Reading Qur’an without knowing its meaning
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
The rewards laid down in the Sunnah for reciting the Qur’an are based on oral recitation.
The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said: “Whoever recites the Holy Qur’an well and clearly is equal in rank to the Angels who record creations deeds. These Angels are gracious, honourable and of lofty rank. He who finds difficulty in reciting the Holy Qur’an will obtain double reward. (Sunan Tirmizi p.118 v.2)
In another hadith the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said: “A person who recites one letter of the Holy Qur’an, obtains one virtue each virtue multiplies to ten virtues. I am not saying Alif Laam Meem is one letter, but Alif is one letter, Laam is one letter and Meem is one letter.” (Sunan Tirmizi p.119 v.2)
With regards to your question, it is more virtuous to recite the Arabic of the Holy Qur’an. However, it should not stop there. We should further supplement our recitation of the Qur’an by reading and studying a tafseer of respected and knowledgeable scholar. (Contemporary Fatawas by Mufti Taqi Uthmani (DB) p.281)
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham.
