Nasai

1017. Commentary: It is required by the Shari‘ah to recite the Noble Qur’an with attention, correctness, and presence of heart, so that it has a positive effect on both the reciter and the listeners. However, it should not be in the style of singing; that is, there should be heartfelt emotion (sawz) instead of musical instruments (saz). The fear of Allah (khushiyyah) should overcome both the reciter and the listener. Both should be moved to tears, not to a state of merriment, nor should there be shouts of “Bravo!” (wah). Reciting for the sake of showing off (riya’) or for praise is a cause of punishment. May Allah protect us from it. If beautiful speech is recited with heartfelt emotion and a good voice, this further enhances the beauty of the speech, as narrated by al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib radi Allahu anhu, who said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Beautify the Qur’an with your voices, for a beautiful voice increases the beauty of the Qur’an.” [سلسلة الأحادیث الصحیحة : 401/2 ، حدیث : 771]

1468. English Commentary: Enjoyment is derived from reciting the Qur’an with a beautiful voice and a legislated melody (lahn), and it also captivates the listener’s heart. Conversely, if the voice is harsh and the melody is unlegislated, it causes heaviness and discomfort in one’s disposition. ‘Allamah Mundhiri, regarding this hadith, states that an inverted construction (muqallab tarkeeb—a rhetorical device in ‘ilm al-bayan, where the meaning remains the same regardless of the order in which the phrase is read) has been used here. The original meaning is: “Adorn your voice with the Qur’an,” that is, make its recitation your habit and distinguishing feature. He has also cited another narration with this meaning. (For details, see ‘Awn al-Ma‘bud)

Benefits and Issues:

➊
The Noble Qur’an should be recited with a good voice.

➋
Reciting the Qur’an in a good manner means that the letters should be pronounced from their correct articulation points.
One should avoid mistakes in diacritical marks (i‘rab) and elongations (madd), etc.
Recitation should be done with appropriate modulation, keeping the meaning and context in view.
It is not correct to try to apply the principles of music to the Qur’an.
Nor does adorning the Qur’an with one’s voice mean that the principles of musical instruments and melodies should be used in Qur’anic recitation.