Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The example of a Believer who recites the Qur'an, is that of a citron which smells good and tastes good; And the example of a Believer who does not recite the Qur'an, is that of a date which has no smell but tastes sweet; and the example of a hypocrite who recites the Qur'an, is that of an aromatic plant which smells good but tastes bitter; and the example of a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur'an, is that of a colocynth plant which has no smell and is bitter in taste."
Hadith Commentary: The Believer and the Qur'an
This profound hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (5427) employs four distinct botanical examples to illustrate the spiritual states of believers and hypocrites in relation to the Qur'an. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) masterfully uses tangible creation to explain subtle spiritual realities.
The Believer Who Recites Qur'an
The citron (utrujjah) represents the complete believer - beautiful in appearance, fragrant in scent, and sweet in taste. This symbolizes the believer whose inner faith matches outer practice, whose recitation combines sound knowledge with righteous action, and whose character benefits both himself and others.
The Believer Without Recitation
The date fruit signifies the believer who possesses genuine faith but lacks regular Qur'an recitation. While sweet in taste (indicating sound belief), it lacks fragrance - showing that without the Qur'an's illumination, the outward spiritual fragrance that affects others is diminished, though the core faith remains valid.
The Hypocrite Who Recites
The aromatic plant represents the hypocrite who recites Qur'an outwardly. While possessing the "fragrance" of recitation and apparent piety, the bitter taste reveals the corruption within. This demonstrates how mere recitation without faith becomes a hollow performance that ultimately yields no spiritual benefit.
The Hypocrite Without Recitation
The colocynth (bitter gourd) depicts the complete hypocrite - lacking both the fragrance of recitation and the sweetness of faith. This represents the worst state: devoid of both outward connection to revelation and inner belief, resulting in pure bitterness with no redeeming quality.
Scholarly Insights
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains that this hadith teaches us to combine both the outward recitation and inward implementation of Qur'an. The fragrance represents the effect of Qur'an on one's character and interactions, while the taste signifies the spiritual reality within the heart.
Al-Qurtubi notes that the examples progress from best to worst, encouraging believers to aspire to the state of the citron - where inner purity matches outer practice, and where Qur'an recitation transforms both the individual and their environment.