Merits of Memorizing the Qur'aan

Memorizing the Qur’aan is an act of worship through which one seeks the Pleasure of Allaah and reward in the Hereafter. Without this intention, a person will never have any reward; rather he will be punished for doing this act of worship for someone or something other than Allaah. 

The person who has memorized the Qur’aan should not have any intention of gaining worldly benefits by memorizing the Qur’aan, because his memorization thereof is not a product to be traded with in this world, rather it is an act of worship which is done for the sake of his Lord. Hereunder are some of the special privileges in this world and in the Hereafter that Allaah has given to the one who memorizes the Qur’aan:

First:  He takes precedence over others in leading the prayer:  

Aboo Mas’ood al-Ansaaree narrated: “The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘The people should be led in prayer by the one among them who has the most knowledge of the Book of Allaah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Qur’aan, then by the one who has most knowledge of the Sunnah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then by the one who migrated (made Hijrah) first; if they are equal in terms of Hijrah, then by the one who became Muslim first. No man should lead another in prayer in his domain of authority, or sit in his place in his house, except with his permission.” Recorded by Muslim 

Second: He is placed in front of others in a common grave, closer to the Qiblah, if it is essential to bury him with others:

 Jaabir bin ‘Abdullaah (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: “The Prophet would wrap two of the men slain at Uhud in a single cloth, then he would ask, ‘Which of them knew more Qur’aan?’ If one of them was pointed out to him, he would put that one in the lahd (niche in the side of the grave) first. And he said, ‘I will be a witness over these people on the Day of Resurrection.’ He commanded that they should be buried with their blood, without being washed, and that no funeral prayer should be offered for them.” Recorded by al-Bukhaaree

Third: He takes precedence in leadership if he able to bear that: 

‘Aamir bin Waathilah narrated that Naafi’ Ibn ‘Abd al-Haarith met ‘Umar in ‘Usfaan, and ‘Umar had appointed him as governor of Makkah. ‘Umar said, “Who have you appointed in charge of the people of the valley?” He said, “Ibn Abza.” ‘Umar asked, “Who is Ibn Abza?” He said, “One of our freed slaves.” Umar said, “Have you appointed over them a freed slave?!” He said, “He is well-versed in the Book of Allaah and he has knowledge of the laws of inheritance.” ‘Umar said: “Your Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Indeed, by this Book, Allaah would exalt some people and degrade others.’” Recorded by Muslim 

Fourth:  He will be given a crown of honour and a garment of honour to wear in the Hereafter:

Aboo Hurayrah related that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “The Qur’aan will come on the Day of Resurrection and will say, ‘O Lord, adorn him.’ So he will be given a crown of honour to wear. Then it will say, ‘O Lord, give him more.’ So he will be given a garment of honour.’ Then it will say, ‘O Lord, be pleased with him.’ So Allaah will be pleased with him. Then it will be said to him, ‘Recite and advance in status, and for each verse you will gain one more reward for good deed.” Recorded by al-Tirmidhee who said it is a hasan saheeh hadeeth. Al-Albaanee graded it hasan in Saheeh at-Tirmidhee).

Fifth: The Qur’aan will intercede for him with his Lord:

It was narrated that Abu Umaamah al-Baahili said: “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) say, ‘Recite the Qur’aan, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection to intercede for its companions. Recite the two bright ones, al-Baqarah and Soorah Aal ‘Imraan, for they will come on the Day of Resurrection like two clouds or two shades or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Soorah al-Baqarah for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it.” Recorded by Muslim and by al-Bukhaaree in a mu’allaq form 

Sixth: For Parents who assisted their Children to Learn the Qur’aan

Aboo Hurayrah said: “The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘The Qur’aan will come on the Day of Resurrection like a pale man saying to its companion, “Do you recognize me? I am the one who made you stay up at night and made you thirsty during the day…” Then he will be given dominion in his right hand and eternity in his left and a crown of dignity will be placed upon his head, and his parents will be clothed with garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world. They will say, “O Lord, how did we earn this.” It will be said to them, “Because you taught your child the Qur’aan.”’” Recorded by at-Tabaraanee in al-Awsat 6/51

Buraydah related: “The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Whoever reads the Qur’aan, learns it and acts in accordance with it, on the Day of Resurrection his parents will be given a crown to wear whose light will be like the light of the sun, and his parents will be given garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world. They will say, “Why have we been given this to wear?” It will be said, “Because your child learned the Qur’aan.”’” Recorded by al-Haakim, 1/756); these two hadeeths support one another. See Silsilah as-Saheehah, 2829.