عن عقبة بن عامر الجهني، قال: قال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم -: "الجاهر بالقرآن كالجاهر بالصدقة، والمسر بالقرآن كالمسر بالصدقة"
[صحيح] - [رواه أبو داود والترمذي والنسائي]
المزيــد ...

‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "He who recites the Qur’an openly is like he who gives charity openly, and he who recites the Qur’an secretly is like he who gives charity secretly."
Sahih/Authentic. - [Abu Dawood]

Explanation

He who recites the Qur’an openly is like one who gives charity openly. Likewise, he who recites the Qur’an secretly is like one who gives charity secretly, in terms of the ruling on performing good deeds publicly. Allah Almighty says: {If you give charity publicly, it is good; but if you give it secretly to the poor, it is better for you} [Surat al-Baqarah: 271]. Secrecy is better in charity and recitation, for it is more conducive to sincerity. Doing this openly is also good, especially if there is someone who benefits from this or listens to the recitation, provided it disturbs no one. An example is someone who gives charity in public so that others will follow suit.

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Benefits from the Hadith

  1. Giving charity openly is better than giving it secretly, if this serves a good purpose; otherwise, secrecy in doing so is more appropriate.
  2. Reciting the Qur’an secretly is better for one who may show off, and reciting it openly is better for one unlikely to show off, provided he disturbs no one.
  3. Reciting the Qur’an may be better, for it involves more work and its benefit extends to others. Moreover, it awakens the heart of a heedless person, gathers his focus, and prompts him to listen. If this is not the case, then reciting quietly is better.