Benefits and Virtues of Reciting the Quran

Benefits and Virtues of Reciting the Quran

Quran is the 4th and last sacred Holy Book of Almighty Allah. Quran is the Book of guidance for whole mankind. It was revealed on our beloved Prophet (SAW) who is the last Prophet of Allah Almighty. Quran is the Divine book towards which Muslims turn when there is any problem because Quran has the solution to every problem and it is guidance for every aspect of life.

Allah Almighty said about Quran: “This is the Book (the Quran), whereof there is no doubt, guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqoon [the pious]” (Quran, 2:2)

Indeed the Book of Allah is not a book like any other, it is the timeless Speech of Allah, not a created thing, and the study guide for life and death and what comes after. Therefore it deserves a more careful study than anyone else’s speech. So, as a Muslim, we should recite Quran daily with better understanding so that we can earn Allah’s blessings in this life and the hereafter.

Rewards of Reciting the Quran

Muslims will earn great rewards for reciting the Quran and implementing it in their daily life routine. We will discuss below some rewards from Quran and Hadiths in this article. In Hadith Prophet (SAW) stated that: “Whoever recites ten Ayahs (verses) in qiyaam will not be recorded as one of the forgetful. Whoever recites a hundred Ayahs (verses) in qiyaam will be recorded as one of the devout, and whoever prays a thousand Ayahs (verses) in qiyaam will be recorded as one of the muqantareen (those who pile up good deeds).” (Abu Dawood)

The rewards of reciting the Quran are many. In another Hadith, our beloved Prophet (SAW) said: “Verily the one who recites the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have TWICE that reward.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari). So from this hadith, we can say that a person will get the double reward that is trying hard and doing extra effort to learn and recite Quran for pleasing Allah Almighty. We should try to get hard for reciting Quran in this way Allah will be pleased with us and we will get great rewards in this life and the hereafter.

Reciting and teaching the Holy Qur’an is the most virtuous act. It is
sufficient for one to understand that this is the Divine Word of Allah
and the foundation of Islam and the Laws of Islam is based on this.
To recite it and thoroughly study it, allows man to reach a special
closeness to Allah. At this juncture, a few Hadith are being presented
in this regard.

Hadith 1: In Sahih Bukhari on the authority of Hazrat Uthman-Ghani (رضي الله عنه) it is reported that the Prophet said, ‘The best amongst
you is he who learns the Holy Qur’an and teaches it’.

Hadith 2: In Sahih Muslim, it is reported on the authority of Uqbah
bin Aamir (رضي الله عنه) that Rasoolullah asked if any of us would like to go
to the market of Buthaan or Aqeeq, and fetch from there two she-camels of the finest breed without committing any sin or severing a
tie of kinship. We replied that ‘every one of us would love to do so’.
Rasoolullah then said, ‘Why not go to the Musjid during the
morning and learn two verses of the Kitaabullah1
as this is better
than (attaining) two camels and three (verses) are better than three
(camels) and four (verses) are better than four (camels), and this is
based on the same analogy’.

Hadith 3: In Sahih Bukhari and Muslim it is reported from Abu
Musa Ash’ari (رضي الله عنه) that Rasoolullah said, ‘The example of a believer
who recites the Qur’an is like a citron, which tastes good and has a
good scent. The example of a believer who does not recite the Qur’an
is like a date, which tastes sweet but has no smell, and the example
of the munafiq2
who does not recite the Qur’an is like that of a
colocynth3
which tastes bitter and has no scent, and the example of a hypocrite who recites the Qur’an is like a flower, which has a scent
but tastes bitter’.

Hadith 4: In Sahih Muslim, it is reported from Hazrat Umar (رضي الله عنه) that
Rasoolullah said, ‘By way of this Book, Allah grants eminence to
many and causes many to become inferior’. In other words, there is
eminence for those who believe in it and act upon it, and for others
there is inferiority.

Hadith 5: In Bukhari and Muslim it is reported on the authority of
Hazrat A’isha (رضي الله عنه)
that Rasoolullah said, ‘The one proficient
in reciting the Qur’an is with Kiraaman Kaatibeen1
. The one who
does not recite the Qur’an fluently because it is difficult for him (due
to stammering) then for him there are two rewards’.

