He who recites the Qur’an openly is like he who gives charity openly, and he who recites the Qur’an secretly is like he who gives charity secretly
Narrator in the source: ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir al-Juhani
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir al-Juhani (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "He who recites the Qur’an openly is like he who gives charity openly, and he who recites the Qur’an secretly is like he who gives charity secretly."- Grade in the source
- Authentic
- Reported by
- Narrated by Abu Dāwūd, At-Tirmidhi, and An-Nasā’i
- Source entry
- HadeethEnc · 65055 ↗
Original Arabic wording
عن عُقبة بن عامر الجُهني رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسولُ الله صلَّى الله عليه وسلم: «الجاهِرُ بالقرآن كالجاهِرِ بالصَّدَقَةِ، والمُسِرُّ بالقرآن كالمُسِرِّ بالصَّدَقَة».Understand this hadith
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that one who recites the Qur’an openly is like one who gives charity openly, and one who recites the Qur’an secretly is like one who gives charity secretly.
Lessons from the hadith
- Reciting the Qur’an secretly is better, just as giving charity secretly is better, for the sincerity involved and the avoidance of show-off and self-admiration, unless if openness is required for some need or benefit, like teaching the Qur’an to others.
References (original Arabic)
سنن أبي داود (2/ 494) (1333)، سنن الترمذي (5/ 40) (2919)، سنن النسائي (5/ 80) (2561)، الكاشف عن حقائق السُّنن (5/1688)، شرح أبي داود للعيني (5/238)، تحفة الأحوذي (8/ 191)، التنوير في شرح الجامع الصغير (5/286).