‘Ā’isha reported God’s messenger as saying, “One who is skilled in the Qur’ān is associated with the noble, upright recording angels; and he who falters when reciting the Qur’ān and finds it difficult for him will have a double reward.” (Bukhārī and Muslim.)

a man who, having been given [knowledge of] the Qur’ān by God, stands reciting it during the night and during the day; and a man who having been given property by God, spends on others from it during the night and during the day.” (Bukhārī and Muslim.)

Abū Mūsa al-Ash'ari reported God’s messenger as saying, “A be­liever who recites the Qur’ān is like a citron whose fragrance is sweet and whose taste is sweet, a believer who does not recite the Qur’ān is like a date which has no fragrance but has a sweet state, a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’ān is like the colocynth which has no fragrance and has a better taste, and the hypocrite who recites the Qur’ān is like basil whose fragrance is sweet but whose taste is bitter.” A version has, “A believer who recites the Qur’ān and acts according to it is like a citron, and a believer who does not recite the Qur’ān but acts according to it is like a date.” (Bukhārī and Muslim.)

‘Umar b. al Khattāb reported God’s messenger as saying, “By this Book God exalts some peoples and lowers others.” Muslim trans­mitted it.

Abū Sa'īd al-Khudrī told of Usaid b. Hudair saying that one night when he was reciting sūra al-Baqara (Qur’ān, 2) with his mare tied beside him it moved round in a circle, so he stopped reciting and it stopped moving. He resumed his recitation and it went round in a circle, so he stopped reciting and it stopped moving. Once more he recited and the mare moved round in a circle, so he left off reciting, for his son Yahyā was near it and he was afraid it might injure him. When he had moved him back he raised his head to the sky and saw something like a canopy with what seemed to be lamps in it, and when he told the Prophet of it in the morning, he said, “You should have kept on reciting, Ibn Hudair, you should have kept on reciting, Ibn Hudair.” He replied, “I was afraid, messenger of God, that it might trample on Yahyā who was near it, so I went to him, and when I raised my head to the sky and saw something like a canopy with what seemed to be lamps in it, I went out but could not see them.” He asked whether he knew what that was, and when he replied that he did not, he said, “Those were the angles who had drawn near to listen to your voice, and if you had continued reciting the people would have looked at them in the morning and they would not have concealed themselves from them.” (Bukhārī and Muslim, the wording being Bukhārī’s). Muslim has, “They went up into the air” instead of “I went out.”

Al-Barā said that when a man was reciting sūra al-Kahf (Qur’ān,18) with a horse tied with two ropes at his side a cloud overshadowed him, and as it began to come nearer and nearer his horse began to take fright. He went and mentioned that to the Prophet in the morning and he said, “That was the Shechina* which came down by reason of the Qur’ān.” *The word in Arabic is as-sakīna which may be translated calmness; but here it has the article which indicates something more precise. It may therefore here refer to the Jewish idea of the Shechina which indicates a divine visitation, (Bukhārī and Muslim.)

When I was praying in the mosque the Prophet called me and I did not answer him, but I went to him afterwards and explained that I had been praying, whereupon he asked me whether God had not said, “Respond to God and to the messenger when He calls you,” (Qur’ān, 8:24) adding, “Let me teach you the greatest sūra in the Qur’ān before you leave the mosque.” He then took me by the hand, and when we were about to go out I reminded him of saying he would teach me the greatest sūra in the Qur’ān. He said, “It is, ‘Praise be to God, the Lord of the universe’, (Qur'ān,1) which is the seven oft-repeated verses and the mighty Qur’ān’ (Qur’ān, 15:87) which has been brought to me.” Bukhārī transmitted it.

Abū Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “Do not make your houses graveyards*. The devil flies from the house in which sūra al-Baqara is recited.” *A house in which there is no prayer or recitation of the Qur'ān is here intended. The dead cannot engage in these practices, so such a house is likened to a graveyard. Muslim transmitted it.

Abū Umāma said he heard God’s messenger say, “Recite the Qur’ān, for on the day of resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite it. Recite the two shining ones, Baqara and sūra Āl Imrān (Qur’ān, 2 and 3). for on the day of resurrection they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks* pleading for those who recite them. Recite sūra al-Baqara, for using it produces blessing and abandoning it produces regret, and the slothful are unable to recite it.” *The alternative may indicate that the transmitter was not sure which word was used, “clouds” or "shades”. Muslim transmitted it.