Hadith 6: It is in Sharh-us-Sunnah on the authority of Abdur
Rahmaan bin Auf (رضي الله عنه) that Nabi Kareem said that three things will
be under the Arsh2
on the day of Qiyaamah; The Qur’an, which will
argue for the servants (of Allah). It has clear and concealed
(meanings); and Amaanat (Trust); and kinship, which will call out by
saying, ‘Whoever has maintained me, Allah will uphold him and
whoever has severed me, Allah will deny him’.

Hadith 7: Imam Ahmed, Tirmizi, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i have
reported on the authority of Abdullah ibn Amar (رضي الله عنه) that
Rasoolullah said, ‘The one who has memorized the Qur’an will be
asked to recite and ascend, and recite with Tarteel3
like you used to
recite with Tarteel in the world; your manzil4
will be where you
recited your last Ayat (verse)’.

 

Hadith 8: Tirmizi and Daarimi have reported on the authority of
Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) that Rasoolullah said, ‘the one whose inside (i.e. his
chest) has no Qur’an is like a vacant house’.
Hadith 9: Tirmizi and Daarimi have reported on the authority of
Abu Sa’eed  that Rasoolullah said that Almighty Allah says
‘whosoever the (recitation) of the Qur’an has kept back from my Zikr
and from invoking me, I will grant him better than that which I
bestow upon those who invoke Me’. The excellence of the Divine
Word of Allah over all other words is like Allah’s Divine Preeminence over His entire creation.

Hadith 10: Tirmizi and Daarimi have reported on the authority of
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (رضي الله عنه) that Rasoolullah said, ‘The person who
recites a single alphabet of the Kitaabullah (Glorious Qur’an) will be
awarded with the reward of one good deed, which is equivalent to
the reward of ten good deeds. I do not say that 2
‘Alif Laam Meem’ is المۤ
a single alphabet, but Alif is one alphabet, Laam is the second
alphabet and Meem is the third alphabet’.

Hadith 11: Abu Dawud has reported on the authority of Hazrat
Mu’az Jahni ؓ◌ that Rasoolullah said, ‘Whosoever recited the
Qur’an and then practiced upon whatever is therein, on the day of
Qiyaamat his parents will be adorned with a crown, the radiance of
which is greater than the sun, but if it were in your homes. Hence,
what is your view about that person who practices in accordance
with what is in it?’

Hadith 12: Imam Ahmed, Tirmizi, Ibn Majah and Daarimi have
reported on the authority of Hazrat Ali ؓ◌ that Rasoolullah said,
‘Whoever recited the Qur’an and memorized it, regarding that which
it has ordained as Halaal (Lawful), to be Halaal and that which it has
255
ordained as Haraam (forbidden) to be Haraam. Allah ta’aala will
accept his intercession on behalf of ten such members of his family,
upon whom jahanaum (hell) had become already waajib’ (their
actions already condemned them to hell).

Hadith 13: Tirmizi, Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah have reported from Abu
Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) that Rasoolullah said, ‘Learn the Qur’an and recite it,
for he who has learned the Qur’an and read it and performed Qiyaam
reciting it is like a bag filled with musk. The fragrance of which
spreads out everywhere, and whoever learned the Qur’an and slept,
meaning he did not perform Qiyaamul Layl1
, is like a bag which is
filled with musk and its opening has been tied up’.

Hadith 14: Baihaqi reported in Sha’bul Imaan on the authority of
Ibn Umar ماعن عا االله
ر that Rasoolullah said, ‘These hearts also
become rusted similar to how iron becomes rusted when affected by
water. It was queried ‘Ya Rasool’Allah! With what can it attain its
brightness again?’ He said, ‘By remembering a death in abundance
and by the recitation of the Glorious Qur’an’.

Hadith 15: It is reported in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim from
Jundub bin Abdullah (رضي الله عنه) that Rasoolullah said, ‘Continue reciting
the Qur’an until such time that you feel bliss and yearning in doing
so and when the heart becomes exhausted, then stand up’. In other
words, stop the recitation.

