The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The example of a believer who recites the Qur'an is that of a citron (a citrus fruit) which is good in taste and good in smell. And the believer who does not recite the Qur'an is like a date which has a good taste but no smell. And the example of an impious person who recites the Qur'an is that of Ar-Rihana (an aromatic plant) which smells good but is bitter in taste. And the example of an impious person who does not recite the Qur'an is that of a colocynth which is bitter in taste and has no smell."
Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed)
Sahih al-Bukhari 7560
The Four Types of People Regarding Qur'an Recitation
This profound hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari classifies people into four categories based on their spiritual state and relationship with the Qur'an. The Prophet (ﷺ) employs tangible examples from creation to illustrate spiritual realities, making divine truths accessible to human understanding.
The Believer Who Recites Qur'an
Like the citron fruit - possessing both pleasant taste and fragrance. This represents the complete believer whose inner faith (taste) matches their outward practice of recitation (fragrance). Their recitation emanates spiritual sweetness that benefits both themselves and those around them, just as a citron's fragrance perfumes its surroundings.
The Believer Who Doesn't Recite
Resembling the date - sweet in taste but lacking fragrance. This indicates a believer with genuine faith internally (sweet taste) but lacking the outward beauty of Qur'anic recitation. Their faith is valid but incomplete, missing the spiritual fragrance that recitation provides to their character and interactions.
The Disbeliever Who Recites
Similar to Ar-Rihana - fragrant but bitter. This describes one who recites Qur'an outwardly, perhaps with beautiful voice and proper tajweed, but lacks true faith internally. Their recitation may impress others (fragrance) but brings no spiritual benefit to themselves due to their disbelief (bitterness).
The Disbeliever Who Doesn't Recite
Like the colocynth - both bitter and fragranceless. This represents the worst state: devoid of faith internally and lacking any connection to Qur'an externally. Such a person benefits neither themselves nor others spiritually, being deprived of both the sweetness of faith and the fragrance of revelation.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains in Fath al-Bari that this hadith emphasizes the necessity of combining correct belief with righteous action. The citron represents the ideal Muslim - sound in aqidah (belief) and abundant in good deeds, particularly Qur'an recitation. The wisdom behind using sensory examples is to make spiritual concepts tangible to human comprehension.
Scholars note that this classification serves as both encouragement and warning - urging believers to perfect their faith through Qur'anic engagement while cautioning against mere outward performance without inner conviction.