Before setting out to memorise the Qur’aan, its important to take some time to learn about the rewards and virtues for doing so. There are many reasons for this. For example, when it comes to purifying our intention for Allaah in carrying out this act, it helps us to know of the great status the memorisers (Huffaadh) of the Qur’aan have with Allaah and the rewards He has in store for them in the Hereafter. Knowing about these will fill our hearts with longing for these rewards and to be amongst Allaah’s chosen people.
Another reason for learning about these rewards and virtues is that most of us go through moments of high eemaan where we are motivated to exert all our effort into memorising, but then we are also hit with moments where we fall and lose a little focus and start to slack. During these low periods, its great to remind ourselves of why we want to memorise the Qur’aan in the first place. It renews our spirit and once again strengthens our resolve to keep on striving until we achieve our goal.
There are many many verses from the Qur’aan and narrations from the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, that speak, directly and indirectly, about the special status of the people of the Qur’aan and the favours Allaah has given them in this world and the next. Below we have selected some ahaadeeth for you.
It is from the permissible types of envy to envy someone who has memorised the Qur’aan and recites it
‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar, radhiyallaahu ‘anhu, narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Do not wish to be the like of except two men. A man whom Allah has given the knowledge of the Book and he recites it during the hours of the night, and a man whom Allah has given wealth, and he spends it in charity during the night and the hours of the day.” [Bukhaaree No. 4691]
The example of the reciter of the Qur’aan is like that of a citron
Abu Musaa al-Ash’aree narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, said: “The example of him (a believer) who recites the Qur’aan is like that of a citron which tastes good and smells good. And he (a believer) who does not recite the Qur’aan is like a date that is good in taste but has no smell. And the example of a dissolute wicked person who recites the Qur’aan is like the Rayhaana (sweet basil) which smells good but tastes bitter. And the example of a dissolute wicked person who does not recite the Qur’aan is like the colocynth that tastes bitter and has no smell. [Bukhaaree No. 4686 and Muslim, 1743]
The memoriser of the Qur’aan will be with the noble angels in heaven
It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The one who recites the Qur’aan and learns it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven) and the one who exerts himself to learn the Qur’aan by heart and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward.” [Bukhaaree No.4607 and Muslim No.1745]
Allaah does not punish a heart that has memorised and understood the Qur’aan
Abu Umaamah used to say: “Read the Qur’aan and do not be content merely to have these Masaahif (copies of the Qur’aan) hanging up. Allaah will not punish a heart that has memorized and understood the Qur’aan.” [ad-Daarimee No.3185]
The memoriser of the Qur’aan leads the people in prayer
It was narrated that ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar said: “When the first muhaajiroon (emigrants) came to Quba’, before the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came (to Madeenah), Saalim the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfah used to lead them in prayer, and he was the one who knew the most Qur’aan.” [Bukhaaree No.6714]
The memoriser of the Qur’aan precedes others
It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullaah (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: “The Prophet would wrap two of the men slain at Uhud in a single cloth, then he would ask, ‘Which of them knew more Qur’aan?’ If one of them was pointed out to him, he would put that one in the lahd (niche in the side of the grave) first. And he said, ‘I will be a witness over these people on the Day of Resurrection.’ He commanded that they should be buried with their blood, without being washed, and that no funeral prayer should be offered for them.” [Bukhaaree No.1274]
It was narrated that Abu Mas’ood al-Ansaari said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘The people should be led in prayer by the one among them who has the most knowledge of the Book of Allaah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Qur’aan, then by the one who has most knowledge of the Sunnah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then by the one who migrated (made hijrah) first; if they are equal in terms of hijrah, then by the one who became Muslim first. No man should lead another in prayer in his domain of authority, or sit in his place in his house, except with his permission.” [Muslim No. 1420]
The memoriser of the Qur’aan is better than the one who has not memorised the Qur’aan
