Imām al-Nawawī (raḥimahullāh) stated: ‘Know that the Qur’ān is of the most emphasised of all adhkār, so it is essential to be consistent in it, and not to miss it even for one day or night … The reciter is enjoined to be sincere in recitation and to seek the pleasure of Allah thereby, not seeking to gain anything else. He should follow the proper etiquette of the Qur’ān and remember in his heart that he is having a private conversation with Allah and that he is reciting His Book. So he should recite it as though he could see Him, for even if he cannot see Him, Allah sees him!
‘Search for pleasure in Salāh, Qur’ān and dhikr. If you find it, then rejoice. And if you do not find it, then know that the door is closed.’ (Hasan al-Baṣrī)
The believer should aim to complete the recitation of the Qur’ān at least once a month, as per the narration under the chapter entitled ‘How much of the Qur’an should be recited?’ in Sahih al-Bukhārī, whereby the Messenger of Allah ﷺ advised ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aās (radiy Allāhū ‘anhumā): “Recite the entire Qur’ān in a month…”
The hadīth continues: ‘Abdullah (raḍiy Allāhu ‘anhu) responded: “I can do more than that! The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Recite it in twenty days” He responded: “I can do more than that.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Recite it in fifteen.” He responded: “I can do more than that” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Recite it in ten! He responded: “I can do more the than that.” So he ﷺ said: “Recite it in seven and do not do more than that.” (Abū Dāwūd)
The companions (radiy Allāhū ‘anhum) would complete the recitation of the Qur’ān in seven days. (Abū Dāwūd)
They would divide their recitation as follows:
- al-Fātihah to al-Nisā (4 sūrahs | 1-4)
- al-Mā’idah to al-Tawbah (5 sūrahs | 5-9)
- al-Yūnus to al-Naḥl (7 sūrahs | 10-16)
- al-Isrā to al-Furqān (9 sūrahs |17-25)
- ash-Shuarā to Yā Sin (11 sūrahs | 26-36)
- as-Ṣāffāt to al-Hujurāt (13 sūrahs | 37-49)
- Qāf to al-Nās (Mufassal – 65 sūrahs | 50-114)
