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Text and translation
English translation
214. It was narrated from Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari that the Prophet ﷺ said: "The likeness of the believer who recites the Qur'an is that of a citron, the taste and smell of which are good. The likeness of a believer who does not read the Qur'an is that of a date, the taste of which is good but it has no smell. The likeness of a hypocrite who reads the Qur'an is that of sweet basil, the smell of which is good but its taste is bitter. And the likeness of a hypocrite who does not read the Qur'an is that of a colocynth (bitter apple), the taste of which is bitter and it has no smell."
(Sahih)
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Commentary
a. Both reciting the Noble Qur'an and implementing its teachings are acts of great virtue, and are both required of all of us. Recitation being an outward quality has been likened to the sweet smell of the fruit. Implementation, on the other hand, is an internal phenomenon, since it includes qualities like deep-rooted faith, sincerity of purpose, love and fear of Allāh, as well as righteousness of conduct and piety. As such it has been likened to the taste of the fruit.
b. Both faith and conduct of a hypocrite are sour, but his recitation of the Qur'an could be of benefit to others. That is the reason why he is likened to a flower whose sweet smell is sensed from afar, but its bad taste makes it unfit to eat.
