6/49. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 822e — Balanced Qur'an Recitation in Prayer
Slow, measured pace of recitation (tartil), and to not rush when reciting, and the permissibility of reciting two or more surahs in one rak`ah
Hadith About Qur'an Recitation in Prayer: Reading With Care
Sahih Muslim : 822e
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 822e
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجُعْفِيُّ، عَنْ زَائِدَةَ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ شَقِيقٍ، قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي بَجِيلَةَ يُقَالُ لَهُ نَهِيكُ بْنُ سِنَانٍ إِلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَقْرَأُ الْمُفَصَّلَ فِي رَكْعَةٍ . فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ هَذًّا كَهَذِّ الشِّعْرِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ النَّظَائِرَ الَّتِي كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ بِهِنَّ سُورَتَيْنِ فِي رَكْعَةٍ .
Shaqiq Narrated from:
A person from Banu Bajila who was called Nabik b. Sinan came to Abdullah and said: I recite mufassal surahs in one rak'ah. Upon this 'Abdullah said: (You recite) like the recitation of poetry. I know the manner in which the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) recited two surahs in one rak'ah.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 822eIn-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 340USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1795
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 822e
This hadith about Qur'an recitation in prayer teaches a simple point: speed is not the goal. A man said he recited the mufassal surahs in one rak'ah. 'Abdullah did not praise that as a show of strength. He compared it to the quick reading of poetry, which points to rushed recitation. Then he brought the matter back to the way of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. He said he knew how the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم recited two surahs in one rak'ah. The main lesson is to look at prophetic prayer practice, not just how much can be read. A good prayer recitation keeps meaning, order, and calm in view.
What we learn from this hadith
- Reciting a lot in one rak'ah is not praised here when it is done too hastily.
- 'Abdullah corrected the man by pointing him back to the Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلم manner.
- Prayer recitation should not be treated like fast poetry reading.
- The hadith gives attention to both recitation and following the prophetic example.
