In how many days can the recitation of the Quran be completed?

- Can the Quran be completed by reading its translation?
- What is the minimum amount of time allowed to complete the Quran, i.e., in how many days can it be completed?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Reading the Quran in its transliterated form using the Latin alphabet or its translation does carry rewards. However, it is not as rewarding as reading it in the original Arabic. Completing the Quran in Arabic is, of course, more virtuous. Simply reading the entire translation of the Quran does not count as completing a full recitation.

The companion Abdullah b. Amr was one of those who devoted both day and night to the path of Allah. He spent all his time fasting and praying. Abdullah described his situation as follows:

"My father married me to Umra, the daughter of Abdullah b. Abbas. But because I spent all my time in prayer and fasting, I was not paying attention to my wife. One day, my father visited my wife. He asked how she was finding me, and she replied:

'My husband is one of the noblest of men, but he doesn't pay us any attention...'

My father, saddened by my wife’s words, sought me out and said:

'Son, I married you to one of the most honorable women of the Quraysh, and yet you have acted like this, doing this and that!..'

He then went to the Prophet (PBUH) and complained about me. After listening to my father, the Prophet summoned me. I immediately went to his honorable presence. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked:

- Do you fast during the day?
- Yes, O Messenger of Allah!
- Do you pray at night?
- Yes, O Messenger of Allah!

Upon this, the Prophet said:

- But I fast and also eat; I pray and also sleep, and I also attend to my wives. This is my way. Whoever deviates from my way is not from me.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said to me:

'Complete the Quran once a month!' I responded:
'But I feel stronger than that.'
The Prophet then said: 'Then complete it once every ten days.'
I replied: 'But I can do more.'
The Prophet said: 'Then complete it once every three days.'
Then, turning to the topic of fasting, the Prophet said:
'Fast three days every month!' I responded:
'I have the strength to do more.'

However, the Prophet did not permit more. I insisted on more, so he granted permission. But I kept asking for more until the Messenger of Allah said:

'The most virtuous fasting is the fasting of my brother Dawud (peace be upon him). He would fast one day and eat the next day.' The Prophet added:

'Every devoted person experiences moments of enthusiasm for worship. However, this is followed by weariness. At that time, a person either adheres to the Sunnah or goes toward innovation. Whoever adheres to the Sunnah during weariness is guided. But whoever goes another way is doomed.'" (Bukhari, Sawm, 55; Nikah, 89; Tahajjud, 20; Muslim, Sawm, 192; Nasai, Sawm, 76; Ibn Hanbal, II, 194, 198)

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