2/20. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 461 — Guarding Quran Memory and Mosque Care
On Cleaning The Masjid
Hadith About Forgetting Quran and Caring for the Mosque
Sunan Abi Dawud : 461
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 461
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْحَكَمِ الْخَزَّازُ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الْمَجِيدِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ بْنِ أَبِي رَوَّادٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، عَنِ الْمُطَّلِبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ حَنْطَبٍ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " عُرِضَتْ عَلَىَّ أُجُورُ أُمَّتِي حَتَّى الْقَذَاةُ يُخْرِجُهَا الرَّجُلُ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ وَعُرِضَتْ عَلَىَّ ذُنُوبُ أُمَّتِي فَلَمْ أَرَ ذَنْبًا أَعْظَمَ مِنْ سُورَةٍ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ أَوْ آيَةٍ أُوتِيَهَا رَجُلٌ ثُمَّ نَسِيَهَا " .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The rewards of my people were presented before me, so much so that even the reward for removing a mote by a person from the mosque was presented to me. The sins of my people were also presented before me. I did not find a sin greater than that of a person forgetting the Qur'anic chapter or verse memorised by him.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 461In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 71English translation : Book 2, Hadith 461
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 461
This hadith about forgetting Quran carries two clear messages. First, even a small act like removing a mote or tiny dirt from the mosque has reward. The mosque is a place of prayer, so caring for it is not a small matter in the sight of Allah. Second, the hadith strongly warns against being given a Qur'anic chapter or verse and then forgetting it. The wording shows that memorized Quran is a trust. A person should review what he has learned and not treat it lightly. The main lesson is simple: respect the house of Allah and respect the words of Allah. Both mosque cleanliness and Quran memorization need steady care.
What we learn from this hadith
- Removing even a small harmful thing from the mosque is counted as a rewarded deed.
- A memorized Qur'anic chapter or verse should be protected through care and review.
- The hadith warns against careless neglect after being given Quran knowledge.
- Small acts of service in the mosque can carry real spiritual value.
