English Translation

Ubay ibn Ka'b said: "I was in the mosque when a man entered and prayed, and he recited in a manner that I found objectionable. Then another man entered and recited differently from the first. When they finished the prayer, we all went to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). I said: 'This man recited in a way I found objectionable, and the other entered and recited differently from his companion.' The Messenger of Allah commanded them both to recite. They recited, and he praised both of their recitations. A feeling of denial came over me that was not even as bad as what I felt during the pre-Islamic period. When the Messenger of Allah saw what had come over me, he struck me on the chest, and I broke out in a sweat as if I were looking at Allah in awe. Then he said to me: 'O Ubay, it was sent to me to recite the Quran in one mode, but I asked Him again and He said: Recite it in two modes. I kept asking until it reached seven modes. Each mode is sufficient and complete, whether you say "All-Hearing, All-Knowing" or "All-Mighty, All-Wise" — as long as you do not end a verse of mercy with punishment, or a verse of punishment with mercy.'"