Is this Hadith authentic?
“Whosoever habitually recites the Quran while looking inside, Allah Ta’ala will allow him to enjoy his eyesight for as long as he remains in this world” [i.e. He will never become blind]
Answer
Hafiz Abul Fadl ‘Abdur Rahman Ar Razi (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma).
(Kitabu Fadailil Quran Wa Tilawatihi, Hadith: 114)
However, this narration has been transmitted through an extremely weak chain.
(Refer: Tahdhibul Kamal, vol. 27 pg. 567-571, Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 4 pg. 329, number: 8035. Also see Kitabul Majruhin of Imam Ibn Hibban, vol. 2 pg. 330)
Although this narration is extremely weak, there are other narrations which encourage reciting the Quran while looking into a Mushaf. See here
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar, with the following note:
As far as Quran being a means of protecting one’s faculties and more specifically one’s eyesight, this has also been mentioned as the experience of people. My esteemed Teacher, Shaykh ‘Awwamah (hafizahullah) mentioned to me a personal example of this several years ago.
The Quran as such, is a cure for all ailments too. One who recites it with the intention of maintaining his/her eyesight, can indeed expect the desired results.
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar