أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ تَرْتِيلًا 4
Translations
Or add to it, and recite the Qur’ān with measured recitation.
Transliteration
Aw zid 'alayhi wa rattil al-Qur'ana tartilan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to recite the Qur'an with deliberate pacing and clear enunciation (tartil), emphasizing quality of recitation over speed. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that tartil involves pausing at appropriate points, reflecting on meanings, and articulating each letter distinctly—a practice that aids understanding and retention. The instruction to either maintain the prescribed night vigil or add to it is coupled with this directive, showing that proper Qur'anic recitation requires mindful, measured engagement rather than hasty recitation.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Muzzammil, revealed during the early Meccan period when the Prophet was commanded to establish night prayers (qiyam al-layl) and intensive spiritual devotion. The surah addresses the challenges of this demanding spiritual practice, and this particular ayah balances the rigor of extended night worship with the practical instruction that recitation quality matters more than quantity, making the practice sustainable and spiritually beneficial.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari). Additionally, Umm Salamah described the Prophet's recitation as 'letter by letter, distinct and clear' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi), exemplifying the tartil mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that spiritual practice gains its true value through conscious, intentional engagement rather than mere quantitative effort—whether in Qur'an recitation or any act of worship. For modern believers, it emphasizes that reflecting deeply on a few verses with understanding is spiritually superior to rushing through many verses without comprehension.