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Hi everyone, and welcome back to For All Humans.

Did you know that the Quran is a holy book memorized flawlessly by millions in its original Arabic text, and that most who memorize it aren’t even Arabs? Hamza Yusuf recounts a story where, during Hajj in Mecca, if the Imam leading the prayer makes a mistake in his recitation, you can hear the masses correcting him. Can you imagine millions of people memorizing every single word in a book? How is this even possible?

In this episode, we will explain why Muslims recite and memorize the Quran. We invite you to reflect on how they do it, because, if anything, we believe it is both a blessing and a miracle from God.

Muslims are keen on memorizing the Quran for several reasons. It is essential for every pious Muslim to memorize at least a few chapters of the Quran. During the daily prayers—one of the five pillars of Islam—a Muslim recites the opening chapter, Al-Fatiha, followed by a few verses from any of the Quran’s 114 chapters. This daily recitation helps Muslims memorize portions of the Quran and encourages the most pious to memorize even more.

There are also many rewards and honors for Muslims who recite and memorize the Quran. For one, it is a source of great blessing, as it is believed a Muslim will be highly rewarded for each verse memorized during his or her lifetime. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “The one who is devoted to the Quran will be told on the Day of Resurrection, ‘Recite and ascend in ranks as you used to do.’ Your rank will be at the last ayah you recite.”

A greater source of merit and blessing is in studying and understanding the principles and precepts of the Quran. But since the Quran is in Arabic, does this put non-Arabic speakers at a disadvantage? Not at all. The Prophet encourages both proficient Arabic speakers and those who struggle to recite the Quran to continue practicing. In a Hadith, he said, “Verily, the one who recites the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites it with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have twice that reward.”

Yes, you heard that right—twice the reward. This Hadith encourages new Muslims who find reciting the Arabic text challenging, giving them an advantage over those who find it easier.

There are also several rewards in this life. It was narrated that Abdullah ibn Mas’ud said that when the first immigrants arrived in Quba before the Prophet came to Medina, Salim, the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfa, led them in prayer because he knew the most Quran. Even when slavery was common, memorizing the Quran was a qualification for leadership.

The memorizer of the Quran is also honored alongside a just ruler. Muslims are encouraged to recite and memorize the Quran, as it brings tranquility and inner peace. Reciting the Quran is a form of dhikr, or remembrance, which is a meditation practice that transports the mind and soul to a place of peace and tranquility. The Prophet says, “The man who has nothing of the Quran inside him is like a ruined house.”

In several verses, Allah mentions the healing and tranquility the Quran brings to its reciters. In verse 82 of Surah Al-Isra, He says, “We send the Quran as healing and mercy for those who believe.” And in Surah Ar-Ra’d, verse 28, He says, “Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do the hearts find rest.”

Last but not least, a Muslim who memorizes the Quran not only honors themselves but also their parents. There are hadiths that mention on the Day of Judgment, the reciter’s parents will be given a crown with light like the sun and garments surpassing anything found in this world.

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See you all next time!