I once had the opportunity to attend a religious gathering of another religion where the Divine Book which they followed was being recited. To my utter surprise I found hardly anyone listening to the recitation and many were engrossed in gossiping and chatting with each other. The reciter a number of times asked the audience to keep silence as the word of God was being recited, but to no avail.
We Muslims are fortunate that we give due respect to Qur'an, the last of the four Divine Books, and whenever and wherever it is being recited, the audience ensure a pin drop silence. This is done to pay respect to the words of Allah and also to ensure trying to understand what is being recited, no matter how many times we have listened to it. This is done so that word of Allah is engrained into our brain and we do not forget it. In fact, listening to the Quran recited by someone else can often bring a new perspective and deeper reflection
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, upon whom Qur'an was revealed, would sometimes asked others to recite Qur'an to him, for he loved listening to Qur'an from others. This is reflective from a Hadith mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī (Book 65: Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh)) /كتاب التفسير/ Chapter 9: "How (will it be) then when We bring from each nation a witness and We bring you (O Muhammad) as a witness against these people?" (V.4:41) / باب {فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جِئْنَا مِنْ كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ بِشَهِيدٍ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلَى هَؤُلاَءِ شَهِيدًا}) as Hadith 4582, given herein under:
Narrated by `Abdullah bin Masud:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to me, "Recite (of the Qur'an) for me," I said, "Shall I recite it to you although it had been revealed to you?" He said, "I like to hear (the Qur'an) from others." So I recited Surat-an- Nisa' till I reached: "How (will it be) then when We bring from each nation a witness, and We bring you (O Muhammad) as a witness against these people?" (4.41) Then he said, "Stop!" And behold, his eyes were overflowing with tears."
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا صَدَقَةُ، أَخْبَرَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَبِيدَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ يَحْيَى بَعْضُ الْحَدِيثِ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مُرَّةَ، قَالَ قَالَ لِي النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " اقْرَأْ عَلَىَّ ". قُلْتُ آقْرَأُ عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَيْكَ أُنْزِلَ قَالَ " فَإِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْمَعَهُ مِنْ غَيْرِي ". فَقَرَأْتُ عَلَيْهِ سُورَةَ النِّسَاءِ حَتَّى بَلَغْتُ {فَكَيْفَ إِذَا جِئْنَا مِنْ كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ بِشَهِيدٍ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلَى هَؤُلاَءِ شَهِيدًا} قَالَ " أَمْسِكْ ". فَإِذَا عَيْنَاهُ تَذْرِفَانِ.
Let us explain this Hadith in light of the Quran
- Listening to the Quran with Reflection: The Prophet (ﷺ) requested Abdullah bin Mas'ud to recite the Quran so he could listen to it, showing the importance of reflecting on the Quran's message, even for those deeply familiar with it. The Quran itself encourages listening attentively:
"So when the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy." (Surah Al-A'raf, 7:204)
The Prophet's emotional response demonstrates how deeply the Quran’s words can impact the heart of a believer when listened to with sincerity.
- Surah An-Nisa (4:41): Accountability and Witnessing: The verse recited by Abdullah bin Mas'ud speaks of the Day of Judgment:
"How (will it be) then, when We bring from every nation a witness, and We bring you, [O Muhammad], as a witness against these people?" (Surah An-Nisa, 4:41)
This verse highlights the Prophet’s role as a witness over his people. His tears reflect the weight of responsibility he felt as a messenger, knowing that he would testify about how his community responded to Allah’s message. The Quran repeatedly reminds believers of the seriousness of accountability:
"So by your Lord, We will surely question them all about what they used to do." (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:92-93)
- The Prophet’s Emotional Connection to the Quran: The Prophet (ﷺ) was deeply moved by the Quran because he internalized its guidance and warnings. Allah describes the Quran as something that profoundly affects those who listen to it with open hearts:
"Indeed, the believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts tremble, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord, they rely." (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:2)
His tears serve as an example for believers to reflect deeply on the Quran’s message and feel its spiritual weight.
- The Importance of Witnessing: The Prophet (ﷺ) being a witness over his people is consistent with his role as the bearer of the final message. The Quran confirms this responsibility:
"And We have sent you, [O Muhammad], as a bringer of good tidings and a warner and a witness over mankind." (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:45)
This witnessing includes delivering the message, living by it, and ensuring it is understood. His tears signify his concern for his followers and his realization of the gravity of this role.
- The Impact of Quranic Recitation: The act of listening to the Quran recited by someone else can often bring a new perspective and deeper reflection. The Quran is described as having a transformative effect on those who approach it sincerely:
"Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah." (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:23)
The Prophet’s example shows that even those who know the Quran deeply benefit from listening to others recite it, emphasizing the communal nature of engaging with the Quran.
Lessons from the Hadith
- Reflective Listening: Even those familiar with the Quran benefit from hearing its recitation, which fosters deeper understanding and emotional connection.
- Seriousness of Accountability: The Prophet’s tears reflect the gravity of standing as a witness before Allah, reminding believers of their responsibility toward Allah’s commands.
- The Quran’s Impact: The Quran’s words have the power to move hearts and inspire humility, emphasizing the importance of engaging with it regularly and sincerely.
- The Prophet’s Empathy: His emotional response highlights his deep concern for his followers and the weight of his prophetic mission.
This hadith underscores the profound spiritual connection to the Quran and the importance of reflecting on its message. It also highlights the serious responsibility the Prophet (ﷺ) bore as a witness over his community, as emphasized in the Quran. The emotional and transformative power of the Quran serves as a reminder for believers to engage with it sincerely, allowing it to guide their hearts and actions.
Let us always be attentive when Qur'an is being read in our presence. It has been seen tears overflowing even from the eyes of non Muslims when listening to Qur'an. This is because these words are Divine words and have an intrinsic relation with our heart and mind.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more Hadiths on the General Subjects.
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.
Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.
