Reading the Qur'an slowly and with understanding carries it not merely to the voice but to the heart.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) recited the Qur'an slowly: glorifying Allah at verses of glorification, supplicating at verses of supplication, and seeking refuge in Allah at verses about seeking refuge. He warned his companions against reciting the Qur'an too quickly, saying, "Whoever finishes the Qur'an in less than three days does not understand it." The Qur'an becomes a true guide not through recitation alone, but when it is read with understanding, reflection and practice.
What is the hadith source of this sunnah?
This sunnah rests on the following hadiths. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.
- M1814 Müslim, Müsâfirîn, 203.
- DM1527 Dârimî, Salât, 173
- B5032 Buhârî, Fedâilü'l-Kur'ân, 23
More sunnahs in Prayer & Worship
As a table with references: Prayer & Worship sunnahs.
- A Supplication on Leaving Home: Reciting a supplication every time you leave home means setting out in Allah's name and trusting in Him.
- Tasbih After Prayer: Saying subhanallah, alhamdulillah and Allahu akbar thirty-three times each after every prayer is a remembrance the Prophet taught.
- Fasting on Monday and Thursday: Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is a sunnah the Prophet carefully observed.
- Salawat on Friday: Sending abundant salawat on Fridays is a beautiful expression of love and devotion to the Prophet.
- Making Repentance a Habit: Repenting a hundred times a day stands for the heart's constant cleansing and turning to Allah.
- Reflection and Remembering Death: Remembering death and reflecting deeply protects the heart from attachment to the world.
- Lawful Provision: Eating what is pure and lawful, and keeping away from the doubtful and the forbidden, is required by faith.
- Praying with Humility: Praying with humility and calm is a sunnah the Prophet both practiced and advised.
- Praying the Fajr Sunnah at Home: Praying the sunnah of Fajr at home and the obligatory prayer in congregation at the mosque was the Prophet's practice.