“I intended to occupy people with the Quran instead of anything else.” Some ignorant fabricators of this kind of report said, “We lie for the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—not against him.” This ignorant man did not realize that whoever attributes to him something he did not say has indeed lied against him and incurred the threat of severe punishment.”1. Here ends the statement of Ibn al-Qayyim—may Allah have mercy on him.

It should also be understood that the merit of reciting these and other surahs varies according to the condition of the reciter. Recitation accompanied by reflection is superior to recitation without reflection. Some people, when reciting certain surahs, may experience humility, reflection, understanding of Allah’s words, and a sincere resolve to act upon them. Their state may therefore be better and more virtuous than that of others who lack these qualities, even if the latter are reciting superior surahs. Indeed, even the same person’s state may vary: he may perform a less virtuous deed so perfectly that it becomes better for him than all his other, more virtuous deeds.

Shaykh al-Islam said: “One of the shaykhs used to perform ruqya by reciting ‘Say: He is Allah, the One,’ and it brought tremendous blessing. Someone else would perform ruqya with it, yet the same result would not occur. He would therefore say, ‘The recitation of “Say: He is Allah, the One” by just anyone does not benefit everyone.’”2.

Although the same surah was recited in both cases, the effects of the two recitations differed because of the differences in the truthfulness, sincerity, reflection, certainty, earnest desire, and humility present within the heart.

We ask Allah to grant us and you success in realizing this and fulfilling it well, for He—Mighty and Majestic—alone grants success in every good.