Companions also know that I am the most knowledgeable of Allah’s Book among them. If I were to find out that anyone is more knowledgeable than me, I would set out on a journey to him. (Sahih Muslim: 2462)

Hafiz Ibn Hajar said in (Fath al-Bari: 9/49): What is meant by Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas’ud radi Allahu anhu committing treachery is that he would hide a copy of the Noble Qur’an so that it would not be brought out and destroyed. It appears that Sayyiduna Ibn Mas’ud radi Allahu anhu did not agree with the opinion of Sayyiduna Uthman radi Allahu anhu, or perhaps he did not wish to openly oppose Sayyiduna Uthman radi Allahu anhu, but rather his intention was to preserve that recitation in which he had a particular distinction. However, when he saw that his objective was not being fulfilled and that, without any reason for preference, the recitation of Sayyiduna Zayd ibn Thabit radi Allahu anhu was being given precedence, he then preferred to continue upon that recitation. And Ibn Abi Dawud established this chapter heading: "The Chapter of Ibn Mas’ud’s Being Pleased Thereafter with What Uthman Did" (i.e., the statement of Sayyiduna Ibn Mas’ud radi Allahu anhu being pleased with what Sayyiduna Uthman radi Allahu anhu did), but then he did not transmit any narration that would correspond to this heading. Shaykh Ahmad Shakir said: When Sayyiduna Uthman radi Allahu anhu, out of fear of discord, ordered the people to unite upon the Mushaf al-Imam, Sayyiduna Ibn Mas’ud radi Allahu anhu became angry, but this was his personal opinion, and he erred in interpreting the aforementioned verse about treachery, because this verse is about taking something from the spoils of war before their division (which is a blameworthy act).

In reality, Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas’ud radi Allahu anhu understood this verse; his intention was something else.