I learnt these seventy chapters so well that no one...

I learnt these seventy chapters so well that no one, not even the ill-wishers and fault-finders, could criticise my recitation of the Glorious Qur’an’.” ‘Abd Allāh ibn Mas‘ūd was the first Muslim who daringly recited the Glorious Qur’an aloud in the midst of the polytheists of Mecca. One day a group of new Muslim converts gathered together and said, “Up to now the polytheists of Mecca have not heard anyone of us recite the Glorious Qur’an.

Who among us will volunteer to carry out this duty?” ‘Abd Allāh ibn Mas‘ūd, a lover of divine revelation, enthusiastically said, “I volunteer.” The other youths present said, “No. Not you. The one who volunteers to carry out this dangerous duty should have relatives in Mecca so that if the polytheists intend to harm him, his kith and kin will protect him from the fury of the infidels. But you, ‘Abd Allāh, do not have any family members in Mecca.

Therefore, this duty is too dangerous to be entrusted to you.” ‘Abd Allāh ibn Mas‘ūd insisted, “Let me carry out this task and do not fear for me because Allah is my supporter and protector.” Early next morning, Ibn Mas‘ūd went and stood where the Prophet Abraham [Ibrāhīm] (S) stood and prayed after making the Ka‘bah. As soon as the elders of Quraysh gathered together around the Ka‘bah after sunrise, ‘Abd Allāh ibn Mas‘ūd started reciting the Noble Qur’an loudly.

He had memorized just a few verses of the Sūrat al-Rahmān , which he courageously recited among the polytheists for the first time, and made them hear the word of Allah with their own ears. The polytheists noticed him, and were curious to know who he was and what he was reciting.

Some of them said, “He is reciting a (small) part of what Muhammad (S) has brought.” When the polytheists realized that Ibn Mas‘ūd was not a well-connected youth, but had gathered courage and dared to recite the Glorious Qur’an in their midst, they surrounded him to intimidate him, but failed to do so. Unperturbed, he continued to recite the Holy Qur’an. The idol-worshippers felt belittled by his unconcern and started manhandling him.

‘Abd Allāh ibn Mas‘ūd resisted them with astounding resilience. After a while, he freed himself from their clasp and returned to his comrades, the Muslims. When they saw him badly beaten, with his head and face covered in blood, they said, “This is exactly what we were afraid of.” ‘Abd Allāh ibn Mas‘ūd said, “This is exactly not anything to worry about.