This chapter is about the sound of the Qur'an, the care of reciting it in a beautiful, heartfelt voice and the joy of listening to it well recited. The reports show the Prophet praising a fine voice and being moved himself by the words.
Notice how recitation is meant to reach the heart, both the reciter's and the listener's. A pleasant, sincere voice draws people closer to the meaning, and even the Prophet's own eyes filled with tears when the verses were read to him.
Hadith 1004
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال :سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: "ما أذن الله لشيء ما أذن لنبي حسن الصوت يتغنى بالقرآن يجهر به " ((متفق عليه))
I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "Allah does not listen so attentively to anything as He listens to the recitation of the Qur'an by a Prophet who recites well with a melodious and audible voice." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
Allah gives special attention to a Prophet reciting the Qur'an beautifully and clearly, showing how beloved sincere, fine recitation is.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1004 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 14
Hadith 1005
Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال له :" لقد أتيت مزمارا من مزامير آل داود " ((متفق عليه)) . وفي روايه لمسلم : أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال له : " لو رأيتني وأنا أستمع لقراءتك البارحة".
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him, "You have been given a Mizmar (sweet melodious voice) out of the Mazamir of Prophet Dawud (David)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. And in a version narrated by Muslim "If you would have seen me, as I was listening to your recitation last night."
In plain words
The Prophet praised the man's gift of a sweet, melodious voice and told him how much he enjoyed listening to his recitation, encouraging us to recite well.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1005 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 15
Hadith 1006
Al-Bara' bin 'Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
وعن البراء بن عازب رضي الله عنهما قال :سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قرأ في العشاء بالتين والزيتون، فما سمعت أحدًا أحسن صوتا منه .((متفق عليه)) .
I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) reciting Surat Wat-Teen Waz-Zaitun (Chapter 95) during the 'Isha' prayer. I have never heard anyone reciting it in a more beautiful voice than his. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
A simple memory of how beautifully the Prophet recited in prayer, more lovely than anyone the narrator had ever heard.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1006 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 16
Hadith 1007
Abu Lubabah Bashir bin 'Abdul-Mundhir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن أبي لبابة بشير بن عبد المنذر رضي الله عنه قال، أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: من لم يتغنَ بالقرآن فليس منا ".((رواه أبو داود بإسناد جيد)) .
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who does not recite the Qur'an in a pleasant tone is not of us." [Abu Dawud].
In plain words
This urges reciting the Qur'an in a pleasant, careful tone rather than carelessly, treating the words with the beauty they deserve.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1007 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 17
Hadith 1008
Ibn Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
وعن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه قال: قال لي النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم :"اقرأ علي القرآن "، فقلت : يا رسول الله، أقرأ عليك وعليك أنزل ؟! قال : "إني أحب أن أسمعه من غيري" فقرأت عليه سورة النساء حتى جئت إلى هذه الآية : {فكيف إذا جئنا من كل أمة بشهيد وجئنا بك على هؤلاء شهيدا} قال: "حسبك الآن" فالتفت إليه، فإذا عيناه تذرفان .((متفق عليه)) .
The Prophet (ﷺ) said to me, "Recite the Qur'an to me." I said: "O Messenger of Allah! Shall I recite it to you when it was revealed to you?" He (ﷺ) said, "I like to hear it from others." Then I began to recite Surat An-Nisa'. When I reached the Ayah: 'How will it be when We shall bring a witness from every people and bring you as a witness against them?' (Having heard it) he said, "Enough! Enough!" When I looked at him, I found his eyes were overflowing with tears. [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].
In plain words
The Prophet loved to hear the Qur'an from others, and when the verse about being a witness over people was reached, he was so moved that he wept and asked his companion to stop.
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1008 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 18