• I asked Ahmad: Do you dislike that a man recites the Quran from its end to its beginning, or that he takes a pen and writes it in that manner? He disliked that intensely.

833 - Abu Ma'n narrated to us, saying: Waki' narrated to us, saying: al-A'mash narrated to us, from Abu Wa'il, who said: A man came to Abd Allah and said: "Indeed, so-and-so recites the Quran in reverse." He said: "That is one whose heart is reversed."

Chapter: Speed in Recitation

• I asked Ahmad ibn Hanbal about speed in recitation. He disliked it, unless the man's tongue is naturally that way [and] he is unable to recite slowly. It was said: Is there sin in it? He said: "As for sin, I would not dare to say so."

• And I heard Ishaq say: "There is no harm in you reciting the [entire] Quran in one night, provided that you do not omit any of the letters and that you make your ears hear [what you recite]. They used to prefer deliberation in recitation and disliked haste. They preferred that one recites it with tartil (slow, measured recitation) and understands it when reciting it. And if you recite it outside of prayer, whether standing, sitting, or lying down, then count it as part of your hizb (daily portion)."

834 - Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Bashar narrated to us, saying: Muhammad ibn Ja'far narrated to us, saying: Shu'bah narrated to us, from Abu Jamra, who said: I said to Ibn 'Abbas: I recite the [entire] Quran in one night. He said: "For me to recite a single surah is more beloved to me than doing that. But if you must do it, then recite in a manner that your ears hear [405] and your heart comprehends."