Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 32122 — In how many modes the Quran was

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said that Jibril said to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "Recite the Qur'an upon one mode (harf)." Mika'il said to him: "Increase it." Jibril said: "Recite it upon two modes." Then Mika'il said: "Increase it," until they reached seven modes, each of which is healing and sufficient, like your saying "halumma" and "ta'al," both of which have one meaning: "come." This holds so long as one does not complete a verse of mercy with a verse of punishment, or a verse of punishment with a verse of mercy.