Hadith 16: It is reported in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim from Abu
Hurairah ؓ◌ that Rasoolullah said, Allah does not direct His Divine
Attention towards anyone else as much as He Directs His Divine
Attention towards this Nabi, who recites the Qur’an in the most
beautiful voice.
256

Hadith 17: It is reported in Sahih Bukhari from Hazrat Abu
Hurairah that Rasoolullah said, ‘The person who does not
recite the Qur’an with Taghani2
, is not from amongst us’. It has also
been mentioned regarding this Hadith that ‘Taghani’ in this Hadith
refers to ‘Istighna’. In other words, it means that one should not take
compensation from someone in return for reciting the Holy Qur’an.
Hadith 18: Imam Ahmed, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and Daarimi
have reported on the authority of Bara’ ibn Aazib ؓ◌that Rasoolullah
said, ‘Adorn the recitation of the Holy Qur’an with your voices’.
In the narration cited in Daarimi it is mentioned as follows: Beautify
the Qur’an (i.e. recitation of the Qur’an) with your voices, for a good
voice increases the attractiveness of the Qur’an (i.e. of the recitation
of the Qur’an).
Hadith 19: Baihaqi reported from Ubaidah Mulaiki ؓ◌ that
Rasoolullah said, ‘O People of the Qur’an! Do not make the Qur’an
a pillow’. In other words, do not be lazy and careless, and recite the
Qur’an during the day and at night, as it is the demand of recitation,
and spread it, and make Taghani’. In other words, recite it with good
voices, or do not take compensation for (reciting) it, and whatever is
in it, reflect upon it, so that you may attain salvation, and do not be
hasty in its reward because the reward for it (which will be attained
in the hereafter) is great.
Hadith 2O: Abu Dawud and Baihaqi have reported on the
authority of Jaabir ؓ◌. We were reciting the Glorious Qur’an, and
Bedouins and non-Arabs (westerners) were amongst us.

 

Just then, Rasoolullah arrived and said, ‘Recite the Qur’an! All of
you are virtuous. Afterward, (such) nations will come, who will
straighten the Qur’an, as straight as an arrow, and they will prefer to
take the compensation for it in haste, and they will not want to delay
taking it’. In other words, they will want the compensation (reward)
for it in this world.
Hadith 21: Baihaqi reported on the authority of Huzaifa  that
Rasoolullah said ‘Recite the Qur’an in the tone (mannerism) and
accent of the Arabs. Abstain from the tone (i.e. manner of recitation)
of the Ahl-e-Ishq and the Jews and Christians. In other words,
abstain from singing, like it is done in a musical manner. After me,
such a nation will come that will recite the Qur’an with Tarjee1
, just
as Tarjee is performed in singing and in mourning. The Qur’an will
not go beyond their throats. Their hearts are afflicted with
waywardness and so are the (hearts) of those who enjoy this manner
(of theirs)’.
Hadith 22: It is reported from Abu Sa’eed bin Mual’la (رضي الله عنه) in Sahih
Bukhari. I was engrossed in my Namaaz and Nabi called for me. I
did not reply. (On completing Namaaz) I presented myself in the
Holy Presence of Rasoolullah and said, ‘Ya Rasool’Allah! I was
praying Namaaz.’ He asked, ‘is it not the Command of Allah
‘Present yourself before Allah and His
Rasool when They summon you’ [Surah 8 Verse 24]. He then said,
‘before leaving the Musjid, I will inform (you) regarding the greatest
Surah of the Qur’an’, and Huzoor held my hand. When I intended
to leave the Musjid, I said, ‘Huzoor mentioned that you would
educate me regarding the greatest Surah of the Qur’an before I left
the Musjid’.
_______________________________________________________________________

1. Tarjee refers to a repetitive manner of recitation
258
-ر:ب ْال -عالم*&% (is It, ‘(said He
,دi*الله*
ْ
حمل-ْا It is that which is Saba’ Mathani1
and the Qur’an-e-Azeem which I have received’.
Hadith 23: It is reported in Tirmizi on the authority of Abu
Hurairah that Rasoolullah asked Ubay bin Ka’ab, ‘How do you
recite in Namaaz?’ He (then) recited Ummul Qur’an, in other words,
Surah Fatiha. I swear by Him, in Whose Hand (i.e. Divine Power) is
my life, that there is no Surah equivalent to it in the Taurat, Injeel,
and Zaboor or in the Qur’an. It is the Saba’ Mathani and the Qur’ane-Azeem which I have received’.
Hadith 24: Surah Fatiha is a cure for every illness. [Daarimi,
Baihaqi]

