“The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.”
(Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — Sahih al-Bukhari 5027)
Introduction: A Personal Reflection
Growing up, I often heard the phrase khairukum man ta allamal Quran wa allamahu — but I didn’t truly understand its weight until much later in life.
In a world chasing material success, this Hadith felt like a gentle reminder: true excellence lies not in wealth, but in learning and sharing the Book of Allah.
When you think about it, what could be more noble than connecting hearts to the very words of our Creator?
In this article, let’s dive deeply into the meaning, context, and beauty of this Hadith, piece by piece — with full Arabic, transliteration, Urdu, and English — and discover why it remains a timeless guide for every Muslim.
| Hadith- Innamal A’malu Binniyat |
| Hadith- Allahumma Inni As’aluka Al Jannah |
| Darood Sharif Text in Arabic | درود شریف |
| Fazkuruni Azkurkum- Surah Al Baqarah-152 |
The Hadith in Full: Arabic, Transliteration, and Translations
Arabic Text:
خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ
Transliteration:
Khairukum man taʿallama al-Qurʾāna wa ʿallamahu
Urdu Translation:
تم میں سے بہترین وہ ہے جو قرآن سیکھے اور دوسروں کو سکھائے۔
English Translation:
“The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.”
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5027
What Does “Khairukum” Really Mean?
Khairukum (خَيْرُكُمْ) means “the best of you.”
In Islam, “best” isn’t measured by status, wealth, or fame. It’s measured by proximity to Allah, service to His religion, and benefit to His creation.
True greatness in Islam is linked to knowledge and action, not material success.
In this Hadith, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ beautifully ties khair (goodness) to seeking, embodying, and spreading the divine message.
The Two Pillars: Learning and Teaching the Qur’an
The Hadith emphasizes two actions:
1. Taʿallama al-Qur’an — Learning the Qur’an
Learning the Qur’an is not just about reading Arabic words. It means:
- Understanding its meanings (Tafsir)
- Reflecting on its messages (Tadabbur)
- Applying its teachings in daily life (Amal)
Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an:
كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ
Transliteration: Kitābun anzalnāhu ilayka mubārakun liyaddabbarū āyātihi waliyatadhakkara ulū al-albāb
Translation: “A blessed Book We have revealed to you so that they may reflect upon its verses, and those of reason would be reminded.”
(Surah Sad, 38:29)
Reflection is a key part of true learning.
2. ʿAllamahu — Teaching the Qur’an
Teaching can take many forms:
- Teaching recitation (Tajweed)
- Explaining meanings (Tafsir)
- Encouraging others to act upon it
Even if you know one verse, you are encouraged to teach it.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
بَلِّغُوا عَنِّي وَلَوْ آيَةً
Transliteration: Ballighū ʿannī walaw āyah
Translation: “Convey from me even if it is one verse.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 3461)
Why Does Teaching Make You the “Best”?
When you teach the Qur’an:
- You multiply your rewards: Every good deed done because of your teaching is also rewarded to you.
- You become part of the Qur’an’s chain: Its light continues through your students, even after you leave this world.
- You strengthen your own understanding: Teaching deepens your own connection to the Qur’an.
It’s not just about knowledge — it’s about leaving behind a living legacy.
Khairukum Man Ta Allamal Quran in the Light of Scholars
Imam Al-Nawawi (رحمه الله) Commentary:
Imam Nawawi explains that “the best of you” refers to those who not only learn the Qur’an but act upon it and teach it to others sincerely, without seeking worldly gain.
Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani (رحمه الله) Commentary:
In Fath al-Bari, he highlights that both actions — learning and teaching — must exist together for one to be considered “the best.”
Related Quranic Verses to Understand Deeper
Here are some Qur’anic verses closely linked with this Hadith:
1. Quran as Light
اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ
Transliteration: Allāhu nūru as-samāwāti wal-arḍ
Translation: “Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.”
(Surah An-Nur, 24:35)
The Qur’an brings the light of guidance into the hearts.
2. Quran as Guidance
هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
Transliteration: Hudan lil-muttaqīn
Translation: “Guidance for the God-conscious.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:2)
Teaching the Qur’an means spreading guidance to others.
Practical Ways to Implement This Hadith in Your Life
- Enroll in Qur’an classes (Tajweed, Tafsir, Arabic)
- Teach your children a few verses daily
- Sponsor Qur’an education for orphans or students
- Start small: Even sharing a verse’s meaning with friends is teaching!
Remember, you don’t need to be a scholar to teach. You just need sincerity and effort.
Conclusion: A Personal Note
When I first realized the depth of “khairukum man ta allamal Quran wa allamahu,” it shifted my life’s priorities.
What legacy do I want to leave behind? A fancy title? A bank balance? Or hearts illuminated by the Qur’an?
Even today, I remind myself: every verse I learn or teach is a seed planted — one that will bloom, perhaps long after I’m gone, in places I’ll never even see.
May Allah make us all among those whom He calls “the best.” Ameen.
Yes, it is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5027 — among the most authentic collections.
Absolutely. The Hadith is general for all — men, women, young, and old.
Learning basic meanings (Tafsir) strengthens understanding but even starting with recitation is highly rewarded.
