The Noble
Qur`aan
Allah
Most High has said: "Had We sent this Qur’an down upon a mountain, you
would have seen it humbled, rent asunder from the fear of Allah…" [Surah
al-Hashr, 59:21]
I read a very interesting hadeeth from Saheeh al-Bukhari in which the noble
Sahabi Zaid bin Thabit was asked the question, "How much time was there
between the pre-dawn meal and the Dawn Prayer?" He answered, "Enough
time to recite fifty ayat." Since it was the practice of the Arabs to time
in terms of everyday actions, this hadeeth shows that the Sahabah were
pre-occupied with the Qur’an, especially in Ramadhaan.
I did a little more research on this matter and was greatly inspired – and
shamed – when I read about how the Salaf venerated the Qur’ân. They used to
recite the whole of the Qur’ân many times and when Ramadhaan came, they would
recite even more. Jibreel `alayhis salaam used to meet the Prophet every night
during Ramadhaan and study the Qur’ân with him but during his final year on the
earth, he reviewed the Qur’ân with him twice.
When Abdullaah Ibn Idrees was dying, his daughter wept and he told her: “My
daughter, do not cry, for I have recited the whole of the Qur’an (in
preparation) for this very hour four thousand times.” Imagine that… FOUR
THOUSAND TIMES! SubhanAllah…
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali in "Lata'if al-Ma'arif" gives many more examples
from a remarkable Qur`aanic generation. He said,
"...
Some of the Salaf would complete reciting the whole Qur’ân during the night
prayer of Ramadan every 3 days, others every 7 days, e.g. Qataadah; others in
10 days, e.g. Abu Rajaa' al-Atardi. The Salaf would recite Qur’ân in Ramadan in
Prayer as well as outside it. Al-Aswad would finish the Qur’ân every 2 nights
in Ramadan; Ibrahim an-Nakh'i would do likewise in the last 10 nights
specifically, and every 3 nights during the rest of the month. Qataadah would
regularly finish the Qur’an in 7 days, but in 3 days during Ramadan, when he
would study the Qur’an especially, and every night during its last 10 days.
Al-Zuhri would say when Ramadan began, 'It is recitation of the Qur’an and
feeding of people.' When Ramadan began, Imam Malik would cease narrating Hadith
and sitting with the people of knowledge, and stick to reciting the Qur’ân from
its pages, while Sufyan al-Thawri would leave other acts of worship and stick
to reciting the Qur’ân. 'Aishah would recite from the pages of the Qur’ân at
the beginning of the day in Ramadan (i.e. after Dawn), until when the sun had
risen, she would sleep. Zayd al-Yaami would bring copies of the Qur’ân when
Ramadan began and gather his companions around him..." *
The Virtues of Reading the Qur’ân
It was only when I began to study Islam in
earnest that I began to appreciate the value of the Qur’ân. I found it
difficult to master and to this day, I still cannot read it in confident and
assured tones. It used to dishearten me a great deal, but no more. It was sheer
folly that brought my practising the Qur’ân to a standstill for I was in actual
fact not just missing out but passing up on the abundant rewards that Allah has
promised.
[1] One receives hasanah for reading the Qur’an
It was reported by `Abdullaah bin Mas`ood radhiallahu `anhu that Rasulullaah
sallallahu alayhi wa sallam stated that "Whoever reads a harf [letter]
from the Book of Allah will receive a hasanah (good deed) from it (i.e. his
recitation), and the hasanah is multiplied by ten. I do not say that
Alif-Laam-Meem is (considered as) a harf, rather Alif is a harf, Laam is a
harf, and Meem is a harf." [At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darimi] Rewards? You do the
math!
Further, an authentic hadeeth states: "He who is skillful in reciting the
Qur’ân is with the unveiled, honorable, and pious (i.e. Hur al `Ain). And he
who stutters when reading the Qur’ân, (and its recitation) is difficult upon
him, will receive two rewards." [Al-Bukhari]
[2] The Qur’an will act as an intercessor for one in the hereafter.
We all want Paradise and a sure way to get
there is to give the Qur’ân its due importance. One who reads and lives by it
will be successful.
"Read the Qur’ân. For verily it will come forth on the Day of Resurrection
as an intercessor for its readers." [Muslim]
"The Qur’ân is an intercessor (which by Allah's permission) intercedes,
and an opponent (which is) truthful. He who appoints it as his leader, (then
it) will lead him to Paradise. And he who puts
it behind him, (then it) will lead him to the Fire." [Ibn Hibban,
Al-Bayhaqi, At-Tabarani, Sahih]
"Fasting and the Qur’ân will intercede for the slave on the Day of
Resurrection. Fasting will say: 'O My Rabb! I prevented him from food and
desires, so accept my intercession for him.' And the Qur’ân will say: 'I
prevented him from sleep during the night, so accept my intercession for him.'
He (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: 'And they will (be allowed to)
intercede.'" [Ahmad, at-Tabarani, Al-Hakim, Sahih]
"Indeed those who recite the Book of Allaah and offer the Prayer perfectly
and spend in charity out of what We have provided for them - secretly and
openly - hope for a sure trade-gain that will never perish. That He may pay
them their wages in full and give them even more out of His Grace. Indeed, He
is Oft-Forgiving, ready to appreciate good deeds." [Soorah Fatir 35:29-30]
[3] Reading the Qur’ân increases our faith
The Qur’ân contains a cure for the diseased and weak heart as Allah says, what
translated means, "And We sent down from the Qur’ân that which is a
healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism)." [Surah
al-Isra 17:82] If we read the Qur’ân with understanding, we will see how it
contains a wealth of information – teachings of tawheed, Allah's laws,
inspiring illustrations of the prophets `alayhimus salaam, models of the best
behaviour and examples of the fallen nations.
