Reciting the Qur’an Beautifully Out of Consideration for People

Question

It is reported from Hazrat Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari ﵁ that he was once reciting the Noble Qur’an, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ heard him and praised it. When he learned of this, he said: “If I had known that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was listening, I would have recited even better.” From this it is understood that reciting the Qur’an at someone’s request, and reciting it with great embellishment, is permissible.

Answer

There is no doubt that there is a reward in pleasing a believer’s heart as well. But in worship performed for Allah Most High, the intention must be precisely to please Allah Most High. To please the Noble Prophet ﷺ is, in its very essence, to please Allah Most High Himself: [ar]وَمَنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ[/ar] “Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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