What is the meaning of the Prophet's saying (peace and blessings be upon him) concerning Surahs Al-Isra, Al-Kahf, and Maryam: "Verily, they are among the earliest [surahs], and they are from my original stock [of knowledge]?"

The aforementioned Hadith (definition) is not a saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him, but rather a statement by the noble Companion Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him. Al-Bukhari narrated from Ibn Mas'ud his statement regarding the chapters "Bani Isra'il" (The Night Journey), "Al-Kahf" (The Cave), "Maryam" (Mary), "Taha," and "Al-Anbiya'" (The Prophets): "Indeed, they are among the earliest, and they are from my 'tilad'."

Imam Abu Ubayd al-Qasim ibn Sallam explained the phrase "min tiladi" to mean "from what I acquired early on from the Qur'an, as these chapters were revealed in Mecca." Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir explains it as "from what was revealed early" and "from what I acquired and memorized early," for "al-talid" refers to ancient wealth and possessions.

The Permanent Committee concludes that these chapters are among those that were revealed early, and that Ibn Mas'ud's statement "min tiladi" means that he memorized them a long time ago. Scholars use this narration as evidence that the arrangement of chapters in the Mushaf (definition) of Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, was by divine instruction during the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him.