Hadith 25: It is reported in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Ibn
Abbas ماعن عا االله
ر who says that Jibra’eel
was in the Presence of
Rasoolullah when a voice was heard from above. He raised his
head and (then) said that this Door of the Sky was only opened
today. Before today, this door has never been opened. An Angel
descended (and) Jibra’eel said that this angel has never come
down to earth before today. He conveyed Salaam and then conveyed
glad tidings to Huzoor saying that two Noors have been bestowed
upon Huzoor and before Huzoor no other Nabi had ever
received this. These two Noors are Surah Fatiha and the latter
verses of Surah Baqara. Whichever alphabet you recite, will be
rewarded.
Hadith 26: It is reported in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Abu
Hurairah ؓ◌ that Rasoolullah said, ‘Do not turn your homes into
graveyards, for Shaytaan, flee from that home in which Surah Baqara
is recited’.
______________________________________________________________________

1. Saba’ Mathani refers to the seven verses of Surah Faateha and is also one of the many names
of Surah Faateha.
259
Hadith 27: It is reported in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Abu
Umama  (رضي الله عنه) that, I heard Rasoolullah saying, ‘Recite the Qur’an, for
on the Day of Qiyaamat it will come forth as an intercessor for those
who recited it. Recite Baqara and Aal-e-Imraan, the two glowing
Surahs, as both of them, will come forth in such a manner, like two
clouds or two roofs or like two flocks of birds in rows. Both of them
will argue on behalf of those who recited them’. In other words, they
shall intercede (make Shafa’at) for them. ‘Recite Surah Baqara, for to
take it is Barkat (a blessing) and to leave it is regrettable and the Ahle-Baatil1 do not have the ability to do it’.
Hadith 28: It is in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Ubay bin
Ka’ab ؓ◌that Rasoolullah said, ‘O Abul Munzir! (This was the title
of Ubay bin Ka’ab) Which is the greatest (i.e. most supreme) verse of
the Holy Qur’an that you have with you?’ I said, ‘Allah and His Rasool
Knows Best’. Huzoor said, ‘O Abul Munzir! Which is the greatest
verse of the Holy Qur’an that you have with you?’ I said: -لا, الله-اٰ-
ا*ل
ا*لا.
–
G,و
^
ْ ,م ْال-p
و
^
قي-ال) ْIn other words Ayat-ul-Kursi)’. Huzoor rا آيت struck
my chest with his blessed hand and said, ‘Abul Munzir! May
knowledge bring you delight’.
Hadith 29: It is reported in Sahih Bukhari on the authority of Abu
Hurairah ؓ◌ that Rasoolullah appointed me to safeguard the
charity of Ramadan (Sadqa Fitr). A person appeared and began to fillup (take) provisions. I caught hold of him and said ‘I will take you
into the Holy Presence of Rasoolullah ’. He said,
____________________________________________________________________

