Do Not Be Fooled By The One Who Recites

The Prophet (PBUH) has said: Malik said, “I heard that al-Qasim ibn Muhammad used to say, ‘I have seen the people, (i.e. the companions), and they were not impressed by speech.’ ” Malik said, “He meant that only action and deed would be looked at, not words.” [Malik’s Muwatta, Book #56, Hadith #56.10.25)

‘Umar bin Al-Khattaab said: “Do not be fooled by the one who recites the Qur’an for that is only words we utter. Rather, look at the one who acts upon it.”

Al-Hasan said: “Verily, this Qur’an is learned by servants and young children who do not approach it from its front side, nor do they have knowledge of the interpretation of its meanings. Allah, the Most High, says: ‘This is a Book (which) We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its verses.’ [Soorah Saad: 29] What does pondering over its verses mean? It means following it through actions. And verily, the people with the most right to this Qur’an are those who follow it even if they don’t recite it. One of them says: ‘O so and so, come here, I will teach you how to recite! When did the reciters ever do this? They are not the reciters, nor are they the forbearing, nor the wise. May Allah not increase their likes amongst the people!”

Bakr bin Khunais said: “Verily, in the Hellfire there is a valley, which the Hellfire seeks refuge from seven times every day. And verily, in this valley there is a pit, which the valley and the Hellfire seek refuge from seven times every day. And verily, in this pit, there is a snake, which the pit, the valley, and the Hellfire seek refuge from seven times every day. It will begin first with the wicked bearers of the Qur’an. So they will say: ‘O Lord! Will you start with (punishing) us before the idol worshippers? It will be said to them: ‘The one who knows is not like the one who doesn’t know.’”