Virtues of the Qur'an - Sahih al-Bukhari 5027

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The best among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it."

Exposition of the Hadith

This noble hadith establishes the superiority of those who engage with the Qur'an through learning and teaching. The phrase "best among you" indicates a spiritual ranking where proximity to the Qur'an elevates one's status in the sight of Allah.

Learning the Qur'an encompasses both recitation with proper tajweed and understanding its meanings, rulings, and wisdom. Teaching includes transmitting correct recitation, interpretation, and implementation of its guidance.

The conjunction "and" between learning and teaching suggests that the complete virtue is achieved by combining both - one should not only acquire knowledge but also disseminate it, following the example of the Prophet who was both student and teacher of revelation.

Scholarly Insights

Imam al-Nawawi comments that this hadith encourages Muslims to become people of the Qur'an, noting that the "best" are those whose knowledge and actions are aligned with Qur'anic teachings.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains that the excellence mentioned applies to both the one who learns for personal rectification and the one who teaches for the benefit of others, with each having their respective rewards.

Scholars emphasize that this excellence is not merely in memorization but in implementation, as the true people of the Qur'an are those who live by its guidance and invite others to do likewise.