Why Do People Cry Easily When Reading the Quran?

By Nia Kurniati Nurlaila

In this hustle and bustle of a world, people often hide their wounds behind smiles. Some hearts appear strong, but secretly carry a heavy burden. Trials come one after another to every servant awaiting God’s pleasure. No creature knows that the wounds are still raw, but appear dry on the outside. Some souls appear calm, but are actually searching for a place to return to, seeking security, simply to lean on and confide deeply buried wounds in the silence of the Divine night. But often, that place of return is found when someone opens and discovers the words strung together within the pages of the Quran.

Many people ask, “Why does it so easily happen to someone to cry when reading the Quran?” Some even feel unable to hold back the tears that suddenly flow for no apparent reason when the verses of Allah are recited. Previously, they were able to hold back their tears in front of others, in public, or in various situations in life.

Indeed, crying when reading the Quran is not a sign of weakness or arrogance. In fact, it is a sign that the heart is still alive.

The Quran touches the hearts of believers

The Quran is not just a collection of letters and words. It is the word of Allah, revealed as guidance, healing, and light for humanity.

Allah says:

اَللّٰهُ نَزَّلَ اَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيْثِ كِتٰبًا مُّتَشَابِهًا مَّثَانِيَۙ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُوْدُ الَّذِيْنَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْۚ ثُمَّ تَلِيْنُ جُلُوْدُهُمْ وَقُلُوْبُهُمْ اِلٰى ذِكْرِ اللّٰهِۗ

“Allah has sent down the best sayings, the Quran, similar (its verses) repeated; the skins of those who fear their Lord tremble at it, then their skins and hearts become calm when they remember Allah…” (QS. Az-Zumar: 23)

This verse illustrates how the Quran touches people not only through the intellect, but also through the heart. When a servant opens page after page of verses about Allah’s mercy, he remembers how many blessings he has received. When reading verses about sin and forgiveness, he recalls the mistakes he has made. When reading the stories of the prophets, he finds a mirror for his life’s journey. That’s where tears often find their way.

Cries from feeling close to Allah

Sometimes a person cries not because of sadness, but because he feels that Allah is All-Good, that Allah’s help is truly near, and that he feels an extraordinary closeness to Allah.

His heart feels as if he is being spoken to directly by the Lord of the universe. Each verse feels like an answer to the burden he has been carrying, each verse addresses the anxiety and restlessness he has been unable to express to anyone, only to shed tears without a word. Amidst the busyness of this world, humans often feel alone. But when reading the Quran, he discovers that Allah knows everything in his heart, even before he speaks it. This feeling sometimes makes his chest feel tight with emotion and his eyes fill with tears.

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says,

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ

“And when My servants ask you (Muahamad) about Me, then indeed I am near. I grant the request of the person who prays when he prays to Me.”(QS. Al-Baqarah: 186)

Crying due to awareness of sin

One of the most common reasons someone cries while reading the Quran is because they are reminded of their sins. Allah’s verses are like a mirror that shows one’s true state. Hidden arrogance, negligence that Allah has concealed, hurtful words, and uncontrolled wasted time all suddenly come to mind.

However, this kind of crying is not a bad thing. In fact, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught that tears shed out of fear of Allah have a very noble status.

Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam said:

عَيْنَانِ لَا تَمَسُّهُمَا النَّارُ: عَيْنٌ بَكَى مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللهِ، وَعَيْنٌ بَاتَتْ تَحْرُسُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ

“Two eyes which will not be touched by the fire of hell: eyes that cry out of fear of Allah and eyes that watch in the way of Allah.” (HR. Tirmidhi)

Crying in fear of the Creator is a sign that the heart is still capable of feeling regret and still wants to return to Allah.

Tears from a soft heart

Not everyone is given the ability to be easily touched by the truth. Some hearts are so hard that Allah’s verses pass by without leaving a mark or a scratch. On the other hand, there are soft hearts that when even a single verse is heard, they can cry, grateful for how good Allah is in providing all the blessings, wounds, and trials that they have endured in their lives.

Allah describes the state of believers:

وَيَخِرُّوْنَ لِلْاَذْقَانِ يَبْكُوْنَ وَيَزِيْدُهُمْ خُشُوْعًا

“And they fall down on their faces weeping, and they increase in humility.” (QS. Al-Isra’: 109)

These tears arise from faith that has seeped into the heart. The more one knows Allah, the more one realizes how small one is in the face of His greatness. Tears over the Quran are nothing new for a believer. The deeper one knows their Lord, the more easily their heart trembles. Even the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) were known to cry easily when reading or listening to the Quran.

When Tears Become the Language of the Soul

There are feelings that cannot be translated by words. There are wounds that cannot be explained to humans. There are longings that cannot be expressed in words. When one reads the Quran, all these feelings sometimes melt into tears. They may contain regret, hope, or simply an expression of a servant’s longing for their Lord. Allah, who created the human heart, certainly knows the full meaning of these tears, even when the lips do not utter a single word.

From now on, if one day tears fall while reading the Quran, do not feel strange, nor do you feel ashamed. Because it could be a sign that your heart is being touched by God’s grace. It could be a gentle call to draw you closer to Him. And perhaps, among those tears, God is soothing your heart from burdens that have been unseen by anyone.

Because truly, not all eyes are capable of crying when hearing God’s verses. However, a living heart will always tremble when hearing His word. Because sometimes, a single verse read with sincerity can change the course of a person’s life forever. []

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)