cations. When asked, "Where did you find the traditions reported by Ikrima on the authority of Ibn Abbas, regarding the separate merits of the chapters of the Quran, each on its own?" he replied: "I saw that people were turning from the Quran to the jurisprudence of Abu l:fanifa and the battle narratives of Mul_lammad b. Isl_laq [al‌ Waqidi]. So I made up this tradition only to please God."٢٥
AbuAmr Uthman b. al-Salil_l, commenting about the tradition which w_as related on the authority of Ubayy b. Kab-who had reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) on the merits of the separate chapters of the Quran‌ said: "A scholar searched the source of this tradition until he reached a person who confessed that he and a group of traditionists had fabricated it. Indeed, al-Wal_lidi and other exegetes who have included it in their works of exegesis have committed an error."٢٦
Look at these presumptuous traditionists; how they attribute a false tradition to the Messenger of God! And not content with that, they claim that these falsehoods were for the sole reason of pleasing God. "This is what they do, made [to seem] fair to the prodigal" (Q. ١٠:١٢).

Contemplating the Quran and
Understanding Its Meanings

The Quran and the authentic tradition strongly urge us to reflect on the meanings of the Quran and contemplate its purposes and goals. God says in this respect, "Will they not meditate on the Quran, or are there locks on their hearts?" (Q. ٤٧: ٤).
verse is a stem rebuke for those who neglect to reflect on the Quran. A tradition reported from IbnAbbas relates that he heard the Prophet say, "Understand the Quran and seek its marvels."
In another tradition, Abu Abd al-Ral_lman al-Sulami says:

We heard from those of the Prophets companions, who used to teach us the Quran, that they used to receive from the Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) ten verses [at a time], and did not start on the next ten till they had learned what the previ‌ ous ten taught and what deeds they required.٢٧
In still another tradition, it is related on the authority ofUthman [b. Aftan]٢٨ and
Ibn Masud that

the Prophet used to read for them ten verses, and would not pass on to the next ten until they had learned everything about [the first ten verses]. Thus he taught them the Quran and the deeds based on it together.٢٩
It is related on the authority of the Imam Ali b. Abi Talib, that he mentioned Jabir b. AbdAllah al-An ari
"May my life be a sacrifice for you! You have described Jabir as knowledgeable, and you, you are what you are!" The Imam said: "He knew the interpretation of Gods revelation, Lo, He who has given you the Quran for law will surely take you back to a place of homing" (Q. ٢٨:٨٥).
It has been said thatAli b. Abi Tlilib mentioned Jabir b. AbdAllah and described
him as knowledgeable. One of those present [in the gathering] told him: "May I be your sacrifice! You attribute knowledge to Jabir, and you, you are what you are!"