Reciting the Quran with contemplation and a slow, measured recital

Allah Subhanau T’ala has commanded us to recite, reflect and contemplate His Book in various verses in the Quran.

“Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Had it been from anyone other than Allah, they would have certainly found in it many inconsistencies.”

(Nisa: 82)

“Those who disbelieve and hinder ˹others˺ from the Way of Allah, He will render their deeds void.”

(Muhammad: 24)

“Is it because they have never contemplated the Word ˹of Allah˺? Or ˹because˺ there has come to them something that did not come to their forefathers?”

(Mu’minun: 68)

These verses incite us to contemplate the Book of Allah (Quran). Contemplating is implemented by reflecting over its meaning, pondering its guidance and comprehending the intent of Allah, the Exalted, such that the slave’s portion from the Quran includes his recitation of the letters, and understanding the meaning and guidance.

The Quran comes with an incitement to give great concern to reciting the Quran with and slow, measured recital, and reflection and contemplation.

“This is a blessed Book which We have revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ so that they may contemplate its verses, and people of reason may be mindful.”

(Sad: 29)

“And recite what has been revealed to you of the Book of your Lord; none can alter (Literally: none can be an falterer) His Words; and apart from Him, you will never find any shielding.”

(Kahf: 27)

“The ones to whom We have brought the Book recite it with its true recitation: those believe in it; and whoever disbelieves in it, then those are they (who are) the losers.”

(Baqara: 121)

“Not all of them are alike; a party of the people of the Scripture stand for the right, they recite the Verses of Allah during the hours of the night, prostrating themselves in prayer.”

(Imran: 113)

“Those who recite God’s scripture, keep up the prayer, give secretly and openly from what We have provided for them, may hope for a trade that will never decline.”

(Fatir: 29)

Likewise, there are ahadith in the Sunnah that incite recitation of the Quran with a recitation that is a slow and deliberate, with reflection; along with mentioning the virtue of doing so.

Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari: The Prophet said, The example of him (a believer) who recites the Qur’an is like that of a citron which tastes good and smells good. And he (a believer) who does not recite the Qur’an is like a date which is good in taste but has no smell.

(Bukhari: 5020)

‘Uqba b. ‘Amir reported: When we were in Suffa, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out and said: Which of you would like to go out every morning to Buthan or al-‘Aqiq and bring two large she-camels without being guilty of sin or without severing the ties of kinship? We said: Messenger of Allah, we would like to do it. Upon this he said:

Does not one of you go out in the morning to the mosque and teach or recite two verses from the Book of Allah. the Majestic and Glorious? That is better for him than two she-camels, and three verses are better (than three she-camels). and four verses are better for him than four (she-camels), and to on their number in camels.

(Sahih Muslim 803)

Abu Hurairah reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying:

No people get together in a house of the houses of Allah (i.e. a mosque), reciting the Book of Allah, and learning it together among themselves, but calmness (sakinah) comes down to them, (Divine) mercy covers them (from above), and the angels surround them, and Allah makes a mention of them among those who are with Him.

(Abu Daud: 1455, Sahih by Albani)

Narrated Muhammad bin Ka’b Al-Qurazi:

“I heard ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud saying: ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “[Whoever recites a letter] from Allah’s Book, then he receives the reward from it, and the reward of ten the like of it. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter.”

(Tirmidhi: 2910, Hasan)