1. Ahl-e-Baatil refers to the People of Falsehood, i.e. the corrupt deviants.
260
‘I am very needy and have many dependants’. I pitied him and let
him go. In the morning, Huzoor said, ‘O Abu Hurairah, what
happened to your prisoner of last night?’ I said, ‘Ya Rasool’Allah!
He complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so, I
pitied him and let him go’. He said, ‘Indeed he has lied to you and
he will return’. I knew that (undoubtedly) he would return because
Huzoor said that he would, I anticipated his return. He returned
and began to fill-up (i.e. take more) provisions (foodstuff). I caught
hold of him and said, ‘I will take you into the Holy Presence of
Rasoolullah ’. He said ‘I am very needy and have many
dependents. Please let me go, and I promise that I shall not come
back again’. I pitied him and let him go. In the morning, Huzoor
asked, ‘O Abu Hurairah! (رضي الله عنه) What happened to your prisoner?’ I said,
‘He complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so I
pitied him and let him go.’ Huzoor said, ‘Indeed he has lied to you
and he will return again’. I anticipated his return. He returned and
began to fill-up the provisions. I caught hold of him and said, ‘I will
surely take you before Rasoolullah as this is the third time you
have returned. You go on promising that you will not come back, but
you still return.’ He said, ‘Let me go and I will teach you such words,
by which Allah will grant you benefit. Whenever you go to bed,
ٰ- ا-الله, لا- ‘Kursi Ayatul ‘recite
ا*ل
ا*لا.
–
G,و
^
ْ ,م ْال-p
و
^
قي-ال ْuntil the end of the entire
verse, (and) Allah will appoint a protector over you and shaitaan will
not come near you until morning’. So, I let him go. In the morning
Huzoor asked, ‘O Abu Hurairah! What happened to your
prisoner?’ I said, ‘He said that he would teach me a few words by
which Allah will grant me benefit’. Huzoor said ‘He has really
spoken the truth, yet he is an absolute liar, and do you know whom
you were talking to, these past three nights?’ I said, ‘No’. Huzoor
said, ‘It was shaitaan’.
261
Hadith 30: In Sahih Bukhari, it is reported from Abu Mas’ud ؓ◌
that Rasoolullah said, ‘If a person recites the last two verses of
Surah Baqara at night, then it is sufficient for him’.
Hadith 31: Almighty Allah inscribed a Book two thousand years
before creating the skies and the earth. From it, he revealed two
verses, which are the closing verses of Surah Baqara. Shaitaan will
not go near that house wherein it is recited for three nights. [Tirmizi,
Daarimi]
Hadith 32: ‘The last two verses of Surah Baqara are from amongst
those ‘Treasures of Allah’ which are under the ‘Arsh’. Allah has
granted me (these) two verses. Learn (memorize) them and teach it
to your womenfolk, as they are a blessing and (a means of) attaining
closeness to Allah, and a Dua (invocation)’. [Daarimi]
Hadith 33: It is in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Abu Dardah ؓ◌
that Rasoolullah said, ‘the person who learns (memorizes) the
first ten verses of Surah Kahf will be protected from Daj’jaal.’
Hadith 34: That person, who recites Surah Kahf on Friday, will
receive a glowing light between two Jummahs. [Baihaqi]
Hadith 35: Everything has a heart and the ‘Heart of the Qur’an’ is
‘Yaseen’. Allah ta’aala will record (the reward of) ten Qur’ans for the
one who recites (Surah) Yaseen (once). [Tirmizi, Daarimi]

Hadith 36: Allah recited (As it is befitting Him) Ta’ha and Yaseen
one thousand years before creating the earth and the sky. When the
Angels heard it, they said ‘Glad tidings upon the Ummah, unto whom
this will be revealed and glad tidings unto those chests which will
262
hold this within them, and glad tidings unto those tongues who will
recite it.’ [Daarimi]

Hadith 37: The past sins of whosoever recite Yaseen solely for
attaining the pleasure of Allah shall be forgiven. Thus, recite it at the
side of your deceased. [Baihaqi]

Hadith 38: Whosoever recites Ha Meem Al Muminoon until Ilaihil
Maseer and ‘Ayatul Kursi’ in the morning, he will be safe until the
evening, and whosoever recites it in the evening, he will remain safe
until morning. [Tirmizi, Daarimi]

Hadith 39: The person, who recites Ha Meem Ad-Dukhan on the
eve of a Friday will attain forgiveness. [Tirmizi]

Hadith 40: Nabi Kareem would never retire to bed unless he
had completed reciting Alif Laam Meem Tanzeel and reciting the

تبارك الذي بيده الملك وهو على كل شيء قدير

 Tabaarak’kal lazee bi Yadihil Mulk. [Ahmed, Tirmizi,
Daarimi]

