Al-A'la: (6) We will make you recite, so you will not forget.

It is to be noted that when the Almighty commanded the Prophet (peace be upon him) to glorify (Allah), saying: {Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High} (Al-A'la: 1), He also taught him that this glorification would not be complete or perfect except by reciting what Allah had revealed to him of the Qur'an. This is because the glorification befitting him is that which Allah chooses for Himself. Consequently, the Prophet (PBUH) would recall the Qur'an in his heart for fear of forgetting it. Allah removed this fear from his heart by saying: {We will make you recite, so you will not forget}.

There are several issues concerning this verse:

Issue 1: The Meaning of "We will make you recite"

Al-Wahidi said: {We will make you recite} means: We will make you a reciter by inspiring you with the recitation so that you do not forget what you recite. The meaning is: We will make you a reciter of the Qur'an whom you recite and do not forget.

Mujahid, Muqatil, and Al-Kalbi said: When the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet (PBUH), he would move his tongue frequently for fear of forgetting. Jibril (Gabriel) would not finish the revelation until the Prophet (PBUH) began reciting the beginning of it, fearing forgetfulness. So, Allah Almighty said: {We will make you recite, so you will not forget}, meaning: We will teach you this Qur'an so that you memorize it.

Similar verses include: {And do not hasten with the Qur'an before its revelation to you is completed} (Taha: 114) and {Do not move your tongue with it to hasten it} (Al-Qiyamah: 16).

They then mentioned several ways regarding the manner of this instruction and teaching:

1. Jibril (PBUH) will recite the Qur'an to you multiple times until you memorize it with a memorization that you will not forget.
2. We will expand your breast and strengthen your mind so that you memorize it in a single instance with a memorization that you will not forget.
3. Since Allah commanded him to glorify (Allah) at the beginning of the Surah, it is as if Allah said: Persevere in that and adhere to it, for We will make you recite the Qur'an which encompasses the knowledge of the first and the last, and your mention and the mention of your people will be in it. We will gather it in your heart, and We will make the path to ease easy for you, which is acting upon it.

Issue 2: Evidence of Miracles and the Meaning of "So you will not forget"

This verse indicates a miracle in two ways:

1. He was an unlettered man, yet his memorization of this lengthy Book without study, repetition, or writing is extraordinary and thus miraculous.
2. This Surah was revealed in the early Meccan period. This is a report about a strange and astonishing event that would occur in the future, and it did occur. Therefore, this was a report of the unseen, making it a miracle.

Regarding the phrase {so you will not forget}:

Some said that {so you will not forget} means prohibition, and the final Alif is extra for the pause, like in {the path} (Al-Ahzab: 67). This means: Do not neglect its recitation and repetition so that you forget it, except what Allah wills to make you forget.

The famous opinion is that this is a statement of fact (a promise), meaning: We will make you recite until you reach a state where you do not forget and are secure from forgetfulness. This is like saying, "I will clothe you," implying, "so you will not be naked."

The proponents of this view argued against the weakness of the first opinion, stating that the prohibitive interpretation requires accepting figurative meanings in this verse:

1. Forgetfulness is something only Allah can decree, so a command or prohibition regarding it is not sound. Therefore, it must be interpreted as an order to adhere to things that counteract forgetfulness, such as study and frequent recollection. All of this deviates from the apparent meaning of the word.
2. It requires treating the final Alif as extra for the pause, which is contrary to the original form.
3. If we take it as a statement of fact, the meaning of the verse is Allah's glad tidings to him that He will make him such that he will not forget. If we take it as a prohibition, the meaning is that Allah commanded him to adhere to the means preventing forgetfulness (study and recitation). This is not as encouraging or as elevating to his status as the first interpretation. Furthermore, it contradicts the verse: {Do not move your tongue with it to hasten it} (Al-Qiyamah: 16).

Regarding the phrase: {Except what Allah wills}

There are two possibilities concerning this exception:

Possibility 1: This exception is not actually realized. The Prophet (PBUH) did not forget anything after this verse was revealed. Al-Kalbi said that the Prophet (PBUH) did not forget anything after this verse was revealed.

If this is the case, the purpose of saying {Except what Allah wills} is one of the following:

1. Seeking blessing by mentioning this phrase, as Allah says: {And never say of anything, "I will do that tomorrow," Except if Allah wills} (Al-Kahf: 23-24). It is as if Allah is saying: Although I know all things and the consequences of matters in detail, I do not report the occurrence of anything in the future except with this phrase. Therefore, you and your Ummah, O Muhammad, are more deserving of it.
2. Al-Farra' said that Allah did not will for Muhammad (PBUH) to forget anything. However, the purpose of mentioning this exception is to clarify that Allah has the power to make him forget if He had willed, just as He said: {And if We willed, We could surely take away that which We have revealed to you} (Al-Isra': 86). Yet, we are certain that Allah did not will that. Similarly, Allah said to the Prophet (PBUH): {If you associate others [with Allah in worship], your work will surely become worthless}, even though the Prophet (PBUH) never associated partners [with Allah] at all. In summary, the benefit of this exception is to make Allah's power known to him, so he knows that the absence of forgetfulness is from Allah's grace and favor, not from his own strength.
3. Since Allah mentioned this exception, He permitted the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) to consider that whatever revelation descends upon him—whether little or much—might be the exception. Consequently, he would be extremely meticulous, cautious, and vigilant in all situations. Thus, the purpose of mentioning this exception was to keep the Prophet (PBUH) in a state of vigilance in all circumstances.
4. The purpose of {Except what Allah wills} is to negate forgetfulness entirely, similar to when a man says to his companion, "You are my partner in all that I own, except what Allah wills," without intending to exclude anything specific.

Possibility 2: The phrase {Except what Allah wills} is a genuine exception. Under this interpretation, the verse can have several meanings:

1. Al-Zajjaj said: Except what Allah wills that he forgets, then remembers afterward. So, he might forget, but he remembers, meaning he does not forget completely and permanently. It is narrated that he omitted a verse during prayer, and Abu believed it was abrogated. When he asked the Prophet (PBUH), he replied, "I forgot it."
2. Muqatil said: Except what Allah wills that He makes him forget, and the meaning of Insa' (making forget) here is abrogation, as in: {Whatever We abrogate of a verse or cause it to be forgotten, We bring forth one better than it}. The meaning would then be: except what Allah wills to make you forget entirely, commanding you not to recite it or pray with it, which becomes the reason for its forgetfulness and removal from memory.
3. The meaning of {Except what Allah wills} could be rarity and scarcity, with the condition that this small amount is not from the obligations of the Sharia, but from the etiquette and Sunnahs. If he forgot something obligatory and did not remember it, it would lead to a defect in the Law, which is impermissible.

Regarding the phrase: {Indeed, He knows the manifest and what is hidden}

There are two interpretations:

1. The meaning is that the Almighty knows your manifest recitation along with Jibril's recitation, and He knows the secret within your heart, which is your fear of forgetting. Therefore, do not fear, for I will take care of what you fear.
2. The meaning could be: So you will not forget, except what Allah wills to abrogate, for He is the most knowing of the welfare of His servants, so He abrogates when He knows that abrogation is in the best interest.

{And We will make the path to ease easy for you.}