Is It Permissible to Recite the Quran in a Group and to Pay for Recitation?

Question

Is group recitation of the Quran lawful? Is it also lawful to have a wedding (walima) at the end of such recitation? Is it lawful to present a gift to the memorizers for such a recitation?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him.

Gathering to recite the Quran, having a special occasion, such as a wedding, and giving gifts or payments to the reciters of the Quran are permissible, and Allah knows best.

Gathering to Recite the Quran

Gathering to recite and study the Quran, whereby one recites and the others listen (especially if they study it together and explain the meanings), is prescribed in Islam and is an act of worship that Allah loves and for which He rewards greatly. Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “No people gather in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it together, but tranquility descends upon them and mercy encompasses them, and the angels surround them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him.” [Muslim; Abu Dawud]

Quran for Payment

Some of the companions of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) came across one of the tribes of the Arabs, and they were not hospitable to them. The chief of that tribe was bitten by a snake (or stung by a scorpion).

They said (to the Companions of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace)), “Have you got any medicine with you or anybody who can treat with Ruqya?” The Prophet’s Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) said, “You refuse to entertain us, so we will not treat (your chief) unless you pay us for it.”

So they agreed to pay them for a flock of sheep. One of the Companions started reciting Surat al-Fatiha, gathering his saliva and spitting it (at the snake bite). The patient got better, and his people presented the sheep to them, but they said, “We will not take it unless we ask the Prophet (whether it is lawful).”

When they asked him, he smiled and said, “How do you know that Surat-al-Fatiha is a Ruqya? Take it (flock of sheep) and assign a share for me.” [Bukhari]

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.