Reciting the Holy Qur’an

وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمۡ ثُمَّ يَتَوَفَّٮٰكُمۡ‌ۚ وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰٓ أَرۡذَلِ ٱلۡعُمُرِ لِكَىۡ لَا يَعۡلَمَ بَعۡدَ عِلۡمٍ شَيۡـًٔا‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ

“Allaah created you and will then claim your souls (when the time for your death arrives). There are those of you who will be returned to a worthless (unproductive) age (of senility) so that he knows nothing after once possessing (a vast amount of) knowledge. Undoubtedly Allaah is All Knowing, All Powerful.” [Surah Al-Nahl, v. 70]

Commentary

In this verse, Allah describes the natural decline of the human mind in old age, how memory begins to fade, and intellectual strength weakens. This is a reality many witness or experience firsthand.

However, the great scholar of Tafsir, Imam ‘Ikrimah (May Allah have mercy on him), made a remarkable statement, as recorded in Tafsir al-Jalalayn:

“This state will not prevail upon the reciter of the Qur’an.”

In other words, those who have built a life around the recitation and internalization of the Qur’an are granted a special protection. The Qur’an serves not only as a spiritual guide but also as a preserver of the mind and nourisher of the heart, even into old age.

This reminds us that consistent engagement with the Qur’an does not just shape our present, it preserves and blesses our future, both in this life and the next.

Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah (May Allah have mercy on him) has recorded a narration in his book: Abdul Malik ibn Umayr said: “It used to be said: “The mind of those who recite Quran [frequently] will remain [in a healthy state] for the longest period of time.” [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 30559, vol. 10, pg. 15]

Muhammad ibn Ka’ab (May Allah have mercy on him) is reported to have said: “Whoever recites the Qur’an will continue to benefit from his intellect, even if he reaches the age of two hundred years.” [Sifat al-Safwah, pg. 374]

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضى الله عنه reports: “If the Qur’an is recited in a home, then certainly the home becomes comfortable for its members, the angels visit that home, the devils leave the home and its goodness increases. However, in the home in which the Qur’an is not recited, life becomes constrained, the angels leave the home, the devils visit it, and the home is void of goodness.” [Sunan Daarmi #3352]

Reciting the Qur’an draws immense blessings and invites the mercy of Allah into our lives. One powerful way to cultivate an atmosphere of mercy, love, and harmony within the home is for each family member to dedicate a portion of their day to reciting the Holy Qur’an.

A simple yet effective approach is for every individual to recite one juz (or whatever amount they are comfortable with) a day. Even if it’s just a few verses a day, what matters most is consistency (istiqamah). Allah loves small but regular deeds. This daily practice not only strengthens one’s personal connection with Allah but also transforms the home into a space filled with tranquility and spiritual light. The key is consistency.

It invites mercy (rahmah), tranquility (sakinah), and strengthens the bonds among family members through a shared connection to the divine words of Allah.

When each family member dedicates even 10–15 minutes a day, it creates a shared spiritual routine, bringing hearts closer and increasing mutual love and understanding.

Sayyiduna Ikramah ibn Abi Jahl رضى الله عنه would place the mushaf on his face and say: “My Lord’s Book! My Lord’s Book!” [Ettiquite with the Qur’an, pg. 113, by Imam al-Nawawi]

Sayyiduna Umar ibn Khattab رضى الله عنه would kiss the Qur’an every morning. Sayyiduna Uthman ibn Affan رضى الله عنه would kiss the Qur’an and place it on his face. [Fataawa Mahmudiyyah, vol.3 pg. 532]

Imam Nafi (May Allah have mercy on him) narrates: Whenever Ibn Umar recited the Qur’an, he would not speak to anyone till he had finished his recitation. Once, I held the Qur’an, and he recited Surat Al-Baqarah until he stopped at a certain verse and said, “Do you know in what connection this verse was revealed?” I replied, “No.” He said, “It was revealed in such-and-such connection.” Ibn Umar then resumed his recitation. [Bukhari, 4526]

Aws ibn ‘Abdullah Abul Jawza (May Allah have mercy on him) was Tabi’. He studied the Qur’an directly under the tutelage of Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas رضى الله عنه for twelve years. He once said: “There is no verse of the Qur’an except that I have asked him about it.” A’mr bin Malik says: “Abul Jawza never spoke a lie.” [Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 3 pg. 79]

Aws ibn ‘Abdullah Abul Jawza (May Allah have mercy on him) once said: “A hypocrite finds it easier to move a rock than to recite the Quran.” [Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 3 pg. 80]

Abu Bakr ibn Iyash (May Allah have mercy on him) was near his death. His sister started to cry. To console her, he said: “In this corner, your brother has completed 18,000 recitations (khatam) of the Qur’an.” [Siyar a’lam al-nubala, v. 8, pg. 504]

Ibn Idris (May Allah have mercy on him) was in his final moments. His daughter was present, and she began to weep. He said to his daughter: “Do not weep as I have completed 4,000 readings of the Qur’an in this room.” [Final Moments of the Pious]

Mansur ibn Zaadhan (May Allah have mercy on him) would complete the Qur’an twice daily, once during the day and once at night. [Sifat al-Safwah, pg. 520]

Abdul Rahman ibn Jawzi (May Allah have mercy on him) would complete a Qur’an every week. [Tarikh Da’wah wa Azeemat, vol.1 pg.227]

وَقَالَ ٱلرَّسُولُ يَـٰرَبِّ إِنَّ قَوۡمِى ٱتَّخَذُواْ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ مَهۡجُورًا

“And the Messenger will say: “O my Lord! Verily, my people have taken the Qur’an as a thing to be deserted.” [Surah Al-Furqan, v. 30]

Commentary

It has been reported that the Noble Prophet ﷺ will make this complaint to Allah on Judgement Day.

One form of desertion is not to recite it. [Ruh al-Ma’ani]

The person who has learnt Qur’an and then hanged it (on the wall), neither he recites it routinely nor ponders over its injunctions will be brought on the Doomsday with Qur’an hanging by his neck with a sling, and will complain before Allah Ta’ala “this servant of Yours had abandoned me, so decide between me and him.” [Qurtubi]

When a person holds the Qur’an and recites it, multiple parts of the body engage in worship:
– The eyes worship by looking at the mushaf,
– The mouth through recitation,
– The ears by listening to the verses,
– and the hands by holding the mushaf.

It becomes a full-body act of devotion, drawing a person closer to Allah with every breath.

If we are diligent in feeding our bodies three times a day with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, how then can we neglect the soul, which also needs nourishment?

Daily Qur’an recitation is spiritual nourishment. It purifies the heart, strengthens the ruh (soul), and leads to a heart that is spiritually sound and healthy. The Qur’an is described by Allah as shifaʾ (a cure) for what lies within the hearts:

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌ وَرَحۡمَةٌ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ‌ۙ

“And We send down of the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe…” [Surah Al-Isra, 17:82]

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدۡ جَآءَتۡكُم مَّوۡعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّڪُمۡ وَشِفَآءٌ لِّمَا فِى ٱلصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحۡمَةٌ لِّلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ

“O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.” [Surah Yunus, 10:57]

The solution to many of our struggles, anxieties, and spiritual emptiness is often resting quietly on a shelf in our homes, waiting to be opened, read, and lived.

By Mawlana Mushtaq Shaikh, Imam Masjid Bilal