Hadith 2566

Abu Musa al-Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The example of a believer who recites the Qur’an is like a citron—its fragrance is pleasant, and its taste is pleasant. The example of a believer who does not recite the Qur’an is like a date—it has no fragrance, but its taste is sweet. The example of a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’an is like a colocynth—it has no fragrance, and its taste is bitter. And the example of a hypocrite who recites the Qur’an is like a basil—its fragrance is pleasant, but its taste is bitter." [Agreed upon] In another narration: "The believer who recites the Qur’an and acts upon it is like a citron, and the believer who does not recite the Qur’an but acts upon it is like a date."