Keep on reciting this Qur'an, for by the One in Whose Hand my soul is, the Qur'an slips away from memory faster than camels escaping their tying ropes

Arabic text

عن أبي موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «تَعَاهَدُوا هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ، فَوَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَهُوَ أَشَدُّ تَفَلُّتًا مِنَ الْإِبِلِ فِي عُقُلِهَا».

Translation

Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Keep on reciting this Qur'an, for by the One in Whose Hand my soul is, the Qur'an slips away from memory faster than camels escaping their tying ropes."

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered the Companions to recite the Qur'an regularly and not to forget it after they had learned it by heart. He emphasized this fact by swearing that the Qur'an slips away from one's memory faster than camels tied with ropes in the middle of their foreleg. If their shepherd pays attention to them, they remain with him, and if he releases them, they go away and will be lost.

Benefits

• If a memorizer of the Qur’an regularly recites it time and again, it remains in his heart; otherwise, it goes away from him and will be forgotten.
• Among the benefits of regular recitation of the Qur’an is obtaining reward and elevation of ranks on the Day of Judgment.

Topics

• The Noble Qur'an and Qur'anic Sciences
• Excellence of the Qur'an
• Merit of Taking Care of the Qur'an