Question: Jibril would review the Qur’ān during Ramadan with the Prophet ﷺ at night. Do we understand from this that it is better to recite the Qur’ān at night instead of the day?

Answer by Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-‘Uthaymin (rahimahullah):

There is no doubt that reciting the Qur’ān at night usually causes more mindfulness and concentration especially if it is after rising from sleep. Allāh said: “Verily, the rising by night is very hard and most potent and good for governing [the soul], and most suitable for [understanding] the Word of Allāh.” Sūrah al-Muzzammil (73:6)

However, this is not specific to Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ because we know that Allāh’s Messenger is the leader of the Muslim nation and is in charge of their affairs and, thus, during the day he is busy with attending to the peoples’ affairs. As for the night then of course he has more free time, so two things combined for him at night: (1) having more free time and (2) having more mindfulness and concentration.

Therefore, regarding a person reciting and reviewing the Qur’ān today, if they were to find that, during the day, they have more mindfulness and concentration, and at night their heart is busy, then they should recite during the day. However, if we were to look at what is more common, we would see that at night one usually has more mindfulness and concentration, and it is easier to ponder and reflect over the Qur’ān.

Source: Al-Liqā’at al-Ramaḍāniyyah (pg. 38)

Originally published: 14 April 2021