Date : 29-07-2013

Question :

What is the Islamic ruling on the person who quotes verses from the Noble Quran, but fails to recite them correctly?


The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.


When addressing public and private affairs, it is customary that speakers and preachers from amongst the politicians, economists, and sociologists to start with verses from the Noble Quran and Hadiths from the Prophetic Sunnah. 


This act of quoting is mentioned in the authentic Sunnah. The evidence on this is that when Allah's Messenger stood up to observe voluntary prayers he said: “Allah is Most Great. I have turned my face as a hanif towards Him Who created the heavens and the earth, and I am not a polytheist.” {Related by Muslim}.


Moreover, the Messenger of Allah used to say the following dua, "O Allah, it is You who makes the dawn break and makes the night a time for rest and appoints the sun and moon to reckon by. Relieve me of debt and enrich me from poverty and let me enjoy my hearing, my sight and my strength in Your way." {Related by Ibn Abi Shaibah}.


This quotation and implication give power and influence to words and make them reach the conscience of the addressee, in addition to indicating that the speaker trusts and loves the religion of Islam.


Perhaps the most important condition as regards quoting from the Noble Quran is that the speaker should master the rules of correct recitation. This is in order to render the intended meaning of the quoted verses, avoid criticism as well as using the quotation in vain.


As for quoting from the Prophetic Sunnah, the speaker should verify the authenticity of the Hadith by mentioning the transmitter, the source and the degree of authenticity, if he could. He should also avoid using fabricated Hadiths because it isn`t permissible to report such Hadiths unless the person points out that they are as such (Fabricated). What adds to the beauty of quoting from the Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah is when the quotation directly supports the topic addressed by the speaker.


Therefore, mastering the Quran in terms of reciting (in melodious tone), writing and uttering its verses is an obligation upon every Muslim. This helps a Muslim perfect worship, understand the religion, recite the Book of Allah correctly, quote verses correctly, and avoid making any mistakes in this regard.


In addition, it was narrated from Abdullah Bin Omar (May Allah be pleased with them) that he used to beat his son for failing to observe the rules of correct recitation." {Related by Ibn Abi Shaibah}. Omar (May Allah be pleased with him) encouraged Muslims to observe the rules of correct recitation to avoid incurring sin where he said: "Learn the rules of correct recitation and the prescribed acts of worship." {Related by Ibn Abi Shaibah}.


In conclusion, the General Iftaa` Department calls on all Muslims to recite the verses of Quran correctly while delivering speeches, write them correctly, and eschew grammatical errors. And Allah the Almighty knows best.