An-Nawwās b. Sam'ān said he heard the Prophet say, “On the day of resurrection the Qur’ān and those who acted according to it will be brought with sūra al-Baqara and Āl ‘Imran preceding them* like two black clouds or canopies with light between them, or as though they were two flocks of birds in ranks pleading for the one who recited them.” * Mirqāt says the pronoun may refer either to the people ahl mentioned, or to the Qur’ān, One may therefore read here either ‘them’ or 'it.' Muslim transmitted it.

God’s messenger asked, “Abul Mundhir (this is Ubayy’s Kunya), do you know which verse of God’s Book that you have is greatest?” I replied, “God and His messenger know best.” He repeated his question and I said, “God, there is no god but He, the Living, the Eternal.” Thereupon he struck me on the breast and said, “May knowledge be pleasant for you, Abul Mundhir!” Muslim transmitted it.

I had been placed in charge of the zakāt of Ramadān by God’s messenger, and when someone came to me and began to take up handfuls of the food, I seized him and told him I was certainly going to take him before God’s messenger. But when he said, “I am needy, have children dependent on me, and my need is great,” I let him go. In the morning the Prophet asked, “What happened to your prisoner last night, Abū Huraira?” and I replied, “Messenger of God, he complained of great need and of having children dependent on him, so I had pity on him and let him go.” He said, “He lied to you, and he will come back.” I realised that he would return because God’s messenger had told me so, and therefore I lay in wait for him. When he came and began to take up handfuls of the food, I seized him and told him I was certainly going to take him before God's messenger; but when he said, “Let me go, for I am needy with children dependent on me, and I shall not return” I had pity on him and let him go. In the morning God’s messenger asked me, “What has happened to your prisoner, Abū Huraira?” and I replied, “Messenger of God, he complained of great need and of having children dependent on him, so I had pity on him and let him go.” He said, “He has certainly lied to you, and he will come back,” so I lay in wait for him, and when he came and took up handfuls of food I seized him and said, “I am certainly going to take you before God’s messenger, for this is the third time you assert you will not return, and then you do.” He said, “If you let me go I will teach you some words by which God will benefit you. When you go to your bed recite the Throne Verse (Qur’ān 2:255), ‘God, there is no god but He, the Living, the Eternal’ to the end of the verse, for a guardian from God will then remain over you and no devil will come near you till the morning.” I therefore let him go, and in the morning God’s messenger asked me, “What has happened to your prisoner?” I replied, “He asserted that he would teach me some words by which God would benefit me.” He said, “He has certainly told you the truth though he is a great liar. Do you know to whom you have been talking for, three nights?” When I replied that I did not, he said, “That was a devil.” Bukhārī transmit­ted it.

Fātihat al-Kitāb (Qur’ān, 1) and the last verses of sūra al-Baqara (Qur’ān, 2). You will not recite a phrase of them without being given the blessing it contains.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abū Mas'ūd reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone recites the two verses at the end of sūra al-Baqara at night they will avert harm from him.” *Or will be enough for him. (Bukhārī and Muslim.)

Abūd Dardā’ reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone learns by heart ten verses at the beginning of sūra al-Kahf (Qur’ān, 18) he will be pro­tected from the dajjal.” Muslim transmitted it.

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “Is any of you incapable of reciting a third of the Qur’ān in a night?” On being asked how they could recite a third of the Qur’ān he replied. “‘Say, He is God, One’ (Qur’ān, 112) is equivalent to a third of the Qur’ān.” Muslim transmitted it, and Bukhārī transmitted it from Abū Sa'īd.

‘Ā’isha said that the Prophet sent a man in charge of an expedition and he would recite for his companions during their prayer, finishing with “Say, He is God, One.” When they returned they mentioned that to the Prophet, and he told them to ask him why he did that. They asked him and he replied, “Because it is a description of the Com­passionate One, and I like to recite it.” Then the Prophet said, “Tell him that God loves him.” (Bukhārī and Muslim.)

Anas said a man told God's messenger that he liked the sūra “Say, He is God, One,” to which he replied, “Your love of it will bring you into paradise.” Tirmidhī transmitted it and Bukhārī transmitted some­thing to the same effect.

‘Uqba b. ‘Āmir reported God’s messenger as saying, “What won­derful verses have been sent down to-night! The like of them has never been seen. They are ‘Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of the dawn’ and ‘Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of men.’” (Qur’ān, 113 and 114). Muslim transmitted it.

