1023/1 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “No people gather in one of the houses of Allah to recite the Book of Allah and study it together except that tranquility descends upon them, mercy engulfs them, angels surround them, and Allah mentions them among those who are with Him.” [Narrated by Muslim]
1) It shows the merit of gathering to recite the noble Qur’an, which yields great virtues, the greatest of which is that Allah Almighty mentions those who gather to recite among the highest company.
2) Studying the Qur’an includes studying its words and meanings. That was the approach of the Companions and righteous people in this Ummah. They would recite ten verses and not pass them until they have learned them and acted upon their content. So, they gained knowledge and applied it.
3) One of the greatest favors Allah Almighty bestows upon a servant is to send down tranquility upon his heart. Thus, he becomes free from worries and doubts and feels content with the decree of his Lord; if good things happen to him, he shows gratitude, and if bad things befall him, he displays patience. Such situation only exists in the case of a person whose faith in the oneness of Allah is sincere and sound.
His statement “in one of the houses of Allah” is meant to show the merit of such a place, for mosques are the noblest places for studying the Qur’an. But the said reward and virtue include places other than mosques. If some people gather in a house, an institute, or a school to learn the Qur’an, they will get the reward. Another authentic version of the Hadīth says: “No people sit to remember Allah Almighty except that angels surround them, mercy engulfs them, tranquility descends upon them, and Allah mentions them among those who are with Him.” [Narrated by Muslim] This version is general; it does not restrict the place where they gather to mosques.