Benefit of reciting Quran Daily: Best Habit, Greatest Virtue
‘That’s the book of Allah’, How many times have you thought about this and let it sink in? The Quran, unlike any other book, isn’t written by a human. The Quran is Allah’s message to humanity, the creator of all!
Why do you go and learn something? Why does somebody go get a bachelor’s degree or a certification, or do they go to a certain school? People usually go and learn something because they think it’s going to bring them some return; it’s valuable. It’s something that when they know and learn, their lives will somehow improve, or they’ll be able to help themselves. The benefit of reciting Quran for any Muslim isn’t about achieving worldly status. It’s about the ultimate guidance that every Muslim needs.
Table of Contents
The Very First Revelation: Iqraa’ (Recite)
The benefit of reciting Quran is reflected even in the very first verses revealed to Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) for who is understanding. The Quran revelation began with the first five verses of surah Al-‘Alaq, while the prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was on a spiritual retreat in Hira’ Cave near Makkah. The revelation continued over the twenty-three years of Prophet Muhammad’s prophethood.
Those are the ayat: “Recite in the name of your Lord, who created—created man from a clinging substance. Recite, and your Lord is the most generous—Taught by the pen—Taught man that which he knew not.” صدق الله العظيم.
So the first word itself is Iqraa’, to recite, the word to teach comes up twice, and also the word pen comes up. All these words have to do with education and learning.
That’s the central theme of the first passage in which Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) addresses His Messenger. And the final of those ayat is “علم الإنسان ما لم يعلم”, he taught the human being what he did not know. So Allah taught the human being knowledge that the human being did not have access to. If this is such treasured knowledge that we couldn’t have learned it, and the only way we could have learned it is by Allah teaching us, what kind of person would it be that would have no value for this knowledge? What kind of person would refuse to learn this kind of knowledge?
The benefit of reciting Quran is that, since humans naturally seek knowledge because they feel in need in heart, mind, and soul, then who else can provide it to you? Who else can cure you? Who else can heal your heart? Who else can you run to? Recite the Quran. Seek it out. Look for the purpose Allah created in what He has given to you. What aspect of His Essence is He showing you through it? What does He want from you?
How to Approach the Quran to Feel Its Transformative Effects in Your Life?
Some Muslims are like, “I recite the Quran, but I don’t feel the benefit of reciting the Quran in my life.” The only possible scenario here is that we are yet to approach the Qur’an correctly so that it may offer us that which is best. If we want to see it guiding us to that which is best taking us out from darkness to light from ignorance to knowledge from weakness to strength from humility to dignity, the Qur’an is a book that demands that we recite it with تدبر contemplative reading, reflection, and pondering.
Here are some milestones to practice to get the benefit of reciting Quran:
1) Appreciate the Status of This Book That you Have in your Hands
You have with you an extraterrestrial book. You have with you a book that is beyond the universe. It is not the word of a man, it is the words of Ar-Rahman, Allah (جل جلاله). You have it with you here on planet earth.
Ali ibn Abi Taalib (رضي الله عنه) described the Quran, saying, “Kitabullah, this is the book of Allah. Within it is the news of the people before you and the news of the people who shall come after you, and it is the judge between you. It is a decisive, serious speech that is not a joke. It is that book; when any tyrant abandons it, Allah will obliterate him. And anybody who tries to find guidance in something other than this book will go astray.” And you really still wonder what the benefit of reciting Quran might be?
2) Feel That you are the One Who is Being Spoken to
When you pick up the Mushaf, the Quran, know that it is not a message for the people of the past or for your neighbor next door. The Quran is a personalized message sent from the creator, the king, to you. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) said, We have sent a book that has your mention in it. It’s personalized. You’re the one who meant to get the benefit of reciting Quran!
3) Prepare your Heart for the Receiving of the Quran
Why is it that when you and I recite the exact same ayah, it may not affect me in the least, but as for you, it causes you to fall on your face in change and reformation? How come? Because the heart is different. One is clean and ready to receive the Qur’an; the other heart has heard those obstacles: sins, cravings, and addictions. The sin goes to the heart, and you need to, in addition to repentance, recite over and over to get the benefit of reciting Quran, cleansing that heart. Keep knocking at that door until it opens for you.
4) Recite with Tartil and Tajweed
Slow, proper recitation of the Quran is the key to deep contemplation. That is why Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) said, ‘This is a Quran that We have revealed in portions so that you may recite it in slow degrees,’ and ‘Move not your tongue with it, [O Muhammad], to hasten with it [i.e., recitation of the Quran].’ You gain the greatest benefit of reciting Quran when you listen carefully, contemplate, ask about what you don’t understand, and finally apply what you’ve learned. These are basic approaches of seeking knowledge, and there is no knowledge more deserving of such reverence than the Quran.
5) Engage with the Qur’an with Respect to Repetition
They say whatever is repeated is ingrained. Look at how we recite Suratul Fatiha, no less than 17 times a day. That’s not an accident. Because what is repeated is ingrained. There is something important Allah (جل جلاله) wants us to know, so the message is being repeated. Repeat the Qur’an, repeat the ayah, don’t make your intention to reach the other side of the book.
You may also like to read, Learn to Recite Quran for Beginners: Harmonizing Devotion and Practice.
If you’re Still Asking About the Benefit of Reciting Quran,
Gather your family around the book of Allah, maybe just once a week, and read with one another. Open up the floor for your children to give their tatabur, their thoughts.
Pull the ideas, allow them to contribute, set up a reward system, and watch how mercy will evict difficulties from your home; watch how you and your wife will come closer together; watch how the difficulties of your household will disappear; watch how your sleep at night will become better; look at how Allah will bless you in your finances; how Allah will illuminate your grave; how Allah will strengthen you on the Day of Judgment; and how Allah will give you fortification in front of the fitnah. The tests are out there. Bring your family together!
Ulum Al-Azhar got you Covered
We often encourage every Muslim to devote time, money, and effort to excel in their worldly education, focusing on their university graduation projects. Similarly, we urge you to set your priorities right and recognize that the Quran is your ultimate graduation project of life. Join us in – Ulum Al-Azhar – enroll in our course, Quran For Life, and invest in your relation with the Quran, getting all the benefit of reciting Quran consistently.
With Ulum Al-Azhar, your religious education is in safe hands!