its sake. He said: "Leave him, for the poet who composed this poetry was her husband." As for the poet, whenever he satirizes Muslims, praises by means of lying, or slanders a Muslim man or woman, his testimony is rejected, whether he slandered the Muslim woman himself or through someone else. It has been said: "The person with the greatest sin is a man who exchanges satire with another man, whereby he satirizes the entire tribe." We have narrated that Abu Dulama (115) testified before a judge—I believe it was Ibn Abi Layla, [and perhaps the judge was Sawwar] (116)—and he feared that he would reject his testimony. So he said:

'If people cover me, I cover myself from them, And if they search for me, there are things to be searched for within them.'

The judge said: "And who would search for you, O Abu Dulama?" He paid the money from his own wealth, and did not demonstrate that he had rejected his testimony.

Section: On Reading the Qur'an with Melodies: As for reading it without melody, there is no harm in it, and if one improves his voice, it is better, for the Prophet (peace and blessings of God be upon him) said: ["Beautify your voices with the Qur'an." And it was narrated] (117): "Beautify the Qur'an with your voices" (118). He also said: "Abu Musa has indeed been given a flute from the flutes of the family of David" (119). [And it was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of God be upon him) said to Abu Musa: "I passed by you last night while you were reading, and you have indeed been given a flute from the flutes of the family of David" (120)]. Abu Musa replied: "If I had known that you were listening, I would have certainly embellished it for you with ornamentation (121)." It is narrated that 'A'ishah, may God be pleased with her, was delayed in returning to the Prophet (peace and blessings of God be upon him) one night, and he asked: "Where were you, O 'A'ishah?" She replied: "O Messenger of God, I was listening to the reading of a man in the mosque; I have never heard anyone read better than his reading." The Prophet (peace and blessings of God be upon him) stood up and listened to his reading, then said: "This is Salim, the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfah. Praise be to God who has made within my nation one like him" (121). Salih said: I said to my father: "Beautify the Qur'an with your voices." What is its meaning?