‘Ā’isha said that every night when the Prophet went to his bed he joined his hands and breathed into them, reciting into them, ‘Say, He is God, One’; ‘Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of the dawn’; and ‘Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of men.’ Then he would wipe as much of his body as he could with his hands, beginning with his head, his face and the front of his body, doing that three times. (Bukhārī and Muslim)

the Qur’ān which will contend with men, having an exoteric and an esoteric mean­ing; the trust;* and ties of relationship which will say, ‘God join those who joined me and sever those who severed me’!” *Cf. Qur’ān, 33:72 It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna

‘Abdallāh b. ‘Amr reported God’s messenger as saying, “The one who was devoted to the Qur’ān will be told to recite, ascend and recite carefully as he recited carefully when he was in the world, for he will reach his abode when he comes to the last verse he recites.” Ahmad, Tirmidhī, Abū Dāwūd and Nasā’ī transmitted it.

Ibn 'Abbas reported God’s messenger as saying, “Anyone who has nothing of the Qur’ān within him is like a ruined house.” Tirmidhī and Dārimī transmitted it, and Tirmidhī said this is a sahīh tradition.

Abū Sa'id reported God’s messenger as stating, “God who is blessed and exalted says, ‘To him who is so occupied with the Qur’ān as to neglect making mention of me and making request of me I will give the most excellent things I give to those who ask.’ The superiority of God’s words over all other words is like God’s superiority over His creatures.” Tirmidhī, Dārimī, and Baihaqī, in Shu’ab al-īmān, transmitted it, and Tirmidhī said this is a hasan gharīb tradition.

“If anyone recites a letter of God’s Book he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a tenfold reward (Al-Qur’ān, 6:160). I do not say that A.L.M are one letter*, but alif is a letter, lām is a letter and mīm is a letter.” *These letters occur at the beginning of sūras 2, 3, 29, 30, 31 and 32. No satisfactory explanation of their meaning has been given. A brief discussion of them is given by Abdullāh Yūsuf Ali in The Holy Qur’ān, Text, Translation & Commentary (Lahore, 1934 and later editions), note 25. Sea also pp. 118-120. Tirmidhī and Dārimī transmitted it, Tirmidhī saying this is a hasan sahīh tradition whose isnad is gharīb.

While passing in the mosque I found the people engrossed in talk, so I went to visit ‘Alī and told him. He asked if that was really so, and when I assured him that it was, he said he had heard God’s messenger say, “Dissension will certainly come,” and asked him how it could be avoided, to which he replied, “God’s Book is the way, for it contains information of what has happened before you, news of what will happen after you, and a decision regarding matters which occur among you (This is explained as a reference to such matters as unbelief and faith, obedience and dis-obedience, what is lawful and what is forbidden, etc.). It is the distinguisher and is not jesting, (Qur’ān, 86:13). If any overweening person abandons it God will break him, and if anyone seeks guidance elsewhere God will lead him astray. It is God’s strong cord, it is the wise reminder, it is the straight path, it is that by which the desires do not swerve nor the tongues become confused, and the learned cannot grasp it completely.* It does not become worn out by repetition and its wonders do not come to an end. It is that of which the jinn did not hesitate to say when they heard it, ‘We have heard a wonderful recital which guides to what is right, and we believe in it,’ (Qur’ān, 72). He who utters it speaks the truth, he who acts according to it is rewarded, he who pronounces judgment according to it is just, and he who invites people to it guides to a straight path.” *The verb used is one ordinarily meaning 'to be satisfied'. Here it is used to indicate that the learned can never learn all there is to be known about the teaching and meaning of the Qur’ān, so that they should be satisfied and feel no need to continue their study of it. Tirmidhī and Dārimī transmit­ted it, Tirmidhī saying this is a tradition whose isnād is unknown, and al-Hārith is adversely criticised.

When we were with Talha b. Ubaidallah and were in the sacred state, some birds (The word tair may be either singular or plural. Mirqat, iii, 263 remarks that here it is plural ; if not, it must refer to a large bird, as several people seem to have been present) were presented to him while he was asleep, and some of us ate but others refrained. Then when Talha awoke he agreed with those who had eaten, saying, “We ate such along with God’s messenger.” Muslim transmitted it.

Khuzaima b. Jazi said he asked God’s messenger about eating a hyena, and he replied, “Does anyone eat a hyena ? ” He asked him about eating a wolf, and he replied, “Does any one with any good in him eat a wolf ? ” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying its isnad is not strong.

Jabir said he asked God’s messenger about the hyena and he replied, “It is game, and if one who is in the sacred state gets (Mirqat, iii, 262 says this may be either by buying it or hunting) it he should give a sheep as atonement.” Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, “Locusts are counted along with what is caught in the sea.” (Literally, 'the game of the sea’) Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

the snake, the pied crow, the rat, the biting dog and the kite." Bukhari and Muslim.

