Riyad as-Salihin, 995

Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The believer who recites the Qur'an is like a citron whose fragrance is sweet and whose taste is delicious. A believer who does not recite the Qur'an is like a date-fruit which has no fragrance but has a sweet taste. The hypocrite who recites the Qur'an is like basil whose fragrance is so sweet, but its taste is bitter. The hypocrite who does not recite the Qur'an is like a colocynth which has no fragrance and its taste is bitter." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن أبي موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏

‏مثل المؤمن الذي يقرأ القرآن مثل الأترجة‏:‏ ريحها طيب، وطعمها طيب، ومثل المؤمن الذي لا يقرأ القرآن كمثل التمرة‏:‏ لا ريح لها وطعمها حلو، ومثل المنافق الذي يقرأ القرآن كمثل الريحانة‏:‏ ريحها طيب وطعمها مر، ومثل المنافق الذي لايقرأ القرآن كمثل الحنظلة‏:‏ ليس له ريح وطعمها مر‏

‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Book 8, Hadith 5

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) A believer who recites the Qur’an is better than a believer who does not, as the former has a good soul and heart, and he brings good to himself and to people. He is like a fruit that smells good and tastes good. But a believer who does not recite the Qur’an brings good only to himself and does not benefit others. He is like a date; it tastes good but has no smell. 2) The hypocrite has evil character and malicious soul. There is no good in him whether he recites the Qur’an or not; he is like a basil or a colocynth. 3) Setting examples is one of the most effective and useful methods of teaching.

Related hadiths10