Hadith 41: Khalid bin Ma’daan ؓ◌ said to recite the Surah which
gives salvation. It is Alif Laam Meem Tanzeel. I have heard that a
very sinful person used to recite it, and he recited nothing else
except this. This Surah spread its wings over him (i.e. shielded him)
and said, ‘O Rub! Forgive him, for he used to recite me abundantly’.
Allah ta’aala accepted its intercession and commanded the Angels to
record well in place of every one of his wrongs and to exalt him
(each time) by one fold. Khalid also said that this (Surah) will dispute
on behalf of its reciter in his grave. It will say, ‘O Allah! If I am from
Your Kitaab (Qur’an), then accept my intercession and if I am not
from Your Kitaab, then remove me from it, and it (the Surah) will
spread its wings over him like a bird and it will intercede for him and
263
will save him from the torment of the grave’. Khalid mentioned
similarly regarding Tabaarak. For as long as Khalid would not recite
both these (Surahs) he would not retire to bed. Ta’us has mentioned
that these two Surahs have been given sixty virtues more than any
other Surah in the Qur’an.

Hadith 42: There is a Surah of thirty verses in the Holy Qur’an
which will intercede for a person until such time that he is forgiven.
That (Surah) is Tabaarak’kal lazee bi Yadihil Mulk. [Ahmed, Tirmizi,
Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah]

Hadith 43: Some Sahaba pitched a tent on a grave. They did not
know that there was a grave there. One from amongst them recited
Tabaarak’kal lazee bi Yadihil Mulk until the end of the Surah. They
presented themselves before the Nabi Kareem and narrated the
entire incident, so Huzoor said, ‘It is Maani’a and Munjiya. It gives
deliverance from the punishment of Allah’. [Tirmizi]

Hadith 44: One who recites Surah Waaqi’a every night will never
face starvation. Hazrat Ibn Mas’ud ؓ◌ used to advise his daughters
that they should recite it every night. [Baihaqi]

Hadith 45: ‘Do you not have the ability to recite one thousand
ayats daily?’ The people replied, ‘Who is it that has the capability to
recite one thousand verses daily?’ He said, ‘Do you not have the
capability to recite Al Haaku Mut’takathur.’ [Baihaqi]

Hadith 46: ‘Are you incapable of reciting one-third of the Qur’an
at night’. The people said, ‘How will someone recite one-third of the
Qur’an’. He said, ‘Qul Huwal’ laahu Ahad is equivalent to one-third
of the Qur’ an’. [Bukhari, Muslim]
264
Hadith 47: Izaa Zulzilat is equivalent to half the Qur’an, Qul
Huwal’laahu Ahad and Qul Ya Ayuhal Kaafiroon are equivalent to
one-quarter of the Qur’an. [Tirmizi]

Hadith 48: The one who recites Qul Huwal’laahu (Surah Ikhlas)
200 times daily will have fifty years of his sins wiped out, except that
which is due to someone. [Tirmizi]

Hadith 49: On the day of Qiyaamat, Almighty Allah will say to the
one who recites Qul Huwal’laahu Ahad one hundred times whilst on
his bed, resting on his right side, ‘O my servant! Enter into Paradise
(Jannat) from your right’. [Tirmizi]

Hadith 50: Nabi heard a person reciting Qul Huwal’laahu Ahad.
He said, ‘Jannat has become Waajib (upon him)’. [Imam Maalik,
Tirmizi, Nasa’i]

Hadith 51: Someone asked, ‘Ya Rasool’Allah! Which is the
biggest (i.e. most virtuous) Surah in the Holy Qur’an?’ He said,
‘Qul Huwal’ Allahu Ahad’. He enquired, ‘Which is the biggest (most
virtuous) verse in the Holy Qur’an?’ He said, -لا, الله-اٰ-
ا*ل
ا*لا.
–
G,و
^
ْ ,م ْال-p
و
^
Heْ . ال-قي
said ‘Ya Rasool’Allah! To receive which verse is dear to you and
your Ummah’. In other words the benefit and reward of it. He
said, ‘The closing verse of Surah Baqarah, for it is from amongst
those Treasures of Allah which is under the Arsh-e-Ilaahi. Allah has
given that verse to this Ummat. There is no good in the world and in
the hereafter that is not gathered in this verse.’ [Daarimi]
Hadith 52: Allah will assign 70 000 Angels for the one who (in the
morning) recites thrice,ذ- ا
ْ
ْ ع,و ب*االله* *ع
ْ*م . السم*ي
ل*ي
–
ْ-ط * ان *من ْالع
ْ*م . الشي
جي.الر * and then recites
the last three verses of Surah Hashr. They will make Dua for him
until evening, and if he dies on that day, he will die a martyr
265
(shaheed) and whosoever recites it in the evening, he too acquires
the same (reward). [Tirmizi]

