Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:

Some people find that the words of the Noble Qur’an do not come easily to their tongues, and they require repeated practice. It is for such individuals that there is double reward, because after considerable effort, they succeed in the recitation of the Qur’an.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In one narration, it is stated that the expert in the Qur’an will be with the noble, righteous, and recording angels on the Day of Resurrection.
(Sahih Muslim, Salat al-Musafirin, Hadith: 1862(798))

➋
By “expert in the Qur’an” is meant that memorizer (hafiz) of the Qur’an who recites the Qur’an correctly and does not feel any difficulty or hardship during its recitation. And the person who finds difficulty in reciting the Qur’an, yet continues to recite it despite the hardship, will receive double the reward: one reward for reciting and another for enduring the difficulty. However, he will not reach the rank and status of the expert in the Qur’an, for his distinction is unique. Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah has considered this meaning to be clearer and more correct.
(Fath al-Bari: 8/885)

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
(1)
AL-MAHIRU BIL-QUR’AN:
One who is skilled and proficient in the words and recitation of the Noble Qur’an.
Due to memorization and mastery, there is no stammering or difficulty in reciting.

(2)
AS-SAFARATU AL-KIRAMU AL-BARARAH:
SafaRAH is the plural of saafir, meaning traveler.
It refers to a messenger or envoy, or to scribes, and by this is meant the angels.

(3)
AL-KIRAMU:
Kiraam is the plural of kareem,
meaning honorable and respected.
AL-BARARAH,
Bar is the plural of barr, meaning righteous, loyal, and obedient.

(4)
YATATA’TA’U FEEHI:
He stammers in it,
pauses,
and due to lack of proficiency, fluency is not achieved.

Benefits and Issues:
Those servants of Allah who, believing the Qur’an to be the speech of Allah, maintain a deep attachment and devotion to it, and who, due to frequent recitation and diligence, attain proficiency and recite it fluently and effortlessly,
who ponder over its meanings and implications, and strive to act upon it, will be granted the honor of companionship and association with the noble and respected angels who are bearers of revelation. However, those servants who, out of the demands of faith, recite the Noble Qur’an but, due to lack of ability and proficiency, read it with difficulty and stammering, and who, for the sake of attaining reward, endure hardship and effort in reciting, need not become disheartened or broken-spirited. Along with the reward for recitation, they will receive a separate reward for bearing the hardship and effort.

Explanation:
1:
One who is proficient in reciting the Qur’an, meaning someone who is a hafiz (memorizer) of the Qur’an and recites it with proper tajwid (rules of recitation) and a beautiful voice, such a person will be with the righteous and noble angels. And the one who recites with difficulty, stumbling and struggling, yet has eagerness and passion for reciting the Qur’an, then due to this hardship, he will receive double the reward.

1454. Commentary: There are two rewards: one for reciting the Qur’an, and the other for enduring the difficulty and not becoming disheartened.

Benefits and Issues:
➊
By “expert in the Qur’an” is meant a memorizer (hafiz) and a reciter (qari) who reads with proper tajwid, or a scholar who acts upon his knowledge.

➋
A person who cannot recite fluently with tajwid, yet still recites eagerly and endures the difficulty that comes with reading, will receive double the reward. This contains great glad tidings for elderly individuals whose tongues become heavy, so that despite their efforts, they are unable to articulate the letters with correct points of articulation (makharij) and characteristics (sifat al-huruf); therefore, they should not abandon recitation, but rather continue this righteous deed.

➌
Even a deficient deed performed with sincerity of intention is very beloved to Allah Ta‘ala, when it is not possible to perform the deed without deficiency.