Completing the Quran in a Single Night

Written by: Shaykh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani (حفظہ اللہ)

Question:
What is the ruling on completing the Quran in less than three days, especially when some of the pious predecessors (Salaf) have done so?

Answer:
Authentic narrations indicate that the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) never completed the Quran in a single night. His recitation varied; sometimes he recited more, and at other times less. Below are some key Ahadith on this matter:

Prophetic Practices and Instructions​

➊ Narrated by Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman (رضی اللہ عنہ):
"I prayed with the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) one night. He began reciting Surah al-Baqarah. I thought he would stop after 100 verses, but he continued. I thought he would recite it in one rak’ah, but he continued. Then he started Surah an-Nisa and recited it, followed by Surah Aal-e-Imran. He recited slowly and carefully. Whenever he passed a verse mentioning glorification, he glorified Allah. Whenever he passed a verse of supplication, he supplicated. And whenever he passed a verse seeking refuge, he sought refuge, until he completed his recitation and went into rukoo’.”
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab Salat al-Musafirin, Hadith No. 772)

➋ Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (رضی اللہ عنہ):
"I prayed with the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), and he made his recitation so long that I intended to do something bad." Someone asked him, "What did you intend to do?" He said, "I intended to sit down and leave him."
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab Salat al-Musafirin, Hadith No. 773)

➌ Narrated by Aisha (رضی اللہ عنہا):
"I do not know that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) ever recited the entire Quran in one night."
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab Salat al-Musafirin, Hadith No. 746)

➍ Narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr (رضی اللہ عنہ):
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"Recite the Quran in a month." I said, "I have the strength to recite more." He said, "Recite it in seven days, and do not recite it in less than that."
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab Fadha’il al-Quran, Hadith No. 5054; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm, Hadith No. 1159)

He also said:
"The one who recites the Quran in less than three days does not understand it."
(Sunan Abi Dawood, Kitab al-Salah, Hadith No. 1394)

➎ The Prophet’s Practice:
"The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would not complete the Quran in less than three days."
(Sifah Salat al-Nabi by Al-Albani, Pg. 120)

➏ Narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (رضی اللہ عنہ):
"Recite the Quran in seven days, and do not recite it in less than three."
(Fath al-Bari, Vol. 9, Pg. 97)

Scholarly Consensus​

The above narrations clarify that the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) never completed the Quran in a single night and explicitly instructed that it should not be recited in less than three days.

Hafiz Ibn Hajar (رحمہ اللہ) states:
"This is the view of Imam Ahmad, Abu Ubaidah, Ishaq ibn Rahwayh, and others."
(Fath al-Bari, Vol. 9, Pg. 97)

Mawlana Abdul Rahman Mubarakpuri (رحمہ اللہ) writes:
"The preferred opinion is the one chosen by Imam Ahmad, Ishaq ibn Rahwayh, and others."
(Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi, Vol. 4, Pg. 63)

While there are reports of some pious predecessors completing the Quran in less than three days, the prophetic practice and instructions take precedence. It is possible that these narrations did not reach them.

Conclusion​

The most preferred and balanced approach is not to complete the Quran in less than three days. Following the prophetic guidance ensures understanding and reflection during recitation.