The Beauty of Reciting the Quran Aloud
📖Sahih al-Bukhari 7544, Sahih Muslim 792
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, Allah does not listen to anything as He does to the beautiful voice of a prophet, reciting the Quran aloud pleasantly.
- The hadith emphasizes that beautiful, sincere speech, especially Quran recitation, is highly beloved to Allah.
- “Voice of a prophet” refers broadly to their speech, including guidance, wisdom, teaching, or reciting the Quran beautifully.
- Allah’s “listening” is metaphorical. Allah does not literally hear like humans; He already knows everything, past, present, and future.
- Saying Allah “listens” expresses His delight, acceptance, and pleasure in sincere, impactful speech.
- A prophet’s melodious recitation or sincere speech benefits hearts, guides others, and earns reward, which is why it is singled out as especially beloved.
- What unfolds in our time is simply the manifestation of Allah’s knowledge, which already encompasses all events and words.
Quranic Context
📖Quran 73:4
And recite the Qur’an with measured recitation.”
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Encourages careful and beautiful recitation, emphasizing the spiritual value of melodious reading.
📖Quran 2:255
Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?”
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Allah’s knowledge is absolute; His “listening” reflects delight and acceptance, not temporal hearing.
📖Quran 6:59
“And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows whatever is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it…”
Allah’s awareness encompasses all; “listening” signifies His pleasure with sincere and beautiful speech.
Lessons for Today
- Recite the Quran or speak sincerely with clarity, heart, and beauty.
- Allah’s “listening” is metaphorical: it reflects acceptance, delight, and spiritual reward.
- Everything is already known to Allah; our words and actions unfold in time but are already within His knowledge.
- Sincere, impactful speech, whether recitation or guidance, earns Allah’s pleasure and benefits others spiritually.