Musnad Shihab

Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Indeed, the example of the believer who recites the Qur’an is like that of a citron, whose fragrance is pleasant and whose taste is good. And the example of the believer who does not recite the Qur’an is like that of a date, whose taste is good but it has no fragrance. And the example of the sinner who recites the Qur’an is like that of basil, whose fragrance is pleasant but its taste is bitter. And the example of the sinner who does not recite the Qur’an is like that of colocynth, whose taste is bitter and it has no fragrance. And the example of a good companion is like that of a musk seller; even if you do not get anything from him, his fragrance will surely reach you. And the example of a bad companion is like that of a blacksmith’s furnace; even if you are not affected by its heat, its smoke will surely reach you.”