Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … We would like to speak from personal observation that most reciters (qurra) are heedless of the objectives of the Qur’an, the rulings of the Qur’an, and the spirit of the Qur’an; they are deprived of the Prophetic explanations and Islamic etiquettes. They practice taking long breaths and melodious recitation solely so that people, upon hearing their recitation, will exclaim in admiration and praise.

Dear readers! If you do not agree, then our question is this: A reciter is reciting, and he wishes to recite a surah consisting of seven or eight verses in a single breath. Due to prolonging his breath, his face has turned red; in order to reach his goal, he sometimes moves his leg, sometimes shakes his head, presses his forehead with his hands, his mouth has taken on a strange shape, and he is completely heedless of the meanings of the verses. The listeners have both hands raised to applaud. Who compelled him to such affectation? Is the recitation style of Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), not sufficient?

We have encountered many reciters who are successful teachers in the field of memorization (hifz), but are heedless even of the prayers and are immersed in moral crimes. The Noble Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) spoke the truth that most reciters have hypocrisy; outwardly, they make a great display of their connection with the Noble Qur’an, but in reality, they are heedless of the purpose for which the Qur’an was revealed.

Nevertheless, there are reciters of noble character and good conduct; may Allah Ta’ala increase their number. The summary of the discussion is that attention should be given to knowledge, understanding of the religion (fiqh), and practice. Preachers should teach people knowledge and practice, as well as reform and piety, which is the real objective of the Shari’ah.

Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Amr (radi Allahu anhu) narrated a similar hadith from the Noble Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).