Hadith: The example of a believer who recites the Qur’an is like that of a citron; it smells good and tastes good

عن أبي موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «مثَلُ المؤمن الذي يقرأ القرآن مَثَلُ الأُتْرُجَّةِ: ريحها طيب وطعمها طيب، ومَثَل المؤمن الذي لا يقرأ القرآن كمَثَلِ التمرة: لا ريح لها وطعمها حُلْوٌ، وَمَثل المنافق الذي يقرأ القرآن كمثل الريحانَة: ريحها طيب وطعمها مُرٌّ، وَمَثَل المنافق الذي لا يقرأ القرآن كمثل الحَنْظَلَةِ: ليس لها ريح وطعمها مُرٌّ».
[صحيح] - [متفق عليه]

Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The example of a believer who recites the Qur’an is like that of a citron; it smells good and tastes good. While the believer who does not recite the Qur’an is like a date, which has no smell and is good in taste. And the example of a hypocrite who recites the Qur’an is like a sweet basil; it tastes bitter but smells good. And the example of a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’an is like the colocynth, which has no smell and tastes bitter."
Sahih/Authentic. - [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Explanation

The believer who recites the Qur’an has such an amazing great quality. He has a firm heart that finds peace at reciting the Qur’an, and people who listen to him feel comfortable and get divine reward for listening to him and learning from him. So the believer who recites the Qur’an is entirely good for himself and for others. It should be noted that using the word "recite" is intended for repetition and continuity, until one develops it as a habit. This type of believer is like a citron, which is good in taste and smell, so people enjoy it both ways. Citrons are especially cited here, for they are among the best fruits in all countries. They also look good, taste good, and have a pleasant touch. On the other hand, the believer who does not recite the Qur’an is like a date fruit; it has no smell but tastes good. Being a believer is something good, like a good-tasting date fruit. Both belief and sweetness are invisible. However, a date fruit does not have a smell that people can enjoy, and so they do not benefit from a believer who does not recite the Qur’an. So, in this case, a believer who recites the Qur’an is much better than the believer who does not. Failure to recite the Qur’an means failure to learn it. A hypocrite is inwardly devoid of faith even though the people feel comfortable on hearing his recitation of the Qur’an. So, being wicked from within, although he might be an excellent reciter of the Qur’an, the hypocrite is like a basil, which smells good but tastes bitter. The good smell represents the recitation, and the bitter taste represents disbelief. The point here is that the inside of both is terrible and corrupt. On the other hand, a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’an, so he is devoid of goodness internally and externally, is like a colocynth; it does not have a smell and tastes bitter. So the lack of smell represents the lack of recitation, and the bitter taste represents the lack of belief. With these similes the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave examples of the believer and the hypocrite, categorizing them in relation to reading the Book of Allah, the Most High. So let Muslims be keen on reciting the Qur’an like good believers who resemble citrons in good smell and taste. Allah is the grantor of success.