Reciting Qur’an

Allah the Exalted says:

“So, when the Qur'an is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy.” (Surat Al-A’raf: 204).

The Prophet Mohammad said: “Whoever reads a letter from the Holy Qur’an, he will have a reward and the reward is equivalent to ten rewards. I am not saying ‘Alif-Lam-Mim’ is one letter but ‘Alif’ is a letter, ‘Lam’ is a letter and ‘Mim’ is a letter.” (narrated by At-Tirmidhi and Hakem).

Note that, when we read Qur’an we have to recite it and read it slowly, ponder over its meanings and stories and be ready to submit to its commands. Allah says:

“And recite the Qur'an (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and) style.” (Surat Al-Muzzammil: 4). Here in this ayah (verse) the ruling is compulsory. Abduallah bin Masoud was saying: “If you heard ‘Ya ayuha aladheena amano’ (O you who believe!) listen carefully because it is either an order to obey or it is a forbidding evil action to avoid.”

Furthermore, there are many traditions that talk about the superiority of reading Qur’an and the superiority of some surah (chapters) of Qur’an such as the following tradition in which the Prophet Mohammad  pointing out the superiority of reciting Qur’an especially the two surahs (chapters): Al-Baqarah  and Al-‘Imran. The Prophet of Allah said: “Read the Qur'an, because it will intercede on behalf of its people on the Day of Resurrection. Read the two lights, Al-Baqarah and Al ‘Imran, because they will come in the shape of two clouds, two shades or two lines of birds on the Day of Resurrection and will argue on behalf of their people on that Day. Read Al-Baqarah, because in having it there is blessing, and in ignoring there is a sorrow and the sorceresses cannot memorize it.” (Reported by Sahih Muslim).

It was narrated by Sa’aid El-Khodray about the superiority of reciting Surat Al-Kahf on Friday that the Prophet Mohammad said: “Whoever  recites  Surat al-Kahf  on Friday, light shall shine forth for him between  the two Fridays.”(narrated by Hakem and Bayhaqi and corrected by Al-Albani).

It was narrated by Abu Said Al-Khudari about the superiority of reciting Surat Al-Ikhlas:

The Prophet said to his companions, "Is it difficult for any of you to recite one third of the Qur'an in one night?" This suggestion was difficult for them so they said, "Who among us has the power to do so, O Allah's Apostle?" Allah’s Apostle replied: "Allah (the) One, the Self-Sufficient Master Whom all creatures need.'  (Surat Al-Ikhlas, 112, till end) is equal to one third of the Qur'an." (Reported by Sahih Bukhari).

There are two kinds of people according to their reciting:

The Prophet of Allah said: “He who is skillful in reciting the Qur’an is with the unveiled, honorable, and pious.   And he who stutters when reading the Qur’an, (and its recitation) is difficult upon him, will receive two rewards.” (Reported by Bukhari).

In general, the people who read Qur’an are in three divisions according to their rewards and sins:

1- The reader, who recites the Qur’an skillfully while applying the rules of recitation (Tajweed), has a reward.

2- The reader who learned how to recite the Qur’an in the right way and learned the rules of recitation (Tajweed) but is unable to do it, in the right way because of his accent or because he has problems in uttering some letters, has a reward.

3- The one who is proud on learning the rules of recitation and insists on his opinion and doesn’t accept advices and does not learn the right way of reciting, is a sinful reader.

The Prophet Mohammad said: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’an: Recite and rise in status, recite as you used to recite in the world, for your status will be at the last verse that you recite.” (narrated by Abu Dawood and At-Tirmidhi).

Learning Tajweed (intonation) is compulsory:

It was narrated that Abduallah bin Masoud was listening to a man reading Qur’an and the man read:

(Translation)

“As-Sadaqat (here it means Zakat) are only for the Fuqara (poor), and Al-Masakin (the poor)” (Surat At-Taubah: 60) without prolongation, bin Masoud said: “The Prophet Mohammad didn’t read it like this.” The man said: “How did he read it?” bin Masoud said: (Like this) and he prolongated it.” (narrated by Saeed bin Mansour).