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Fatwa CenterEtiquette and reward of reciting the Qur'an
Question
Assalamu alaikumWhat should be the purpose of reading the Quran? Is reading the Quran without understanding good?What are the benefits of reciting the Quran?And what are the prerequisites of reciting the Quran?Some people wants to recite the Quran as much as they can in the month of Ramadan, but they don't understand its meaning. They use to say that Allah rewards many times for simply reading the Quran.
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
One's first goal of reading the Qur'an should to please Allah. Imam Al-Nawawi (May Allah's mercy be upon him) said in his book Al-Tibyan Fi Adaab Hamalatul Qur'an: 'A teacher's and reciter's first purpose should be acquiring Allah's pleasure' Allah says: {And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give Zakât: and that is the right religion} [98:5]
Other goals of reciting Al-Qur'an include: seeking Allah's guidance, His reward and increasing faith.
As for your question concerning reciting the Qur'an without understanding, know that there is no harm in such a situation although it is much better for one to understand as stated in the Qur'an: {(This is) a Book (the Qur'an) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember.} [38:29]
As for benefits of recitation of Qur'an, here are some of them:
1- The Qur'an will intercede for its reciter on the Day of Judgment as the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Recite the Qur'an, since it will be an intercessor to its owners (those who read, learn, teach and practise)." [ Muslim from Abu Umamah (RAA)].
2- The Qur'an will help one occupy the highest ranks in the other life as well as the one who finds difficulty in recitation will receive a double reward; i.e. of reading and facing difficulties. A sound Hadith recorded by Bukhari and Muslim from Aisha (RAA) said ' The one who recites the Qura'n skillfully will be with angels on the Day of Judgement; the one who recites it with difficulty will be rewarded in double.'
For more details concerning benefits, please check with:
-Al-Burhaan Fi Uloom Al-Qur'an, al-Zrkashi.
-Fadeel Al-Qur'an, al-Nasai
-Fadeel Al-Qur'an, Abu Bakr Ibn Abu Shaibah.
After that, here are some prerequisites for recitation:
1- One must be on full purity before touching the Qur'an.
2- Bearing in mind acquiring Allah's pleasure through this act.
3- One has to imagine, according to Imam Al-Nawawi, that he is talking with Allah, since one recites His Real Words, and He sees us.
4- One is advised to have a clean place, turning one's face towards Al-Qiblah.
5- One is advised to say: {A'uzu Billah i Minashaitan al-Rajim} at the start.
6- One is advised to start with: {Bismilla al-Rahman al-Rahim} at the beginning of every Sura.
7- One is advised to have good understanding and submission.
Allah knows best
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