Firstly, reading the Qur᾽ān is recommended at all times, whether day or night. Some scholars even consider it obligatory, differing in specifying the time of obligation. They cite the verses: “Indeed, I have been commanded to worship the Lord of this city (Mecca), who has made it sacred, and to Him belong all things. And I have been commanded to be of the Muslims. And to recite the Qur᾽ān.” [An-Naml: 91-92]. Also, Allāh Almighty says: “And the Messenger will say, ‘O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Qur᾽ān as [a thing] abandoned’ And thus have We made for every prophet an enemy from among the criminals. But sufficient is your Lord as a guide and a helper.” [Al-Furqān: 30-31].

Secondly, the Sharī῾ah has distinguished certain times over others with increased reward, as well as certain places and circumstances. Reciting the Qur᾽ān at dawn earns more reward than at other times because it is witnessed: “And [also] the Qur᾽ān [i.e., recitation] of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed.” [Al-᾽Isrā᾽: 78]. Reciting the Qur᾽ān during prayers earns more reward than at other times because it is associated with the greatest pillar of Islam.

Similarly, reciting the Qur᾽ān during virtuous times and occasions includes:

• The last third of the night, for the ḥadīth of Abī Hurayrah and Abī Sa῾īd who said: “The Messenger of Allah (PPBUH) said, Allah waits till when one-third of the first part of the night is over; He descends to the lowest heaven and says: It there anyone asking for forgiveness? Is there any repentant? Is there any petitioner (for mercy and favor)? Is there any solicitor? -till it is daybreak.” [Reported by Muslim].
• Friday night, its afternoon (after ῾Aṣr), and the period between Ẓuhr and ῾Aṣr on Wednesday, for the ḥadīth of ῾Abdur-Raḥmān ibn Ka῾b bin Mālik who: ” Jābir ibn ῾Abdullāh said, “The Messenger of Allāh (PPBUH) made supplication in the Mosque of Victory three times, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and it was answered for him between the two prayers on Wednesday, so delight appeared on his face.” Jābir said, “Whenever anything severe and serious happened to me and I singled out that time and made supplication to Allāh concerning it, I found the answer.'” [Reported by ᾽Aḥmad in his Musnad].

Fatwa issued by Dr. Khālid Naṣr