English translation
4829. It was narrated from Abān, from Qatādah, from Anas who said: “The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said: ‘The likeness of the believer who recites the Qur’ān is that of the citron whose scent is good and whose taste is good. The likeness of a believer who does not recite the Qur’ān is that of a date whose taste is good but it has no scent. The likeness of an evildoer who recites the Qur’ān is that of basil whose scent is good but its taste is bitter. And the likeness of an evildoer who does not recite the Qur’ān is that of a colocynth (a bitter-apple) whose taste is bitter and it has no scent. The likeness of a righteous companion is that of the one who sells musk; if you do not get anything from him, you will still smell its fragrance. And the likeness of an evil companion is that of the one who works the bellows; if you do not get any of his soot you will still get some of his smoke.” (Sahīh)
