Which is better in Ramadan: memorizing the Qur'an or reciting it?
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Question:
Your Eminence, with the blessed month of Ramadan approaching, which is better: being occupied with memorizing the Qur'an and reviewing it, or increasing the recitation of the Qur'an?
Answer:
What appears to be the case—and Allah knows best—based on the guidance of the Salaf is to increase the recitation of the Qur'an and strive to repeat complete recitations (khatams) of the Qur'an; because it is an opportunity, accompanied by reflection and understanding. And if one adds to this the memorization of what is feasible in other times of the month, one combines both benefits; one increases the recitation and sets aside a specific time to memorize what is feasible of it, and this is good.
However, one should increase the recitation until completing many full recitations, following the example of the righteous predecessors (may Allah be pleased with them) and taking advantage of the opportunity; for in that lies seeking knowledge and understanding the religion; for reading the Qur'an is understanding the religion and seeking knowledge; because it is the Book of Allah; in it is guidance and light, and Allah the Exalted said regarding it: [Al-Isra: 9] And He the Exalted said regarding it: [Fussilat: 44] And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding it : [Sad: 29] And He the Exalted said: [An-Nahl: 89], so in reading it from its beginning to its end, and increasing in that with reflection and comprehension, lies that great knowledge and much good, and remembering the deeds of the righteous and following their example, and remembering the deeds of the deviants and guarding against their characteristics. All of this is achieved by reading the Qur'an and increasing in its recitation: you know the characteristics of the good, you know the characteristics of the people of Paradise, you know the characteristics of the messengers and their followers; so that you adopt them, you know the characteristics of the people of Paradise so you adhere to them, you know the characteristics of the people of the Fire so you guard against them, you know the characteristics of the disbelievers, the hypocrites, and the criminals so you guard against them; so increasing in the recitation of this great Qur'an is more preferable than limiting oneself to memorization, and if one sets aside a specific time for memorization in Ramadan and in other times; then this is good.
Your Eminence, with the blessed month of Ramadan approaching, which is better: being occupied with memorizing the Qur'an and reviewing it, or increasing the recitation of the Qur'an?
Answer:
What appears to be the case—and Allah knows best—based on the guidance of the Salaf is to increase the recitation of the Qur'an and strive to repeat complete recitations (khatams) of the Qur'an; because it is an opportunity, accompanied by reflection and understanding. And if one adds to this the memorization of what is feasible in other times of the month, one combines both benefits; one increases the recitation and sets aside a specific time to memorize what is feasible of it, and this is good.
However, one should increase the recitation until completing many full recitations, following the example of the righteous predecessors (may Allah be pleased with them) and taking advantage of the opportunity; for in that lies seeking knowledge and understanding the religion; for reading the Qur'an is understanding the religion and seeking knowledge; because it is the Book of Allah; in it is guidance and light, and Allah the Exalted said regarding it:
Indeed, this Qur'an guides to that which is most suitable
إِنَّ هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُSay, "It is, for those who believe, a guidance and cure."
قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.
كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِAnd We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things
وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.