Approach the Quran

Views Regarding the Recitation of the Qur'an Loudly or Quietly

 

There are some hadiths that recommend reciting the Qur'an loudly, while other hadiths give preference to reciting the Glorious Qur'an in a low voice. An example of the first category is the following hadith:

 

"Allah does not listen to anything, (more approvingly) as He listens to a Prophet reciting loudly the Qur'an in a sweet voice. "[1]

 

Yet, an example of the second category is the following hadith:

 

"The similitude of a man who recites the Quran loudly is that of a man who gives charity overtly, while the similitude of a man who recites the Qur'an in a low voice is that of a man who gives charity covertly."[2]

 

In this regard, An-Nawawi said that reading the Glorious Qur'an in a low voice is better than reading loudly in some situations: When one fears insincerity; when reading loudly would interrupt other worshipers; when sleepers may be awakened owing to a loud voice, etc. Reading the Glorious Qur'an loudly is better in other situations for it awakens the hearts, has great influence on the listeners, makes the reader concentrate on reading, etc. The following hadith confirms this view: Abu Sa`id reported that once the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was in the mosque when he heard the people reading the Qur'an loudly; thereupon he said,

 

"As you all invoke and converse with Allah, none of you should harm the others nor raise his voice over theirs."[3]

 

Abu Hurayrah, moreover, reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to read the Quran by night in a loud voice for some time and in a low voice in other times[4]

 

 

 

[1] Reported by Muslim

 

[2] Reported by Abu Dawud. At-Tirmidhi, and An-Nsa'i.

 

[3] Reported by Abu Dawud.

 

[4] Reported by Abu Dawud.