Which is better and more rewarding: reviewing the Qur’an and imbedding it in the heart, or increasing supererogatory prayers and glorifications, for someone who has memorized the Qur’an but sometimes makes mistakes in their prayers?
Reciting the Quran is better than engaging in remembrances (dhikr) and glorifications (tasbih), except in situations where a specific dhikr has been prescribed. This is based on the saying of the author of al-Mutahhara: "Remembrance is abundant, but the Quran is its best, except for that in which something else has been prescribed." And also based on the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: "The best words after the Quran are four, and they are from the Quran: Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah), Al-hamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah), La ilaha illa Allah (There is no god but Allah), and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest)." The early Muslims (Salaf) used to recite the Quran frequently. The best Quranic recitation is that which occurs during prayer, and it is permissible to place the Mushaf on an elevated stand to read from it during prayer. Worshipping through prayer is better than worshipping through recitation, based on the Prophet's saying, peace be upon him: "The best of your deeds is prayer." However, if the purpose is to master the memorization of the Quran, then reviewing the Quran is better than a supererogatory prayer, because supererogatory knowledge is the best of supererogatory acts, and "the superiority of knowledge is better than the superiority of worship."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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