What is the difference between the following words with regards to forgetting what one memorised of the Quran?
Nasitu (نَسِيتُ), Nussitu (نُسّيتُ) and Unsitu (أُنْسِيتُ)
Answer:
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“It is bad to say, ‘I forgot (نَسِيتُ) such and such an ayah’, Rather he was made to forget”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 5032, 5039 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 790)
The commentators have offered several explanations and reasons for this. ‘Allamah Nawawi (rahimahullah) says, ‘The words ‘I forgot’ give the impression that a person was negligent and careless with the Quran.’ [By not remembering what he had learnt].
(Sahih Muslim with Al Minhaj, Hadith: 1838. Also see: Al Ifsah ‘An Ma’anis Sihah, Hadith: 274)
Therefore it is more ethical to say, ‘I was made to forget’, [nussitu/unsitu mean, I was made to forget]. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) had also used the words ‘I was made to forget’ [أُنْسِيتُ]. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 5038 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 788)
See here for more Hadiths on forgetting the Quran.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar