Reciting the Qur'an

Q 3: What is the ruling on reciting the Qur’an; is it Wajib (obligatory) or Mustahab (desirable)? When we asked about the ruling on this, some said that it is not Wajib. Meaning that it is good if it is recited, but if not, there is no sin. Taking this opinion for granted, many people may forsake reading the Qur’an. What is the ruling on abandoning the Qur’an and what is the reward for reciting it?

(Part No. 4; Page No. 101)  A: The ordained obligation of every Muslim is to keep the duty of reciting the Qur’an and do it as often as possible, according to ability, in obedience to the Words of Allah (Exalted be He), saying: Recite (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Qur’ân). Allah (Exalted be He) also says: And recite what has been revealed to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) of the Book (the Qur’ân) of your Lord (i.e. Recite it, understand and follow its teachings and act on its orders and preach it to men). Allah (Exalted be He) mentions the declaration of His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): And I am commanded to be from among the Muslims (those who submit to Allâh in Islâm). And that I should recite the Qur’ân The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: Read the Qur’an, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor for its companions. (Related by Muslim in his Sahih) Thus, a Muslim should neither abandon the Holy Qur’an nor cease to recite it, and must keep away from any forms of abandoning the Qur’an that were stated by the exegetes in their interpretation of abandonment of the Qur’an. For example, Ibn Kathir (may Allah be merciful to him) stated in his Tafsir (explanation/exegesis of the meanings of the Qur’an) that Allah (Exalted be He) relates the words of His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him), who said: O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur’ân (neither listened to it, nor acted on its laws and teachings). This is because the Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) neither heard nor responded to the Qur’an. Allah (Glorified be He) also says: And those who disbelieve say: “Listen not to this Qur’ân, and make noise in the midst of its (recitation)" Whenever the Qur’an was recited to them, they would make noise and talk about any other subject to avoid hearing it; this is a form of abandoning it. (Part No. 4; Page No. 102) Refusing to believe in it, contemplate it, understand it, act upon it, obey its commands and avoid its prohibitions, are all forms of abandonment. Likewise, preferring other things to it, for example, poetry, vain talk, singing, and playing is a form of abandonment.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.