Spiritual and Worldly Benefits of Reading the Quran

The Holy Qur’an is an eternal, timeless, and magnificent book. It is not merely a religious text but a complete code of life that Allah, the Lord of all worlds, sent as the final divine scripture for humanity. Moreover, it is the primary source of all knowledge, a guide to ultimate truth, and the wellspring of guidance for every human being. Anyone seeking the right path at the crossroads of life must turn to the Qur’an.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“Hold fast to the Qur’an, for it is nourishment for the mind, a light of wisdom, a fountain of knowledge, and the most recent of the books revealed by the Most Merciful.”

(Darimi, Hadith: 3370)

The word “Qur’an” (القرآن) means “that which is recited.” It is so named because it encompasses everything from commands and prohibitions to laws, morals, and knowledge of this world and the Hereafter. Join us as we explore the magnificent Benefits of reading Quran, a divine practice that fills a believer’s life with success in this world and the next.

The Unparalleled Virtues of Learning the Qur’an: The Standard of Excellence

Islam gives the pursuit of Qur’anic knowledge the highest importance. In fact, it is an act that elevates an ordinary person to an extraordinary status in the eyes of Allah.

1. The Honor of Being the Best of People

In a society with diverse classes and professions, what is the true measure of excellence? The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) established this standard in a sublime declaration:

خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ

“The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 5027)

Just as the bearer of the Qur’an is honored in life, their status remains undiminished even after death. For instance, during the burial of the martyrs of Uhud, the Prophet (ﷺ) would ask which of them knew more of the Qur’an. He would then order them to place the more knowledgeable person in the grave first. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 1343)

2. The Privilege of Being Among Allah’s People

Who are the true people of Allah? The Prophet (ﷺ) answers this beautifully:

أَهْلُ الْقُرْآنِ هُمْ أَهْلُ اللهِ وَخَاصَّتُهُ

“The people of the Qur’an are the people of Allah and His chosen ones.”

(Ahmad, Hadith: 12301; Sahih al-Targhib, Hadith: 1432)

Therefore, whoever holds fast to the Qur’an out of love for Allah, Allah Himself loves them and considers them among His closest servants.

3. The Importance of Tajweed in Recitation

Allah Almighty instructs us to recite the Qur’an slowly, beautifully, and correctly. This highlights the Importance of Tajweed. Indeed, errors in pronunciation or rules of Tajweed can alter a verse’s meaning, which can be a serious sin. Allah the Almighty says:

وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلاً

“And recite the Qur’an with measured recitation.”

(Surah Al-Muzzammil, 73:4)

Furthermore, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) encouraged his followers, saying:

“Beautify the Qur’an with your voices, for a beautiful voice increases the beauty of the Qur’an.”

(Darimi, Hadith: 3544)

4. An Enviable Status

Competition and righteous envy in good deeds are praiseworthy in Islam. The Prophet (ﷺ) said that envy is permissible in only two cases:

“A person whom Allah has bestowed with the knowledge of the Qur’an, and they recite it day and night. And a person whom Allah has given wealth, and they spend it (in charity) day and night.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 73)

The Wondrous Benefits of reading Quran: Limitless Rewards

Regular recitation of the Qur’an is an act of worship. It serves as nourishment for the soul and a means of earning limitless rewards.

1. Ten Rewards for Every Letter

No other book in the world offers such a reward for its reading. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) clearly stated:

“Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah will receive one good deed, and one good deed is multiplied by ten. I do not say that ‘Alif-Lam-Mim’ is one letter, but ‘Alif’ is a letter, ‘Lam’ is a letter, and ‘Mim’ is a letter.”

