By Mufti Bilal al-Mahmudi

The Qurʾān is the sacred and divine speech of Allāh. It has always been a source of benefit and inspiration for its reciters. There are numerous accounts of individuals affected by the Qurʾān in a positive and profound way. We Muslims are extremely fortunate that the Qurʾān was revealed for us. Apart from showing us truth from falsehood and the right path from the wrong, the Qurʾān is a means of attaining blessings, closeness to Allāh and gaining rewards and benefits. It is indeed very unfortunate that we have become distanced from the Qurʾān.

The following verse and narrations explain the importance and virtues of reciting the Qurʾān:

Allāh Taʿālā states in the Holy Qurʾān:

الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلَاوَتِهِ أُولَئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَمَنْ يَّكْفُرْ بِِه فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْخٰسِرُون

“Those to whom We have given the Scripture and they recite it observing the rights of its recitation – those are the ones who (truly) believe in it. Those who disbelieve in it (by not observing its rights), those are the losers.” (al-Baqarah: 121)

“Observing the rights of its recitation” means, according to ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (raḍiyallāhu ʿanh): “To treat what is lawful in it as lawful and what is unlawful in it as unlawful and recite it as revealed by Allāh and to not alter the words from their places, nor explain anything from it against its correct explanation.” (Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, 2:45) Those that do not observe the rights of the Scripture in this manner are described as having “disbelieved” in it, and therefore “losers” i.e. dwellers of Jahannam. (Tafsīr al-Jalālayn, p.59)

Abū ʿAbdir-Raḥmān al-Sulamī narrates from Sayyidunā ʿUthmān (raḍiyallāhu ʿanh) that Rasūlullāh (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) said: “The best of you are those who study the Qurʾān and teach it.” (Bukhārī)

It is reported from ʿĀʾishah (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhā) that Rasūlullāh (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) said: “The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Qurʾān will be with the honourable and obedient messengers (angels) (i.e. in degree), and he who recites the Qurʾān, repeating its (words) because he finds it difficult, will receive two rewards.” (Muslim)

From the above narration we understand that if one struggles to recite the Qurʾān fluently, but he puts in the effort and works on improving his recitation, he shall receive double reward. Hence, one should not become discouraged from reciting the Qurʾān on account of not being able to recite with ease.

‘Abdullāh ibn Masʿūd (raḍiyallāhu ʿanh) reports that Rasūlullāh (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) said: “Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allāh will be credited with a good deed, and every good deed is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-Lām-Mīm is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lām is a letter and Mīm is a letter.” (al-Tirmidhī)

Abū Umāmah al-Bāhilī (raḍiyallāhu ʿanh) narrates that he heard Rasūlullāh (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) say: “Recite the Qurʾān, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite it. Recite the two shining sūrahs: al-Baqarah and Āl ʿImrān, for on the Day of Resurrection they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them.” (Muslim)

May Allāh Taʿālā make us from amongst those who recite the Qurʾān regularly and correctly, and strive to understand its message and follow its guidance. Āmīn.

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