What is the authenticity of the narration reported from Ibn Abbas in "The Book of Languages in the Qur'an," which states: "Allah عز وجل did not send down any book from heaven except in Hebrew, and Gabriel (peace be upon him) would translate for each prophet in the language of his people"? And have any other chains of transmission for this narration been authenticated?
The narration attributed to Ibn Abbas states that the Qur'an was revealed in the tongue of Quraysh, and if it had been in a language other than Arabic, it would not have been understood. It is also narrated that Allah did not reveal any book except in Hebrew, and that Gabriel, peace be upon him, used to translate for each prophet into the language of his people, based on the Almighty's saying: (And We did not send any messenger except with the language of his people to make clear to them). This part of the narration is supported by other statements from Mujahid and Uthman ibn Affan, with the latter affirming that the Qur'an was revealed in the tongue of Quraysh. As for the statement that Allah revealed all His books in Hebrew, and that Gabriel used to translate, this has a weak chain of narration and contradicts the Almighty's saying: (And We did not send any messenger except with the language of his people).
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/29429