Merits of the Glorious Qur’an
The most important virtue of the Glorious Qur’an is that it is the Word of Allah Most High, Who describes His Book, saying: [And this is a book, which We have sent down.] (Al-An`am 6:92) and [Verily this Qur’an doth guide to that which is most right.] (Al-Israa’ 17:9)
Ibn `Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “(On the Day of Judgment,) it will be said to the people of the Qur’an, ‘Read (the Qur’an) and occupy your high degrees. Recite (the Qur’an) as you used to recite it in the world, for your position will be at the end of the last (Qur’anic) verse you read.’” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi)
Furthermore, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him) is reported to have said, “I saw the Lord of Might in a vision and asked, ‘O Lord! What is most virtuous act that devout people should do to bring themselves nearer to You?’ He Most High said, ‘(Reading) My Words, O Ahmad.’ I said, ‘O Lord! Should it be with understanding?’ ‘It may be with or without understanding,’ He declared.”
The Etiquette of Reciting the Glorious Qur’an
One who recites the Glorious Qur’an is recommended to have wudu’ (ablution) and be pure. Reciting the Glorious Qur’an in Prayer, while one is standing, is more virtuous than reciting it in any other situation. Likewise, one is recommended to read the Glorious Qur’an in the mosque.
As to the period in which one should finish reciting the whole Qur’an, early Muslims were of diverse stances on this point. Some of them used to finish reciting the whole Qur’an every day. Others used to finish it in three, seven, or thirty days. This varied according to each one’s circumstances. So, one is recommended to read as much as one can of the Qur’an so long as one reflects upon and understands what one recites and does not ignore one’s worldly duties.
In this regard, Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “To me, it is better to correctly recite only Surat Al-Baqarah and Surat AalImran and reflect upon their meanings than to heedlessly recite the whole Qur’an.”
Ibn Masud (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Whoever finishes reciting the whole Qur’an, will have a duaa’ (supplication) that will be responded to by Allah.” On finishing the recitation of the whole Qur’an, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) used to gather his family and make du`aa’.
Reciting the Glorious Qur’an with Sweet Voice
Reciting the Glorious Qur’an with a sweet voice is recommended. However, if one is not able to read the Glorious Qur’an with a sweet voice, one has to exert oneself to do so.
Likewise, reading the Glorious Qur’an in a low voice is recommended. In this context, a hadith says, “The superiority of reading (the Glorious Qur’an) in a low voice over reading (it) in a loud voice is like the superiority of giving alms in secret over giving it in public.” (Reported by An-Nasa’i)
But we should keep in mind that reciting the Glorious Qur’an in a loud voice is recommended in certain situations such as teaching the Qur’an and awakening a sleeping person. Also one should read in a mode that permits one to hear one’s recitation.
On the reading the Glorious Qur’an, one should bear in mind the glory of the Speaker Most High and reflect upon what he reads. Furthermore, a reader of the Glorious Qur’an should steer clear of what hinders the understanding of the Glorious Qur’an, such as concerning himself only with the correct pronunciation of sounds, committing sins, and following his vain desires and whims.
Also, a reader of the Glorious Qur’an should consider the Glorious Qur’an as addressing him, and, therefore, act according to its instructions.
