Hadiths on the Virtues of Reciting the Qur’an
Numerous authentic Hadiths highlight the significance of reciting the Holy Qur’an and encourage its practice. Below are some of these Hadiths:
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whenever a group of people gathers in one of the houses of Allah to recite the Book of Allah and study it among themselves, tranquility descends upon them, mercy envelops them, and the angels surround them. Allah mentions them among those who are with Him.”
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Recite the Qur’an, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor for its companions. Recite the two radiant surahs: Al-Baqarah and Al-Imran, for they will come on the Day of Resurrection like two clouds or like two groups of birds in rows, arguing on behalf of their companions. Recite Surah Al-Baqarah, for taking it is a blessing and abandoning it is a regret, and the magicians cannot handle it.” Muawiya reported that it was conveyed to him that ‘the magicians’ referred to sorcerers.
Hadiths on the Virtues of Memorizing the Qur’an
A wealth of Hadiths underscores the importance of memorizing the Holy Qur’an and encourages this endeavor. Below are some notable examples:
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: “The example of the one who reads the Qur’an while memorizing it is like that of a noble and honorable messenger. And the example of the one who reads it while struggling is like that of two rewards.”
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.”
- A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, I have come to offer you myself in marriage.” The Messenger looked at her thoughtfully, then lowered his head. When the woman saw he did not respond, she sat down. A man from the companions then said: “O Messenger of Allah, if you have no need for her, then marry me to her.” The Messenger asked, “Do you have anything?” The man replied, “No, by Allah, O Messenger of Allah.” The Messenger said, “Go to your family and see if you find anything.” The man went and returned, saying, “No, by Allah, I found nothing.” The Messenger instructed him, “Look for even a ring made of iron.” The man went again but returned saying, “No, by Allah, not even a ring made of iron. However, I have this garment – I have only half of it.” The Messenger replied, “What will she do with your garment? If you wear it, there will be nothing left for her, and if she wears it, there will be nothing left for you.” The man sat for a while, and when he saw he had stayed long, the Messenger called for him and asked, “What do you have of the Qur’an?” The man listed some Surahs he had memorized, and when he affirmed, “Yes,” the Messenger said, “Go, for I have married you to her with what you have of the Qur’an.”
Hadiths on the Virtues of Listening to the Qur’an
Many authentic Hadiths emphasize the merits of listening to the Holy Qur’an and encourage this practice. Below are a few examples:
- Abdullah bin Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to me: “Recite the Qur’an for me.” I replied, “O Messenger of Allah, should I recite to you while it has been revealed to you?” He said, “I wish to hear it from another.” So I began reciting Surah An-Nisa until I reached the verse: {So how [will it be] when disaster strikes them because of what their own hands have earned} [An-Nisa: 41]. When I raised my head, I noticed tears streaming down his cheeks.
Hadiths on the Virtues of the Qur’an Reciter
Numerous Hadiths illustrate the status of the one who recites the Holy Qur’an. Below are some of them:
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The example of a believer who recites the Qur’an is that of a fragrant citron; its scent is pleasant and its taste is good. The example of a believer who does not recite the Qur’an is like a date; its taste is good, but it has no fragrance. The example of a disbeliever who recites the Qur’an is like a wild plant; its scent is pleasant, but its taste is bitter. And the example of a disbeliever who does not recite the Qur’an is like the colocynth; its taste is bitter, and it has no fragrance. The example of the good companion is like that of a musk seller; if you do not get any musk, you will still have its pleasant smell. The example of a bad companion is like that of a blacksmith; if you do not burn yourself, you will still catch the smoke.”
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “There is no envy except in two cases: a man whom Allah has taught the Qur’an, and he recites it day and night, and his neighbor hears him and wishes: ‘Would that I had been given like so-and-so so that I might do as he does.’ And a man whom Allah has given wealth, and he spends it in truth, and another man says: ‘Would that I had been given like so-and-so so that I might do as he does.’
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’an: ‘Recite and ascend, and maintain a good pace as you used to in the world; for your place will be at the last verse you recite.’
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, Allah has chosen some among the people. They asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, who are they?’ He replied: ‘They are the people of the Qur’an, the people of Allah and His special ones.’
Hadiths on the Merits of the Holy Qur’an
A multitude of Hadiths describes the virtues of the Holy Qur’an and advocates for its reading. Here are a few notable examples:
- It was reported by Al-Nawwas bin Samaan Al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The Qur’an will be brought on the Day of Resurrection along with its people who used to act by it; leading it will be Surah Al-Baqarah and Al-Imran.’ The Messenger (peace be upon him) made three comparisons for them that I have not forgotten since: They will be like two clouds or like two shades that are so dark between them there will be light, or like two groups of birds in rows, arguing on behalf of their companions.”
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Rejoice, rejoice! Do you not testify that there is no deity but Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah?” They replied, “Yes.” He said: “Indeed, this Qur’an is a cause; one end of it is in the hand of Allah, and the other end is in your hands. So hold fast to it, for you will never go astray or perish after it.”