What is better: reading the Qur'an or listening to it?
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The questioner : The questioner asks which is better: reading the Qur'an or listening to it?
The Shaykh : Reading the Qur'an is better because the reader performs an act of worship, whereas the listener performs no act other than listening. However, at times a person may find more humility in his heart when listening than when he recites. In that case, listening may be better for that person due to the humility and emotional impact the Qur'an has on him. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud: اقرأ اقرأ علي فقال له عبدالله بن مسعود اقرأ عليك يا رسول الله وعليك أنزل قال : نعم اقرأ فإني أحب أن أسمعه من غيري يقول فقرأت عليه من سورة النساء فلما بلغت قول الله تعالى : فكيف إذا جئنا من كل أمة بشهيد وجئنا بك على هؤلاء شهيدا قال : حسبك يعني قف يقول : فنظرت فإذا عيناه تذرفان "Read to me." So 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said, "Read to you, O Messenger of Allah? And upon you it was revealed?" He said, "Yes, read, for I love to hear it from someone other than myself." So I recited to him from Surat al-Nisa. When I reached the words of Allah the Exalted, "So how will it be when We bring from every nation a witness, and bring you as a witness over these people?" He said, "That is enough," meaning, stop. I looked and saw his eyes shedding tears. (peace and blessings be upon him). This is a great scene on the Day of Resurrection, when a witness will be brought from every nation to testify that they conveyed the message. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) will be called to testify against his Ummah, as it says, "And We have sent you as a witness over these people." How great that situation is! We testify before Allah, in His House, that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) conveyed the clear message, fulfilled the trust, and advised the Ummah. Any shortcoming that occurs is on our part, whereas the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) conveyed the message to the utmost extent. May Allah's prayers and peace be upon him. I ask Allah to make me and you among those who accept what he brought, outwardly and inwardly, by believing the news and obeying the command.
The Shaykh : Reading the Qur'an is better because the reader performs an act of worship, whereas the listener performs no act other than listening. However, at times a person may find more humility in his heart when listening than when he recites. In that case, listening may be better for that person due to the humility and emotional impact the Qur'an has on him. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud: اقرأ اقرأ علي فقال له عبدالله بن مسعود اقرأ عليك يا رسول الله وعليك أنزل قال : نعم اقرأ فإني أحب أن أسمعه من غيري يقول فقرأت عليه من سورة النساء فلما بلغت قول الله تعالى : فكيف إذا جئنا من كل أمة بشهيد وجئنا بك على هؤلاء شهيدا قال : حسبك يعني قف يقول : فنظرت فإذا عيناه تذرفان "Read to me." So 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said, "Read to you, O Messenger of Allah? And upon you it was revealed?" He said, "Yes, read, for I love to hear it from someone other than myself." So I recited to him from Surat al-Nisa. When I reached the words of Allah the Exalted, "So how will it be when We bring from every nation a witness, and bring you as a witness over these people?" He said, "That is enough," meaning, stop. I looked and saw his eyes shedding tears. (peace and blessings be upon him). This is a great scene on the Day of Resurrection, when a witness will be brought from every nation to testify that they conveyed the message. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) will be called to testify against his Ummah, as it says, "And We have sent you as a witness over these people." How great that situation is! We testify before Allah, in His House, that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) conveyed the clear message, fulfilled the trust, and advised the Ummah. Any shortcoming that occurs is on our part, whereas the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) conveyed the message to the utmost extent. May Allah's prayers and peace be upon him. I ask Allah to make me and you among those who accept what he brought, outwardly and inwardly, by believing the news and obeying the command.