Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

QUESTION:

As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah,

I read the Quran in Arabic. When I reach the last juz l know most of it from memory. Do I read it from memory while following the Arabic or read the Arabic in the Quran?

ANSWER:

Wa Alaikum As Salaam Wa Rahmatullah,

It is better to recite the Quran from the Mushaf since besides reciting the Quran, you will also be looking into the Quran, which in itself is a virtuous act. Imam An Nawawi has given an explanation on this, and has stated, ‘Recitation of the Quran in the Mushaf (Arabic Quran) is more virtuous (better) than reciting it from memory. This is what our companions have said and it is the famous statement/opinion of the pious predecessors. This however, is not general in all cases. If one who recites the Quran achieves more focus, and can ponder and concentrate more (on the Quran) while reading from memory than when reading from the Mushaf (Arabic Quran), then it is more virtuous for him to read from memory. If it is the same in both cases, that is, if his focus, concentration and pondering of the message/words of the Quran is the same while reading from memory and while reading from the Mushaf, then reading from the Mushaf (that is, by looking into the Arabic Quran) while reading is more virtuous’. (Al Adhkaar by Imam An Nawawi page 78 Dar Ibn Hazm Beirut 2005).

And Allah Knows best

Mufti Waseem Khan

30/09/2020