Hadiths About the Memorization of Quan: Prophetic Hadiths highlight that memorizing the Quran brings one closer to Allah, with special rewards such as higher ranks in Jannah and intercession on the Day of Judgment. It also grants honor, guiding spiritual success and worldly respect.
Many hadiths are tackling the importance of memorizing the Quran and being devoted to its words and meanings, i.e., recitation, understanding and application. In this article, we will discuss some hadiths about memorizing Quran with their meanings illustrated by the explanations of the scholars.
You will be excited to know about the great reward awaiting the people of the Quran; they are the closest to Allah, they will be with the noble angels, and many more in this life and the hereafter. Keep reading!
Hadiths About the Memorization of Quan
Here are seven hadiths related to Quran memorization. They highlight the status of the people devoted to the Quran in the sight of Allah and that of people as well.
Hadith 1: People Devoted To The Quran Are The Closest To Allah
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) described those who memorize the Quran taking care of its meaning and applying it as being Allah’s own people among mankind:
((إن لله أهلين من الناس، قالوا يا رسول الله: من هم، قال: هم أهل القرآن أهل الله وخاصته))
“‘Allah has His own people among mankind.’ … ‘The people of the Qur’an, the people of Allah and those who are closest to Him.'” (Sound Hadith: Sunan Ibn Majah)
Paraphrasing the previous hadith, Imam Al Munawi (RA) explained “Allah’s people” as the memorizers with an application, saying:
“(The hadith) means that the memorizers of the Quran who apply it, are the close servants of Allah holding a special rank for Allah same as the people of man do. (People of Allah) are given this name out of respect for them.”
You still have a chance even if it’s hard to memorize!
Imam Ibn Al Qayyim broadened the meaning of “the people of Allah” so that it includes those who apply even with no memorization for the words, saying:
“People of the Quran are those of knowledge and application for (its messages) even if they don’t memorize (its words) by heart. However, those who memorize it by heart with no understanding or application, are excluded from the people of Allah even if they recite the words of the Quran perfectly.”
Thus, you can be one of the people of Allah by devoting yourself to the Quran’s words and meanings.
Hadith 2: More Memorization Of The Quran Equals More Degrees In Jannah
In the following hadith, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) illustrates the position of those devoted to the Quran saying that they have extra degrees in Jannah based on their memorization:
يُقَالُ لِصَاحِبِ الْقُرْآنِ: اقْرَأْ وَارَتْقِ وَرَتِّلْ كَمَا كُنْتَ تُرَتِّلُ فِي الدُّنْيَا فَإِنَّ مَنْزِلَكَ عِنْدَ آخِرِ آيَة تقرؤها
God’s messenger said:
“The one who was devoted to the Qur’ān will be told to recite, ascend and recite carefully as he recited carefully when he was in the world, for he will reach his abode when he comes to the last verse he recites.” (Sound hadith: Ahmad, Tirmidhī, Abū Dāwūd and Nasā’ī transmitted it.)
As Shaykh Al-Azeem Abadi said paraphrasing this hadith:
“(The meaning is) the one stick to the Quran by recitation and application, not mere recitation with no application …. No one reaches this greatest reward except those who skillfully master the Quran recitation and memorization.”
Therefore, the more verses you learn, the more degrees you reach in Jannah!
Hadith 3: True Memorizers Of The Quran Will Be With The Noble Angles
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that the one mastering Quran memorization has a special reward which is being with the Angels in Heavens.
The Prophet (SAW) said:
مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَقْرَأُ الْقُرْآنَ وَهْوَ حَافِظٌ لَهُ مَعَ السَّفَرَةِ الْكِرَامِ الْبَرَرَةِ
Narrated Aisha:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Such a person as recites the Qur’an and masters it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven). And such a person exerts himself to learn the Qur’an by heart, and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward.” (Sahih Al Bukhari)
This person mentioned in the hadith maintains correct recitation and good memorization and application of the Quran. His reward is to take a reward similar to that of the noble righteous scribes of angels.
The word “hafidh” mentioned in the hadith tackles memorization in its fullest sense of recitation, understanding and application of meaning. In other words, keeping mere memorization of the Quran’s words only is not enough for the Muslim to have this honor.
Hadith 4: Quran Intercesses For Those Who Stick To It
During the calamities of the day of resurrection, some believers will find the Quran come to serve as an intercessor for them before Allah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
اقْرَءُوا الْقُرْآنَ فَإِنَّهُ يَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ شَفِيعًا لِأَصْحَابِهِ
Abū Umāma said he heard God’s messenger say, “Recite the Qur’ān, for on the day of resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite it.” (Muslim transmitted it.)
Recitation here refers to the rights of both words and meanings of the Quran; reading, understanding and application.