Jabir reported God’s messenger as saying, “The flesh of game is lawful for you when you are wearing the ihram, as long as you do not hunt it or have it hunted on your behalf.” Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it.

the rat, the crow, the kite, the scorpion and the biting dog." Bukhari and Muslim.

Abu Qatada said that he went out with God’s messenger and stayed behind with some of his companions who were in the sacred state, although he was not. They saw a wild ass before Abu Qatada saw it, and when they saw it they ignored it; but when he saw it he mounted a horse of his and asked them to hand him his whip. When they refused, he took it, chased the wild ass and killed it. Both he and they ate it, but afterwards they repented, so when they caught up on God's messenger they asked him about it. He asked if they had any of it with them, and when they told him they had a leg, the Prophet took it and ate it. Bukhari and Muslim. In a version by both of them it says that when they came to God’s messenger he asked whether any of them had ordered or suggested to him that he should chase it, and when they replied that they had not, he told them to eat the flesh that remained.

As-Sa'b b. Jaththama said that he presented to God’s messenger a wild ass when he was at al-Abwa’ or Waddan (A village not far from al-Abwa’) and that he rejected it, but when he saw how he looked he said, "I rejected it only because I am in the sacred state." Bukhari and Muslim.

God’s messenger married Maimuna when he was not in the sacred state and cohabited with her when he was not in the sacred state, and I was the messenger between them. Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it, the latter saying that this is a hasan tradition.

Anas said that God’s messenger had himself cupped on the surface of his foot because of a pain in it while he was in the sacred state. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Malik Ibn Buhaina said that God’s messenger had himself cupped from the middle of his head at Lahy Jamal (This is variously said to have been a place, a hill, or some water on the way between Mecca and Medina) on the road to Mecca when he was in the sacred state. Bukhari and Muslim.

Nafi' said that Ibn ‘Umar felt cold and told him to throw a garment over him; but when he threw a hooded cloak over him he said, “Are you throwing this over me when God’s messenger has forbidden those who are in the sacred state to wear it ?” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn 'Umar said that when the Prophet was in the sacred state he used to grease'himself with olive-oil which was not muqattat, which means perfumed. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Riders would pass us when we were performing the rites of pilgrimage along with God’s messenger, and when they came by us one of us would let down her outer garment from her head over her face, and when they had passed on we would uncover our faces. Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Ibn Majah has something to the same effect.

Ibn ‘Umar said he heard God’s messenger forbidding women to wear gloves or veils or any garment with dye of wars or saffron on it while they were engaged in the rites of pilgrimage; but afterwards they could wear any kind of clothing they liked dyed yellow, or silk, or jewellery, or trousers, or shirts, or shoes. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ka‘b b. ‘Ujra told that the Prophet came upon him at al-Hudaibiya while he was still in the sacred state before entering Mecca. He was kindling a fire under a pot and lice were falling in large numbers over his face. He asked him whether the insects were annoying him, and when he replied that they were, he said, “Shave your head, and give a faraq (i.e. three sa‘s) to six poor people, or fast three days, or sacrifice an animal.” Bukhari and Muslim.

Ibn ‘Abbas said that the Prophet had himself cupped when he was in the sacred state. Bukhari and Muslim.

‘Uthman told on the authority of God’s messenger that when a man has a complaint in his eyes while he is in the sacred state, he should apply aloes to them. Muslim transmitted it.

Umm al-Husain said she saw Usama and Bilal, one of them holding the halter of God’s messenger’s she-camel, while the other raised his garment and sheltered him from the heat till he had thrown pebbles at the jamra of the ‘Aqaba. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Ayyub said that the Prophet used to wash his head when he was in the sacred state. Bukhari and Muslim.

Yazid b. al-Asamm, Maimuna’s nephew, told on Maimuna’s authority that God’s messenger married her when he was not in the sacred state. Muslim transmitted it. The shaikh and imam Muhyi as-Sunna has said that most people believe he married her when he was not in the sacred state, but the news of his marriage to her became public when he was performing the pilgrimage. Then when he had come out of the sacred state he cohabited with her at Sarif on the way to Mecca.

Ibn ‘Abbas said that the Prophet married Maimuna when he was on pilgrimage. Bukhari and Muslim.

‘Uthman reported God’s messenger as saying, “ One who is on pilgrimage may not marry, or give someone in marriage, or make a betrothal.” Muslim transmitted it.