Within What Period of Time the Holy Quran Should be Read and Completed?

2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from certain individuals of his people from Ali ibn Hamza who has said the following: “Once I went in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام and abu Basir said to the Imam, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, can I read the Holy Quran in one night in the month of Ramadan?’ The Imam said, ‘No.’ He then asked, ‘Can I read it in two nights?’ The Imam said, ‘No.’ He then asked, ‘Can I read it in three nights?’ The Imam said, ‘Haa’ pointing with his hand meaning, “yes, you can.” The Imam then said, ‘O abu Muhammad, for the month of Ramadan there is respect and rights which is unlike the other months. Among the companions of Muhammad عليه السلام there were those who would read the Holy Quran in one month or less. The Holy Quran is not read in a big rush. It should be read with proper elocution and distinct pronunciations. When you come across a verse that speaks of paradise you should pause and ask Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to give it to you and when you come across a verse that speaks of the fire, pause and seek protection with Allah against it.’”

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ali ibn al-Nu’Man from Ya’qub ibn Shu’ayb from Husayn ibn Khalid who has said the following: “Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام ‘In how many days should one complete reading the Holy Quran?’ The Imam said, ‘You may read it in five or seven days. I, however, have a copy of the Holy Quran that is divided into fourteen parts.’”

4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Yahya ibn Ibrahim ibn abu al-Balad from his father from Ali ibn al- Mughirah who has said the following: “Once I asked abu al-Hassan عليه السلام ‘My father once asked your grandfather about reading all of the Holy Quran in one night.’ ‘(Do you mean it to happen) every night?’ Your grandfather inquired. ‘Yes, in the month of Ramadan.’ My father replied. Your grandfather asked him, ‘In the month of Ramadan?’ My father said, ‘Yes, in the month of Ramadan if I could. ’ My father would read the Holy Quran forty times in the whole month of Ramadan. After my father I would read the Holy Quran sometimes more and sometimes less than he did, as I would get a chance within my work, activities and laziness. On ’id day (after the month of Ramadan) I would assign the reward for reading the Holy Quran once for the Holy prophet, one for Imam Ali, one for Al-Sayyidah Fatimah and one for each Imam until yourself and I assigned the reward for reciting the Holy Quran once for you from the time I am doing this. Will there be anything for me in this? The Imam said, ‘On the Day of Judgment, you will be with them.’ ‘Allah is greater than can be described, this much for me!’ I exclaimed. The Imam عليه السلام said three times, ‘Yes.’”

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Ali ibn abu Hamza who has said the following: “Once, abu Basil’ asked Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام when I was also present, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, can I read the Holy Quran in one night?’ The Imam said, ‘No.’ He then asked, ‘Can I read it in two nights?’ The Imam said, ‘No,’ until he reached six nights, the Imam عليه السلام made a hand gesture saying ‘Ha’ a,’ (a hint for approval). Then the Imam عليه السلام said, ‘O abu Muhammad, note that among the companions of Muhammad عليه السلام before you, there were those who would read the Holy Quran once in a month or less. The Holy Quran is not read in a big rush but it is read with proper elocution and distinct pronunciation. When you come across a verse that speaks of the fire you pause and ask Allah for protection.’ Abu Basir then asked, ‘Can I read the Holy Quran in the month of Ramadan once every night?’ The Imam said, ‘No.’ He then asked, ‘Can I read it in two nights?’ The Imam said, ‘No.’ He then asked, ‘Can I read it in three nights?’ The Imam said, ‘Ha’ a, ’ with a hand gesture for approval saying, ‘Yes, the month of Ramadan is not like the other months. It has its rights and respect. Increase in prayer as much as you can.’”