The Virtues of Reciting The Qur’an

[ابوالوليد المسلم]

The Virtues of Reciting The Qur’an

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al- ‘Uthaymeen

There are two types of Qur’an recitation:

1. Practical recitation, which means reading with belief in and application of the orders of Allah and refraining from the unlawful things.

2. Word recitation.

There are many hadeeths in which emphasis is laid on the great reward for those who recite the Qur’an. The prophet (pbuh) said, “The best of you is he who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.”[1] He also said: “The one who excels in reciting the Qur’an will be in the company of the honored angels.”[2] And, “The example of the believer who reads the Qur’an is like that of the utrujah (a citrus fruit) which has a beautiful fragrance and a beautiful taste. While the example of the believer who does not read the Qur’an is like that of the date fruit: It has sweet taste, but has no fragrance.”[3] He also said: “He who recites one letter of the Book of Allah will be rewarded for it, and the reward will be multiplied in folds.”[4]

There are certain soorahs of the Qur’an that have more reward for their recitation. The prophet (pbuh) verified that Satan does not enter the house wherein Soorat Al-Baqarah[5] is recited. When one recites Ayatul-Kursi[6] at the night, as the prophet (pbuh) informed us, he shall be protected by Allah, and Satan shall not come near him till he wakes up in the morning.[7]

The same results may be achieved by the recitation of the last two verses of Soorat Al-Baqarah,[8] as well as the last three soorahs of the Qur’an.[9]

Our pious predecessors used to busy themselves extensively in reciting the Qur’an during the month of Ramadan.

It was customary for them not to go beyond ten verses before they learned the rulings and the knowledge those ten verses contained.

Etiquettes of Reading The Qur’an

The Qur’an which we recite contains the actual words of Allah revealed to Muhammad (pbuh).

Therefore, we should observe the following when recite it:

1. Seek refuge in Allah before reading it

2. Have the intention that the recitation thereof is purely to seek the pleasure of Allah Alone.

3. Recite with an alert heart that you may comprehend its contents, imagining while reciting it that Allah is speaking to you though the Qur’an.

4. Make sure you are clean before touching the Qur’an. Do not read it when you are in the state of impurity.[10]

5. Do not read the Qur’an in lavatories or similar places.

6. Read it slowly with pleasant sound and rhythm.

7. Prostrate wherever a verse requires prostration.

[1] Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 6, # 545 & 579.

[2] Saheeh Muslim (English trans), # 1745.

[3] Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 6, # 538, and Saheeh Muslim (English trans), # 1743.

[4] At- Tirmithi and Al-Haakim, saheeh [Saheeh Al-Jaami As-Sagheer, 6469]

[5] Saheeh Muslim (English trans) # 1707.

[6] The 255th ayah of Soorat Al-Baqaraj (2).

[7] Saheeh Al-Bakhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 6, #530.

[8] The first edtion of this booklet said “the last ten ayahs,” but Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen confirmed that this was an error. The prophet (pbuh) said, “Whoever recited the last two verses of soorat Al-Baqarah at night, that will be sufficient for him.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 6, # 530.]

[9] Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol, 6, #536-A.

[10] i. e. if you need to make gust.