The Salaf and the Quraan during Ramadhaan

Follow @AhleDhikr Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

It is narrated in Sunan Abee Dawood that ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Whoever stands to pray at night and recites ten Aayaat then he will not be recorded as the negligent. If one stands to pray at night and recites one hundred Aayaat then he will recorded as the obedient. If one stands to prayer and recites one thousand Aayaat a night then he will be recorded as those who are the Muqantareen.” The Muqantareen are those who have obtained a huge amount of reward.

Therefore, the one who prays in congregation should try to achieve what is mentioned in this Hadeeth, as it is was the practice of many from the Salaf that they would complete the Quraan every third night in their night prayers.

Some would complete it every seven nights as it was narrated to be the habit of Qataadah.

Some would complete the Quraan every tenth night as it was narrated about Aboo Rajaa’ al-‘Itaardee.

It was the habit of the Salaf to recite the Quraan abundantly in the month of Ramadhaan, within their Salaat and outside it.  

Aswad would recite the Quraan and complete it every two nights in Ramadhaan.

Nakhaa’ee would complete the Quraan every two nights in the last ten nights of Ramadhaan but during the rest of the month he would complete it every three nights. Qataadah would complete the Quraan every week outside of Ramadhaan but within Ramadhaan he would complete the Quraan every three nights and in the last ten nights, he would complete it every night.

Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee would complete the Quraan sixty times in Ramadhaan and this was outside of his Salaah.

It is narrated that Aboo Haneefah would do the same.

Qataadah was narrated as giving the month of Ramadhaan specific importance in studying the Quraan.

When Ramadhaan would enter, it is narrated that Imaam az-Zuhree would recite the Quraan and feed the poor.

Ibn ‘Abdul-Hakam said, “When Ramadhaan would enter, Maalik would leave studying Hadeeth and he would give importance to reciting the Quraan from the Mushaf instead.”

‘Abdur-Razaaq said, “When Ramadhaan would enter, Sufyaan ath-Thawree would leave all the acts of worship he would normally do and he would give all his attention to reciting the Quraan.”

‘Aaishah [May Allaah be Pleased with her] used to recite the Quraan from the Mushaf in the morning during the month of Ramadhaan and once the sun had risen, she would sleep.

Sufyaan said, “When Ramadhaan would come, Zubayd al-Yaamee would draw his attention to the Mushaf and he would gather his companions whilst doing so.”

It has been narrated from the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] that he prohibited us from completing the Quraan within every three nights, however when we come across a time which is virtuous, like the month of Ramadhaan, especially the nights of this month, or a place that is virtuous, like being in Makkaah, then there is no restriction in how much Quraan you recite.

This was the view of Imaam Ahmad, Ishaaq and others from the scholars of the Salaf. The evidence for this has proceeded as this was the view and the habit of many of the Salaf.

Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif: Chapter 37: The Virtue of Giving in Charity and Reciting the Quraan in Ramadhaan (Pg. 125-134)