In Surah Qiyaamah, Allaah says that the collection and recitation is upon Him. Does that mean that all reciters and imams who recite publicly and in prayer are not faulty in recitation ever? I had waswaas (devilish whisperings) on whether they are faulty in reciting or not. When I learned about this verse, I swore that they are not faulty. I am confused that if that is not the case, then my faith is lost. I find myself in a very critical situation. Please help me

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The verse does not indicate the meaning that you mistakenly understood; that all the reciters and imaams reciting the Quran do not make mistakes in the recitation of the Quran. The reality testifies to the fact that many of them make mistakes; rather, almost no one escapes making mistakes while reciting the Quran.

Ibn Katheer wrote:

"The verse: {Indeed, upon Us is its collection and its recitation} [Quran 75:17]: (upon Us is its collection) means 'in your chest/heart'; (and its recitation) means 'that you recite it'. The following verse reads, {So when We have recited it, then follow its recitation} [Quran 75:18]: (So, when We have recited it) means, 'when Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) has recited it to you from Allaah', (then follow its recitation) means, 'listen to it then recite it as he taught you to recite it.' The following verse reads: {Then upon Us is its clarification} [Quran 75:19]: (Then upon Us is its clarification) means 'after memorizing it and reciting it, We will explain it to you, clarify it and inspire you with its meaning according to what We intended and legislated.'" [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

It is impermissible to interpret the Quran based on personal opinion and deductions without possessing adequate knowledge in this field. Rather, it is obligatory on the Muslim who is not eligible for this to ask the reliable competent scholars of Tafseer (exegesis) in this regard. The dear questioner should repent to Allaah of attempting to interpret the Quran while lacking the adequate knowledge.

As for your oath (swearing that they are not faulty), it is considered an idle oath (laghw al-yameen) because you swore that a given piece of information is true while believing it to be correct but realized later that it is faulty; thus, no expiation is due. Ibn Qudaamah wrote, "Juridical case: When a person utters an oath thinking that he is speaking the truth, then he realizes that it was not true, in this case, no expiation is due because this is an idle oath. Most of the scholars held that such an oath does not entail expiation, as was stated by Ibn Al-Munthir..." [Al-Mughni]

Allaah knows best.