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2910)

2. The Status of the Reciter: An Analogy

The Prophet (ﷺ) explained the excellence of a Qur’an reciter through a beautiful example:

“The believer who recites the Qur’an is like the utrujjah (citron), which has a pleasant smell and a sweet taste. The believer who does not recite the Qur’an is like a date, which has no smell but tastes sweet. The hypocrite who recites the Qur’an is like the rayhana (sweet basil), which has a pleasant smell but a bitter taste. And the hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’an is like a colocynth, which has no smell and a bitter taste.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 5427)

3. Elevation of Worldly Honor and Status

The Qur’an honors its bearer not only in the Hereafter but also in this world. During his caliphate, Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) questioned why his governor of Makkah had appointed a freed slave as his deputy. The governor, Nafi’ (RA), explained, “He is a learned scholar of the Book of Allah and is knowledgeable in the laws of inheritance.” Upon hearing this, Umar (RA) affirmed the Prophet’s (ﷺ) words:

“Verily, Allah elevates some people with this Book and abases others.”

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 817)

4. High Status in the Heavens and on Earth

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) also said:

“You must recite the Qur’an, for it is a light for you on earth and a treasure for you in the heavens.”

(Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith: 361)

5. The Descent of Tranquility and Mercy (Sakinah)

Bara ibn Azib (RA) narrated a relevant story. A man was reciting Surah Al-Kahf at night when a cloud began to envelop him, causing his horse to become agitated. The next morning, he told the Prophet (ﷺ) what had happened. The Prophet (ﷺ) replied:

“That was the ‘Sakinah’ (tranquility and special mercy from Allah), which descended because of the recitation of the Qur’an.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 5011)

This incident is a powerful testament to the tangible Benefits of reading Quran, as it brings tranquility directly from Allah.

6. The Company of Honored Angels

While a proficient reciter has a high status, Allah gives a special reward to those who struggle. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“The one who is proficient in the Qur’an will be with the noble and righteous scribes (angels). And the one who recites the Qur’an and stutters in it, finding it difficult, will have a double reward.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 4937)

The Qur’an in the Hereafter: A Charter of Salvation

On the difficult Day of Judgment, the Qur’an will come as a loyal friend to its reader when nothing else can help.

1. An Intercessor on the Day of Judgment

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) gave us this assurance:

“Recite the Qur’an, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor for its companions.”

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 804)

Specifically, he mentioned that Surah Al-Baqarah and Al-Imran will come like two clouds, arguing on behalf of their reciters. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 805)

2. Attaining the Highest Ranks in Paradise

A person’s rank in Paradise will be determined by how much of the Qur’an they mastered. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“It will be said to the companion of the Qur’an (in Paradise), ‘Recite, and rise, and recite slowly and distinctly as you used to recite in the world. For your rank will be at the last verse you recite.'”

(Abu Dawood, Hadith: 1464; Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2914)

3. A Special Honor: Rewards for Parents of a Hafiz

The rewards of memorizing Quran extend not only to the individual but also to their family. One of the greatest Rewards for parents of a Hafiz is the honor they will receive on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet (ﷺ) said their parents will be clothed in a garment more precious than the entire world. When they ask why they received this honor, it will be said to them:

“As a reward for your child learning the Qur’an.”

(Tabarani, Al-Awsat, Hadith: 5764)

4. Protection from the Hellfire

Allah will not punish a heart that has contained the Qur’an. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) confirmed this, saying:

“…For Allah will never punish a heart that has preserved the Qur’an.”

(Darimi, Hadith: 3319)

Practical Application and Special Times

The Importance of Preserving Memorization

Forgetting the Qur’an after memorizing it is a great loss. For this reason, the Prophet (ﷺ) urged constant revision. He compared it to an untied camel that quickly runs away, saying:

“Keep reviewing the Qur’an. By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, it is more likely to escape than a camel from its rope.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 5033)

Increased Recitation During Ramadan

Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed. During this time, the Angel Jibril (AS) would meet the Prophet (ﷺ) every night to recite the Qur’an with him. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 1902). Therefore, we should also increase our recitation during this blessed month.

Conclusion

In summary, learning and reciting the Qur’an are integral parts of a believer’s life. It is a source of honor, peace, and guidance in this world. Ultimately, it is a charter of salvation and a means of attaining closeness to Allah in the Hereafter. It is our duty, therefore, to dedicate a specific time each day to the Qur’an. We should not only recite it but also strive to understand its meaning and resolve to live our lives in its light. May Allah grant us all the guidance to truly understand the Benefits of reading Quran and be illuminated by its light. Ameen!