Hadith on Quran: Parable of Believers and Hypocrites

📖Sahih al-Bukhari 5059
Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The example of a believer who recites the Qur’an and acts on it, like a citron which tastes nice and smells nice. And the example of a believer who does not recite the Qur’an but acts on it, is like a date which tastes good but has no smell. And the example of a hypocrite who recites the Qur’an is like a Raihana (sweet basil) which smells good but tastes bitter And the example of a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’an is like a colocynth which tastes bitter and has a bad smell.”

The hadith (saying) of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) mentioned in Sahih al-Bukhari 5059 compares the qualities of different types of people based on their relationship with the Qur’an and its teachings.

1. The first category of people is the believer who both recites and acts upon the Qur’an. The comparison given is to a citron, which is a fruit that has a pleasant taste and aroma. This means that the believer who reads and practices the Qur’an is considered to be wholesome and beneficial in both their speech and actions.
2. The second category of people is the believer who does not recite the Qur’an but acts upon its teachings. This type of believer is compared to a date that has a good taste but no fragrance. This means that while their actions are good, they lack the added benefit of the Qur’anic wisdom and guidance that can be found in recitation.
3. The third category of people is the hypocrite who recites the Qur’an but does not act upon it. This person is compared to sweet basil, which has a pleasant fragrance but a bitter taste. This means that their outward appearance may seem appealing, but their inner self is corrupted with hypocrisy and insincerity.
4. The fourth and final category of people is the hypocrite who neither recites nor acts upon the Qur’an. This person is compared to a colocynth, which is a bitter-tasting and bad-smelling fruit. This means that this type of person is not only lacking in good deeds and understanding of the Qur’an, but they also have negative qualities and traits.

In conclusion, the hadith emphasizes the importance of not only reading and reciting the Qur’an but also understanding and implementing its teachings in one’s life to be considered a true believer.