Hadith 5: Memorizing the Quran provides a state of glorification for the Muslim
While all people seek to find respect according to their own standards, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) directed the Muslims to the true people deserving respect in the sight of Allah and people:
إن من إجلال الله إكرام … حامل القرآن غير الغالي فيه، والجافي عنه
Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “It is out of glorification of Allah, Almighty, to honor the grey-haired (old) Muslim, and the bearer of the Qur’an who neither exaggerates concerning it nor neglects it, and to honor the just ruler.” (Sound hadith: Sunan Abi Dawud)
This Hadith mentions things whereby one reveres Allah and glorifies Him:
Among these is, Honoring the bearer of the Qur’an (its memorizer) in his heart. Included are the reciters and interpreters of the Quran. The bearer of the Quran, as this Hadith says, must fulfill two things:
1. Not to exaggerate towards the Quran, that is not to go off the limit in applying it, tracing its ambiguities, and reading it too quickly or too slowly in such a way that one does not understand its meanings.
2. Not to turn away from the Qur’an by not mastering its recitation, knowing its meanings, and following it. Turning away also means ceasing to act upon the Qur’an after one has learned, out of negligence. (source: hadeethenc)
Hadith 6: Special Status In Worldly Life For Quran Memorization
The Muslim devoted to the Quran has a special status in this worldly life in the sight of Islam, not only on the day of resurrection. For example, the more knowledgeable of the Quran the more right he has to lead others in prayers. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
يَؤُمُّ اَلْقَوْمَ أَقْرَؤُهُمْ لِكِتَابِ اَللَّهِ
Narrated Ibn Mas’ud (RA):
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “The one who has the most knowledge of the Book of Allah should be the Imam of the people.” (Sahih Muslim)
Hadith 7: Priority In Burial If Needed
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) highlights that the more devoted to the Quran the more prioritized is in being buried in case of necessity for putting more than one in one grave:
أيهم أكثر أخذا للقرآن … قدمه في اللحد
The Messenger of Allah put two men from those who had been slain in Uhud in one shrud, then he would ask which of them had learned more Qur’an and when one of them was pointed out, he would put him in the Lahd (grave) first. (Authentic Hadith: Sunan An-Nasa’i)
Hadith 8: The Quran Is The Means To Eternal Success
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized the importance of holding onto the Quran as a guiding force in life, assuring that those who adhere to it will never go astray or be lost.
“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) came to us and said: ‘Rejoice, rejoice! Do you not bear witness that there is no deity but Allah and that I am His Messenger?’ We replied, ‘Yes.’ He then said: ‘This Quran is the means; one end is in the hands of Allah, and the other is in your hands. Hold on to it, for you will never go astray or be destroyed after it.’” (Sahih Ibn Hibban)
Hadith 9: Recite The Quran, But Ask Allah With It
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised that when reciting the Quran, one should always seek Allah’s guidance and assistance, for there will be people who will recite it and seek help from others instead.
“I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say: ‘Whoever recites the Quran, let him ask Allah through it, for there will come people who will recite it and ask others.’” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
Hadith 10: The Quran Will Be With Its Reciters On The Day Of Judgement
On the Day of Judgement, those who recite the Quran and live by its teachings will be honored and rewarded greatly by Allah.
“The Prophet (PBUH) said: ‘On the Day of Judgment, the Quran will come and intercede for its reciter. Recite Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah Aal Imran, for they will come on the Day of Judgement like two clouds or two flocks of birds, arguing on behalf of their companions.’” (Sahih Muslim)
Hadith11: The Quran Will Be A Source Of Honor And Glory
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) encouraged the recitation and application of the Quran as a means to earn the highest rewards and attain glory before Allah and people.
“Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (RA) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: ‘The Quran is a means of glorification. Honor those who carry the Quran, without being excessive or neglectful in its recitation and understanding.’” (Sunan Abu Dawood)
Hadith 12: Reciting The Quran Is Better Than Worldly Possessions
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) compared the value of reciting the Quran to having precious worldly possessions, emphasizing the eternal benefit of Quranic learning.
“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘Would any of you like to go every day to a valley with two camels, and find them there? The one who learns two verses of the Quran every day is better than such a person.’” (Sahih Muslim)
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Conclusion:
Memorizing and dedicating oneself to the Quran brings great rewards in both this life and the Hereafter. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized that those who memorize and apply the Quran are considered the closest to Allah, with a special rank among His people.
Not only do they earn higher degrees in Jannah for each verse they memorize, but they are also promised to be in the company of noble angels in the Hereafter. The Quran will intercede for its reciters on the Day of Judgment, ensuring their salvation and honor. Moreover, those who respect and apply the Quran are considered to glorify Allah, gaining respect in this world and special consideration in death.
Furthermore, the Quran provides guidance for success in this life and the next. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised that reciting the Quran while seeking Allah’s help leads to eternal success, with the Quran itself acting as an intercessor on the Day of Judgment.
Memorizing the Quran also carries the honor of being a leader in prayer, as those most knowledgeable in the Quran should lead others in worship. The importance of learning and living by the Quran is further illustrated by the comparison that even the most precious worldly possessions cannot match the eternal value of acquiring Quranic knowledge.