Question

Assalamu Aleikum,

Beside the Egyptian reciters, from sheikh Abdel Basit to those present, who recite the Qur’an in front of an audience (usually in mosques), are there other nationalities that do so? In other words, do Saudi reciters, for instance, do the same as Egyptian reciters?  

Who was the first reciter to recite in front of audiences during the time of the prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah upon him)?

May Allah help you in finding the answers inshallah.
Ma Salam  

Answer

Wa alaikum assalaam wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakatuh.

The Qur’an was revealed as an oral transmission and was transmitted orally at first, and later written.  Therefore, the Muslims from the beginning of the Prophecy of the Messenger    would recite the revelation to each other; of course the Prophet, , recited each piece of revelation to them first, and then they spread it among themselves.  The Messenger, , once asked Abdullah bin Mas’ood  to recite to him, and said “I desire to hear it from other than myself.” [Hadeeth Bukhari and Muslim].  

In another incident related by Anas bin Maalik, , the Prophet, , said to Ubayy bin Ka’b, “Indeed Allah has ordered me to recite to you.”  He [Ubayy] said, “Did Allah name me to you?”  He [the Prophet, ] said, “Allah named you to me.” Then Ubayy started crying.” Sahih Muslim.  

It is common at the commence any kind of conference or meeting of Muslims, that the Qur’an is read.  Usually the one chosen is the Muslim with the most knowledge of the Qur’an, tajweed, and a pleasant voice.  May Allah protect them from the whispers of shaytaan and make their recitation solely for Allah.  It takes one with strong faith and pure intentions to be able to recite solely for Allah and not look for earthly gain or praise of people in their recitation in such a situation.  

We found a particular moving, useful, and strong article that warns against hypocrisy of the qurraa’ (reciters of the Qur’an).  It is a translation of part of a book in Arabic.  We urge all students of the Qur’an to read this article and take heed of the many warnings in the article. The link is:  http://www.islaam.net/main/display.php?id=614&category=2

Some of the strongest quotes from the article are the following:

‘Uqbah bin ‘Aamir (ra) narrates that Rasul ul Allah ( ) said: “The majority of the Munafiq’s found in my Ummah are its Quraa’.” [Sahih: Reported by Ahmed, at-Tabrani and others. See Sahih al-Jami‘ #1203]

Az-Zamakhshari (rh) comments: “Rasul ul Allah ( ) meant Riyaa’ when he mentioned Nifaq. Since both of these characteristics signify an outer deed that is contrary to the inner belief.”

For this reason al-Imam al-Ghazali (rh) states:

 “Beware of Quraa’ if they have these four characteristics:

• Al-Amal (Hope for worldly reward and renumeration)

• Al-‘Ajlah (hastiness in seeking reward for his deeds)

• Al-Kibr (Pride and boastful arrogance)

• Al-Hasad (Wishing to have what others possess while also wishing for them to lose their possession, namely, envy).”

“Our Muslim ummah has been afflicted with Quraa’ who have mastered the articulation and pronunciation of the Quran, but do not implement any of its dictates or obligations. Many of these reciters indulge in major and minor sins without seeking to correct their ways. There are those who are mesmerized by the musical incantations of popular singers; others are addicted to cigarettes and Hashish. We seek refuge with Allah from all of this.
Furthermore, there are those who have turned their recitation of al-Quran into a vocation seeking the lowly fare of the worldly life. Commercialism of al-Quran has become widespread in the Muslim lands. The reciters seek compensation for reciting on special occasions of joy or sorrow; if not promised compensation they would not recite.
The Quran to them no longer carries a meaning. The general population listens to it as if it is a song or a play.”
End of quotes from article.

Wa assalaam alaikum wa rahmatu Allah