Benefits of Learning the Quran: Islamic Principles from the Quran and Sunnah

The True Benefits of Learning the Quran: A Scholarly Perspective for the Student of Knowledge

This article is part of a comprehensive scholarly series on Quran learning. Begin with the foundational guide.

Introduction: Learning as Worship, Not Self-Improvement
Many Muslims approach Quran learning seeking benefits—peace, discipline, better decisions. While these may accompany sincere effort, they are not the purpose.
Allah says: “This is a blessed Book which We have sent down to you, so that they may ponder over its verses, and that people of understanding may remember.” (38:29)
The goal is tadabbur (contemplation) and dhikr (remembrance)—not personal optimization.
This guide is for the serious student who seeks to understand:

What the Quran and Sunnah actually promise to the learner,
How the Salaf viewed the “benefits” of knowledge,
Why some experience deep tranquility—while others learn mechanically,
And how to align intention so that even difficulty becomes worship.

A Clarification of Terms

Al-`Ilm bi al-Quran (العلم بالقرآن)
Knowledge of the Quran’s text, rulings, and meanings—sought for Allah’s sake.
Al-`Amal bi al-Quran (العمل بالقرآن)
Acting upon what is learned—without which knowledge is a burden.
The Prophet peace be upon him said: “Allah does not look at your appearances or wealth, but at your hearts and deeds.” (Muslim)
Al-Barakah fi al-`Ilm (البركة في العلم)
Divine increase and goodness in time, understanding, and impact—granted by Allah to the sincere.

The Core Benefit: Drawing Near to Allah
Allah says: “And when My servants ask you concerning Me—indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.” (2:186)
Learning the Quran is an act of calling upon Him—through seeking His guidance.
Ibn al-Qayyim said in Madarij al-Salikin:
“The heart finds no rest except in the remembrance of Allah. And the greatest remembrance is the Quran—speech that descends from the Divine Presence.”
This sakīnah (tranquility) is not a psychological side effect. It is a promise:
“Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (13:28)
Five Verified Benefits from the Textual Sources
I. Intercession on the Day of Judgment
The Prophet peace be upon him said:
“Recite the Quran, for it will come as an intercessor for its companions on the Day of Resurrection.” (Muslim)
Note:

Intercession is for “its companions” — those who recited, believed, and acted.
Ibn Kathir explains: “Companion means one who adheres to it, recites it, and follows its commands.”

This is not automatic for everyone who reads. It requires companionship—living with the Quran.
II. Elevation in Rank in Paradise
The Prophet peace be upon him said:
“It will be said to the companion of the Quran: ‘Recite and rise, for your rank will be at the last verse you recite.’” (Abu Dawud, and Al-Albani graded it hasan)
Key conditions:

Recitation with tartil (measured pace), not rushing,
Acting upon what is known,
Seeking reward—not praise.

III. Double Reward for the Struggling Learner
The Prophet peace be upon him said:
“The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Quran will be with the noble, pious scribes. And the one who recites the Quran and finds it difficult—yet strives to recite it—will have a double reward.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
This hadith is the foundation for every sincere beginner:

Struggle (ijtihad) is worship,
Difficulty is not failure—it is the path to doubled grace.

IV. Purification of the Heart
Allah says:
“Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward.” (17:9)
And: “A Book We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its verses.” (38:29)
Ibn al-Jawzi said: “The Quran is the polish of the heart. When recited with presence, it wipes away rust—love of this world, arrogance, and heedlessness.”
This purification is observable in:

Increased aversion to backbiting and falsehood,
Greater patience in hardship,
Humility in success.

V. Guidance in Daily Life
Allah says:
“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.” (2:2)
And: “We have certainly sent down to you a Book in which is your mention. Then will you not reason?” (21:10)
The Quran is not a self-help book. It is dhikr (remembrance)—that:

Reminds the forgetful of accountability,
Guides the confused to justice,
Strengthens the weak in patience.

How Benefits Manifest—And When They Don’t

For the Sincere (al-Mukhlis)
- Even slow progress brings sakīnah,
- Mistakes are followed by repentance, not despair,
- Time expands—20 minutes feel like 5,
- Du’a increases: “رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا”
For the Show-Off (al-Mutafaqquh li ghayri Allah)
- Memorization without action hardens the heart,
- Knowledge becomes a tool for argumentation,
- The Prophet peace be upon him warned: “The Quran is either an argument for you or against you.” (Muslim)
For the Negligent (al-Ghaafil)
- Recitation without hudur al-qalb (presence) yields little,
- As Imam Malik said: “Knowledge is not what is memorized. Knowledge is what benefits.”

A Student’s Framework for Seeking Benefit
Phase 1: Purification of Intention (Before Learning)

Say: “I learn seeking Allah’s countenance, to understand His guidance, and to act upon it.”
Avoid saying: “I want to memorize for my résumé” or “to impress others.”

Phase 2: Presence in Learning (During Learning)

Perform wudu, even for non-prayer recitation (mustahabb),
Sit facing qiblah,
Begin with isti’adhah and basmalah.

Phase 3: Action After Learning (After Learning)

Ask: “What does this verse command me to do—or stop doing?”
Implement one teaching daily—even small: patience in traffic, truth in speech.

Common Misconceptions—and Their Clarifications

“Learning Quran reduces anxiety like meditation”
→ Partially true—but the sakīnah of Quran is from iman, not technique.
A non-believer may feel calm—but without tawfiq, it does not lead to guidance.
“Memorizing improves memory for all subjects”
→ May be true cognitively—but the barakah is in preserving Allah’s words, not brain training.
“The Quran is a ‘manual for success in this world’”
→ Misleading. Its primary goal is the hereafter. Worldly benefit is a byproduct of obedience—not the aim.

Real Examples from the Salaf

Abdullah ibn Abbas was granted deep understanding because he combined learning with sincere du’a: “O Allah, grant him understanding of religion.” (Bukhari)
Umar ibn al-Khattab wept when he heard a verse about accountability—not for its beauty, but for its warning.
Aisha (RA) said: “The Prophet peace be upon him would recite a single verse until dawn if it moved him.” — presence, not volume.

A Note on “Benefits” in Modern Context
Some claim Quran learning improves “cognitive function” or “decision-making.”
While true for many, these are not the goal—nor are they guaranteed.
The real test is:

Do you turn to the Quran in distress—or only in ease?
Do you apply its rulings when no one watches?
Does your character improve—or just your pronunciation?

Conclusion: Benefit Begins with Humility
The greatest benefit of learning the Quran is not a list of rewards—it is the realization of need.
When you struggle with a letter, you remember: “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”
When you forget a verse, you recall: “Allah is ever-watchful over you.”
When you understand a command, you ask: “How do I live this?”
This humility—this return to Allah—is the seed from which all true benefit grows.
Allah says: “And whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul.” (10:108)
The benefit is personal, eternal, and from Him alone.
Begin today.
Learn one verse.
Reflect on its meaning.
Act upon its guidance.
And trust that the One who revealed the Quran will make its path easy for you.
About AyahStory Pedagogy: Our teaching is based on the Quran, authentic Sunnah, and the methodology of the righteous predecessors. We emphasize sincerity, understanding, and application—not performance or quantity.