We are told that the pious before us would read the Qur’ân and be so moved that
they would weep heavily.
Ibn al Qayyim said in Zaad al Ma'aad: "As for the weeping of the Prophet
sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, it was in the same degree as his laughter. He
wouldn't sob loudly and raise his voice, just like his laughter wasn't loud.
However his eyes would fill up with tears, until they flowed out, and you would
hear the sound like that of a whistling kettle coming from his chest. He would
weep out of mercy for the dead, out of fear and compassion for his Ummah, out
of deep fear of Allah, upon listening to the Qur’ân. And it was a weeping of
longing, love and exaltation, accompanied by fear and khashyah."
On the authority of 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ood RadhialLahu `anhu who said: "The
Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam told me: "Recite to
me!" So I recited Surah an-Nisa' until I reached: 'How will it be then,
when We bring from each nation a witness, and bring you (O Prophet Muhammad) as
a witness against these people?' [Surah an-Nisaa 4:41] Then I looked towards
him and behold! I saw that his eyes were overflowing with tears." [al
Bukhari, Muslim and others]
The weeping of `Umar RadhialLahu `anhu could be heard from the last rows, as it
has been reported to us by `Abdullah ibn Shaddaad, who said, "I heard the
sobbing of `Umar from the last rows while he was reciting the verse from the
Qur’ân: 'I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah.'" [Surah Yusuf
12:86] [al Bukhari, al Bayhaqi (2/251), saheeh]
Understand Its Meanings
In order to truly benefit from the Qur’ân,
we should concentrate on it as if we are the ones being directly addressed.
Allah the Most High says: "Indeed in this there is a remembrance for those
who have a living heart, listen attentively and are awake to taking heed."
[Surah Qaaf 50:37]
Ibn Qutaibah said: "Listen to the book of Allah whilst your heart and mind
is attentive, not neglectful nor distant."
We should also strive to UNDERSTAND the Qur’ân. Allah the Most High says:
"This is a Book which We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that
you may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may
remember." [Surah Saad 38:29]
"Read the Qur’ân, put it into practice, do not abandon it, do not put
grudges (upon others) through it, and do not eat and gain wealth through
it." [Ahmad, At-Tabarani, Sahih]
How can we absorb and implements the teachings of this noble Book if we do not
comprehend it? We should not rush through it perfunctorily as if it were an
ordinary book. Rather, we should give it due time for serious contemplation,
seeking Allah's Pleasure. "Read the Qur’ân and through it seek the Face of
Allah, Exalted be He, before there comes a nation that implements it like an
arrow. They read it fast and they do not recite it slowly (to implement)."
[Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Hasan]
Indeed, the Sahabah radhiallahu `anhum would not go beyond ten ayat until they
had learnt them and understood the knowledge therein and how to act upon it.
We can better acquaint ourselves with the meanings of the Qur’ân by learning
the Arabic language, attending classes and study circles on the Qur’ân and its
sciences and reading the books of Tafseer, some of which are now available in
the English language.
Do not abandon the Qur’ân
The Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam described various people
according to their relationship with the Qur’ân: "The likeness of the
believer who reads the Qur’ân is like that of citron; its taste is delicious
and its scent is pleasant. And the likeness of the believer who does not read
the Qur’ân is like that of a date; its taste is delicious, yet it has no scent.
And the likeness of a hypocrite who reads the Qur’ân is like that of a basil;
its scent is pleasant, yet its taste is bitter. And the likeness of a hypocrite
that does not read the Qur’ân is like that of a colocynth; its taste is bitter
and it has no scent." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
We need to make a resolute effort to read the Qur’ân regularly. The Prophet
sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "Verily he who has nothing of the
Qur’ân in his heart, is like a house (which has been) destroyed."
[At-Tirmidhi] He also warned, "Maintain learning the Qur’ân, by heart for
verily it is greater in escaping from the chests of men than camels from their
reins." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Let us strive to read, understand and reflect upon the Qur’ân during these
blessed days and nights, insha’ Allah. May Allah guide us and may He give us
success in this world and the hereafter, Ameen.
Note:
* Al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab (rahimahullaah)
said: "The forbiddance of reciting the Qur’an in less than three days (as
stated in a hadeeth) has only been mentioned in regards to its being done on a
normal basis. As for the specific times that are virtuous, such as the month of
Ramadaan and especially the nights in which the night of Al-Qadr is sought. Or
those places that are virtuous, such as Makkah for the one who enters it
without residing there, then it is recommended to recite the Qur’an a lot in
these times and places, seeking the merits connected with their time and place.
This is the opinion of Ahmad, Abu Ishaaq and other scholars. And the actions of
others indicate that as has been stated previously."
[Lataa'if-ul-Ma'aarif]
Useful Qur’ân Resources
1. Tafseer of Ibn Kathir (abridged, in 10 volumes),
Darussalam
Publications
2. Study the Noble Quran Word-for-Word (in 3 volumes),
Darussalam
Publications
3. Interpretation of the Meanings of the Noble Qur`an, by Dr. Muhsin Khan &
Dr. Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali, Darussalam Publications
4. Imaan.Net's
Qur`an Page
5. Qur’ân Reciter
- great for the children & for memorizing, Mashaa Allah