Hadith 53: The one who recites the Qur’an should ask for (what
he needs) from Allah. Soon, such people will come, who will recite
the Qur’an and demand (for payment) from people. [Ahmed, Tirmizi]

Hadith 54: That person, who recites the Qur’an and demands
food (as compensation for his recitation) from the people will appear
on the day of Qiyaamat, in a state whereby he will have no flesh on
his face. Only the bones will be visible. [Baihaqi]

Hadith 55: Ibn Abbas ماعن عا االله
ر was asked about accepting
payment for writing down the Mushaf (The Qur’an, i.e. The Holy
Scripture). He said, ‘There was no objection to this. These people
make inscriptions and they earn a means of living from their
handwork.’ In other words, this is a type of skill and to take payment
for it is permissible. [Razeen]
The laws relating to the Tilaawat (i.e. recitation) of the Qur’an-eMajeed etc. have been explained in Bahaar-e-Shariat, Part 3. One
may find more detail there. A few points regarding the Mushaf
Shareef has been presented here.

 

Law: To do gold or silver gilding on the Qur’an is permissible, as this
increases the respect in the eyes of the public. To put in E’rabs and
Nuqtas1
is Mustahsan2
(commendable), because if this were not done,
then most people would not be able to recite it (i.e. The Qur’an)
correctly. Similarly, it is permissible to insert a symbol denoting a
Sajdah on an Ayat-e-Sajdah3
, and inserting a symbol denoting a
Waqf4
or a symbol denoting a Ruku and the Ta’sheer, in other words,
the inserting of a sign after every ten verses. Similarly, it is also
permissible to write the names of the Surahs and to write how many
verses there are. [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Raddul Muhtar]
Nowadays, there is also the practice of publishing translations of the
Holy Qur’an. If the translation is a proper one, then there is also no
objection to this being printed with the Qur’an-e-Majeed, as this
assists one in understanding the meaning of the verse. However, the
the translation should not be published by itself (i.e. the Qur’anic Text in
Arabic should be included).
Law: To use the pages of a history book as a spine for the Qur’an or
as a covering for the books of Tafseer or Fiqh is permissible. [Durr-eMukhtar]
Law: The calligraphy in the Qur’an should be very beautiful and
should be written clearly. The paper and the ink that is used for this
purpose should also be of excellent quality, allowing it to look good
to the one who looks at it. [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Raddul Muhtar]
________________________________________________________________________

