and the hardship. For that reason the Prophet ﷺ said to ʿĀʾishah, “Your reward is in proportion to the effort you exert,” meaning to the fatigue you bear. Thus, the person who stammers while reciting the Qur’an and finds it difficult is granted two rewards: one for the act of recitation itself and another for persevering through the hardship. Even so, the first category—the proficient reciter—is superior, for his rank is lofty. There is a clear distinction between someone of high standing and another who is below that level, even though the latter is still rewarded.

To illustrate—bearing in mind that no analogy can fully match the divine recompense—imagine a man of nobility, leadership, and elevated status among the people, yet whose money is scant, and another man who is insignificant in people’s eyes, of no real worth, yet possesses abundant wealth. The first is unquestionably better.

In short, the skilled reciter of the Majestic Qur’an is counted among the noble, dutiful angel-scribes, whereas the one who recites while stammering and struggling receives a double reward. In every case, the reciter of the Qur’an never loses out. Allah grants success.

995 – Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The believer who recites the Qur’an is like the citron: its fragrance is pleasant and its taste sweet; and the believer who does not recite the Qur’an is like the date, no—”