VIRTUES OF recitation and teaching of the Noble Qur'aan

1. The Best Person.

Hadhrat Uthmaan bin Afaan (Radhiallahu anhu) narrates that the Merciful Nabi
(Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "The best person from you is that person who
learns the Noble Qur'aan and teaches it to others." (Narrated by Ahmed and
companions in six reliable books.). It has been recorded in Ibne Maja by Hadhrat
Saad(Radhiallahu anhu) the words "from amongst you, the most superior person"
have been narrated. and in Ibne Abu Dawood the words "from amongst you the
best person is he who recites the Noble Qur'aan and makes others to recite..."
have been narrated by Hadhrat Ibne Masood (Radhiallahu anhu).

2. Reward for every letter.

It is reported from Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood (Radhiallahu anhu) that
Rasulullaah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) stated that "Whosoever read one letter
from the Kitaab of Allaah (Qur'aan), will be granted one reward for it and one is
equal to ten. I do not say that Aleeef, Laam, Meem is one letter but Aleef is one
letter, Laam is one letter and Meem is one letter. " ( Narrated by Tirmidhi -
Hasan Sahih ).

3. The Kitaab that Elevates and Humbles.

Hadhrat Umar bin Khattaab (Radhiallahu anhu) reports that Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi
wasallam) said that Allaah, the Lofty One, by means of this Kitaab, elevates many
and lowers many. (Narrated by Muslim and Ibne Maja).

4. The example of one who recites the Qur'aan.

Hadhrat Abu Musa Ash'ari (Radhiallahu anhu) stated that Rasulullaah (Sallallahu
alayhi wasallam) said :" That Momin who recites the Noble Qur'aan is like
grapefruit, the fragrance of which is good and the taste of which is excellent.
That Momin who does not recite the Noble Qur'aan is like dates which does not
have a fragrance but which has a sweet taste. That Munaafiq who recites the
Qur'aan is like a flower which has a good fragrance but which tastes bitter. That
Munaafiq who does not recite the Qur'aan is like the aloe, which does not have a
fragrance and has a bitter taste. In one narration, the word Faajir (transgressor)
is used instead of Munaafiq. (Narrated by Ahmed, Bukhaari, Muslim, Abu Dawood,
Tirmidhi, Nisai and Ibn Maja.)

5. Good and pious companionship.

Hadhrat Anas (Radhiallahu anhu) stated that Rasulullaah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam)
said : "The Mumin who recites the Noble Qur'aan is like the grapefruit which has a
nice fragrance and good taste, and the similitude of a Mumin who does not recite
the Noble Qur'aan is like the date which does not have any fragrance and it's
taste is good, and the Faajir (transgressor) who recites the Noble Qur'aan is like a
flower which has a good fragrance and tastes bitter, and that Faajir who does not
recite the Qur'aan is like the aloe, which has no fragrance and a bitter taste, and
the similitude of a pious , righteous companion is like one (selling) musk - in that
even if you do not receive any portion of it, you will still be able to smell it's
fragrance , and the similitude of a bad companion is like a blacksmith - even if the
soot does not touch you, the smoke will reach you. (Narrated by Abu Dawood.)
6. Those who recite Qur'aan proficiently and those who read with difficulty.
Hadhrat Ayesha (Radhiallahu anha) stated that Rasulullaah (Sallallahu alayhi
wasallam) said that the one who recites the Qur'aan Kareem proficiently will be
with Kiraaman Kaatibeen, and that person who reads the Qur'aan with difficulty -
stopping and stammering - but is enthusiastic and keen to recite, will get double
the reward. In one narration, it is stated that the one who recites the Qur'aan
with difficulty will get double the reward. (Narrated by Bukhaari, Muslim, Abu
Dawood, Tirmidhi, Nisai and Ibne Maja.)

7. The intercession of the Qur'aan Kareem.

Hadhrat Abu Amamata Bahili (Radhiallahu anhu) says that he heard Rasulullaah
(Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) say that Recite the Qur'aan Kareem, because on the
Day of Qiyaamat it will intercede for it's reciters. (Narrated by Muslim).