1. E’rabs and Nuqtas here refers to punctuation signs in the text of Qur’an.
2. Mustahsan refers to that which is commendable.
3. Ayat-e-Sajdah refers to the verses of the Qur’an, which make it compulsory for one to make
Sajdah on reciting or listening to it.
4. Waqf refers to the stopping sign.
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Some publishers, print on inferior paper using calligraphy that is not
good (not clear) and using inferior quality ink. This should never be
the case.
Law: To minimize the Hajm1
of the Holy Qur’an is Makruh. [Durr-eMukhtar]
An example of this is that nowadays, certain publishers have
published Ta’weezi Qur’an Majeed, the text of which is so small, that
it cannot even be read. Actually even the pocket edition of the Holy
Qur’an should not be published, as it’s ‘Hajm’ is also minimized
immensely.
Law: If the Qur’an-e-Majeed (i.e. its pages etc.) become old and
unraveled, and is no more in a condition whereby it may be used for
recitation and if there is a risk of its pages becoming separated and
thus lost. It should be wrapped in a clean piece of cloth and buried
with care in a protected place (i.e. in a place where it will not be
disrespected). When burying it, a Lahd2
must be made, so that no
sand falls on it. One may also place a piece of plank over it, like a roof
, and then throw in the sand, so that sand does not fall on it. If the
(text and pages of the) Mushaf Shareef becomes old and unraveled,
it should not be burnt. [Alamgiri]
Law: The significance of the Dictionaries and books of Sarf and
Nahw3
are alike. The books of each can be kept on the books of the
other, and the books of Ilm-ul-Kalaam4
should be kept above these,
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1. Hajm here refers to the thickness and volume of the Qur’an.
2. Lahd here refers to a niche like that which is prepared in a grave.
3. Books of Sarf and Nahw here refers to books of Grammar, i.e. Morphology & Syntax.
4. Books of Ilm-ul-Kalaam refer to Books of Theological Rhetoric.
270
on top of that, should be kept the books of Fiqh and the books of
Ahadith, Guidance, and Books of authentic Duas should be kept
above the books of Fiqh. The Books of Tafseer should be kept above
this and the Qur’an-e-Majeed should be kept right at the top.
Clothing etc. should not be kept on the trunk or casket wherein the
Qur’an is being kept. [Alamgiri]
Law: If one keeps the Holy Qur’an in one’s home solely for the
purpose of attaining Khair-o-Barkat (Blessings), and he does not
recite it at all, then there is no sin in this, but his intention is
deserving of reward. [Khania]
Law: If one keeps his foot on the Qur’an with the intention of
showing disrespect, he will become a kaafir (unbeliever). [Alamgiri]
Law: It is permissible to be intimate with one’s wife in a house in
which the Qur’an is kept, as long as the Qur’an-e-Majeed is covered.
[Alamgiri]
Law: The Qur’an-e-Majeed should be recited in a very good voice.
One should also give Azaan in a good voice. In other words, if one
does not have a good voice, he should try to bring out a good voice.
To recite with ‘Lahn’, whereby there is an increase or decrease in the
alphabets, like the manner that is used by singers, is impermissible.
Actually when reciting, one should give consideration to the
principals of Tajweed. [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Raddul Muhtar]
Law: To recite the Qur’an-e-Majeed in both, the Ma’ruf1
and Shaaz2
manners of recitation at once is Makruh. To recite it, in only the
Qir’at-e-Shaaza, is Makruh to a greater extent. [Durr-e-Mukhtar,
Raddul Muhtar]
271
Actually, the Qir’at that is most common in that place should be the
Qir’at that is recited in the presence of the general public there, so
that they may not reject it due to their lack of knowledge.
Law: It is the practice amongst the Muslims, that whilst reciting the
Qur’an, if they have to get up and go somewhere, they close the
Qur’an and they do not leave whilst leaving it opened. This is a sign
of respect. However, it is common to talk amongst some people that if
the Qur’an is left open, shaitaan will recite from it. There is no
source of this. Possibly this has been made-up to direct the attention
of children towards the etiquettes (of the Qur’an).
Law: It is also from amongst the etiquettes of the Qur’an not to face
ones back towards it, or spread out the feet towards it. Neither
should you raise your feet higher than the Qur’an, and nor should
one sit in such a manner whereby one is sitting at a higher position
and the Qur’an is kept lower.
Law: To keep the Qur’an-e-Majeed in a Juzdaan3 or to wrap it in a
Ghilaaf4
is respectful. This has been the practice of the Muslims since
the era of the illustrious Sahaba-e-Kiraam and eminent Taabi’een
ر
االله عا عنم اجمع
Law: The shavings of a new pencil may be thrown anywhere, but
the shavings of an old pencil should be kept in a proper place. It
________________________________________________________________________

1. Ma’ruf here refers to the well-known manner of recitation.
2. Shaaz or Qir’at-e-Shaaza refers to the rare manner of recitation from it. There is no source of
this. Possibly this has been made-up to direct the attention of children towards the etiquettes
(of the Qur’an).
3. Juzdaan here refers to the case or the bag wherein the Qur’an is kept.
4. Ghilaaf here refers to the covering of the Qur’an.
272
should not be thrown away. The same applies to the grass and
sweepings from the Musjid. This too must be put in a proper place. It
should not be thrown in a place where it is regarded as disrespectful.
[Alamgiri]
It is Makruh to wrap (or keep) anything in the paper that has Allah’s
Name written on it. To keep money in a purse which has Allah’s
Name written on it, is not Makruh. To wipe one’s hands with paper
after eating food is Makruh. [Alamgiri]