It was narrated from ‘Aamir ibn Waathilah that Naafi’ ibn ‘Abdal-Haarith met ‘Umar in ‘Usfaan, and ‘Umar had appointed him as governor of Makkah. ‘Umar said, “Who have you appointed in charge of the people of the valley?” He said, “Ibn Abza.” ‘Umar asked, “Who is Ibn Abza?” He said, “One of our freed slaves.” Umar said, “Have you appointed over them a freed slave?!” He said, “He is well-versed in the Book of Allaah and he has knowledge of the laws of inheritance.” ‘Umar said: “Your Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Indeed, by this Book, Allaah would exalt some people and degrade others.’” [Muslim No.1780]
The heart which has not memorised any portion of the Qur’aan is desolate
‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “This Qur’aan is a banquet from Allaah, so take as much of it as you can. I know of nothing more devoid of goodness than a house in which there is nothing of the Book of Allaah. The heart in which there is nothing of the Book of Allaah is as desolate as a house in which nobody lives.” [ad-Daarimee No.3173]
The memoriser of the Qur’aan will ascend in Jannah to a status commensurate with how much he/ she has memorised
It was narrated from ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’aan (i.e., the one who memorized and studied it): ‘Read, advance in status and recite as you used to do in the world, for your status will be commensurate with the last aayah that you recite.’” [Tirmidhee No.2914; hasan saheeh Hadeeth. Al-Albaanee said in Saheeh al-Tirmidhee, no. 2329, it is hasan saheeh. Also narrated by Abu Dawood No.1464]
The memoriser of the Qur’aan will be given a crown and garment of honour
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The Qur’aan will come on the Day of Resurrection and will say, ‘O Lord, adorn him.’ So he will be given a crown of honour to wear. Then it will say, ‘O Lord, give him more.’ So he will be given a garment of honour.’ Then it will say, ‘O Lord, be pleased with him.’ So Allaah will be pleased with him. Then it will be said to him, ‘Recite and advance in status, and for each verse you will gain one more hasanah (reward for good deed).” [Tirmidhee No.2915; hasan saheeh Hadeeth. Al-Albaanee said in Saheeh al-Tirmidhee, 2328, this is hasan]
Buraydah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “I was sitting with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and I heard him say: ‘Learn Surah al-Baqarah, for learning it is a blessing and neglecting it is regret, and the magicians cannot contend with it.’ Then he kept quiet for a while, then he said, ‘Learn Surah al-Baqarah and Aali ‘Imraan, for they are the zahraawaan which will shade the one who learns them on the Day of Resurrection, as if they are two clouds, or two rows of birds spreading their wings. The Qur’aan will meet its companion on the Day of Resurrection when his grave is opened for him, looking like a pale man, and it will say to him, ‘Do you know who I am?’ He will say, I do not know you.’ It will say to him, ‘Do you know who I am?’ He will say, I do not know you.’ It will say, ‘I am your companion the Qur’aan, who made you thirsty on hot days and kept you awake at night. Every merchant will benefit from his trade, and today you will benefit too.’ He will be given power in his right hand and immortality in his left, and on his head will be placed a crown of dignity. His parents will be given two garments the like of which could never be made by the people of this world and they will say, ‘How did we earn these?’ It will be said, ‘Because your child learned the Qur’aan.’ Then it will be said to him, ‘Read and go up through the levels and rooms of Paradise. He will keep on ascending as long as he reads or recites.’” [Reported by Imaam Ahmad, 21892; classed as hasan by Ibn Katheer; see also al-Silsilat al-Saheehah by al-Albaanee, No. 2829]
The Qur’aan will intercede for its companions on the Day of Judgement
It was narrated that Abu Umaamah al-Baahili said: “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say, ‘Recite the Qur’aan, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection to intercede for its companions. Recite the two bright ones, al-Baqarah and Surah Aali ‘Imraan, for they will come on the Day of Resurrection like two clouds or two shades or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Surah al-Baqarah for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it.” [Muslim No.1757]
Memorising the Qur’aan is a cause for your parents to be honoured on the Day of Judgement
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘The Qur’aan will come on the Day of Resurrection like a pale man saying to its companion, “Do you recognize me? I am the one who made you stay up at night and made you thirsty during the day…” Then he will be given dominion in his right hand and eternity in his left, and a crown of dignity will be placed upon his head, and his parents will be clothed with garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world. They will say, “O Lord, how did we earn this.” It will be said to them, “Because you taught your child the Qur’aan.” [at-Tabaraani in al-Awsat, 6/51]
It was narrated that Buraydah said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever reads the Qur’aan, learns it and acts in accordance with it, on the Day of Resurrection his parents will be given a crown to wear whose light will be like the light of the sun, and his parents will be given garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world. They will say, “Why have we been given this to wear?” It will be said, “Because your child learned the Qur’aan.” [al-Haakim No.1/756]