8. A Crown brighter than the sun.

Hadhrat Sahl bin Maaz Juhni (R.A.) narrates from his father that Rasulullaah
(Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: Whosoever read the Qur'aan and acted upon
whatever is in it, then on the day of Qiyaamat, his parents will be made to wear
such a crown which will be brighter than this sun which is present in your homes.
Tell me what is your opinion concerning the one who also acts upon it. (Narrated by
Abu Dawood and Hakimi who said it has a reliable chain of narrators.).

9. Pleasure of Allaah Ta'aala

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiallahu anhu) states that Rasulullaah (S.A.W) said "On
the Day of Qiyaamat, the one of the Qur'aan will come .Then Qur'aan will
beseech:"Oh Rabb, Adorn him." Thus he will be made to wear the crown of dignity
and honour. The Qur'aan Kareem will say:"Honour him more." Thus he will be made
to wear garments of honour and dignity. The Qur'aan Kareem will say:"Be pleased
with him". Thus Allaah will be pleased with him. Then it will be said to the one of
the Qu'raan, "Keep reading and reach the lofty status and on every aayat, one
reward will be increased. (Narrated by Tirmidhi and Ibne Huzaimah and Hakeem.)

10. Status.
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar and Abdullaah bin Aas (Radhiallahu anhum) say that
Rasulullaah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) stated:"It will be said to the reciter of the
Qur'aan Kareem, "You read and reach (the lofty position), and read with Tajweed
and Tahleel (correct , clear and distinct) as you read in the world, because your
abode will be (the height reached) with the recital on the last aayat you read.
(Narrated by Tirmidhi, Ibne Huzaimah and Hakeem and said that the chain of
narrators are reliable.)

11. Deserving of "ghibta"

Hadhrat Ibne Umar (Radhiallahu anhu) stated that Rasulullaah (S.AW.) said:
"Hasad (Jealousy meaning Ghibta) is not proper except for two persons. One is the
person whom Allaah Ta'aala has given this Kitaab (Qur'aan) and he recites it day
and night, and one is the person whom Allaah Ta'aala has given wealth and he
spends it day and night. (narrated by Bukhaari and Muslim.)

12. Envy for Good.

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullaah (Sallallahu alayhi
wasallam) said:"Gibta is not proper but on two persons. One who Allaah Ta'aala
taught the Qur'aan and he recites it day and night, through which his neighbour
hears and says:"How I wish that I had such a gift and I could also act likewise."
One is the person whom Allaah Ta'aala has given wealth and who spends it on
permissible places such that a person looks at this and says :"How I wish that I
had wealth like him so that I could also spend it in abundance. (on good). (narrated
by Bukhaari).

12. The Blessing of Hifz-e-Qur'aan.

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiallahu anhu) says that once Rasulullaah (Sallallahu
alayhi wasallam) wanted to despatch a Jamaat of a few persons. He inquired from
each of them about the extent of their knowledge of the Qur'aan. From amongst
them came the turn of a young person. He (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said :"...how
much of the Qur'aan have you learnt?." The youth replied about the various Surahs
he had learnt and mentioned Surah Baqarah. Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam)
asked:" Do you know Surah Baqarah? " The youth confirmed this. Nabi (Sallallahu
alayhi wasallam) said:"You be their Amir". From amongst those who had given
excuses for not knowing Surah Baqarah, one of them said:"By Allaah, The only
thing that prevented me from learning Surah Baqarah is that I would not be able to
fulfil it's right." Rasulullaah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:" Learn the Qur'aan
Kareem and recite it, for the one who learns the Qur'aan Kareem, reads it and
acts upon it, is like a(open) bag which is filled with musk such that it's fragrance
spreads wherever it is. The example of one who learns (the Qur'aan) and sleeps is
like a bag of musk which has been tied at the top.(Narrated by Tirmidhi, Hassen,
briefly in Ibne Maja and Ibne Habbaan in his Sahih ).

13. Reciting the Qur'aan sweetly.

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah(Radhiallahu anhu) says that Rasulullaah (S.A.W) stated that
person is not amongst us who does not recite the Qur'aan with "Tagannoo"
(sweetly). (Narrated by Bukhaari, Ahmed, Abu Dawood, Ibne Habbaan, Hakeem
from Saeed).