Sunday 28 July 2013

Reciting the Qur`aan Sharief


Bi Ismihi Ta’ala


By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)


Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu) has commanded us, in various Ayaat (verses) of the Qur`aan Sharief, to recite the Qur`aan Sharief.

Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu) commands Nabi (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam):


"Recite, [O Muhammad (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam)], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer..."
[Surah Ankabook 29 : 45]

Tilawat (Recitation) should thus form part of our daily routine.

When so many worldly and even useless activities are incorporated into our 24 hours, how much more time should then be spent for our Deen, for increasing and improving in our relationship with Allah Ta’ala, and accumulating the provisions for the journey to the Aakhirah (Hereafter). We acquire material commodities of the world, which we will have to leave behind when we die – but we are negligent in acquiring what we need to take with us when we die – and that is, good deeds.

When we make time to read newspapers, to listen to radio programmes, and even waste time on social networks, or in following cricket, soccer and other sports commentaries, this proves we have the time and we can make the time for the Qur`aan Sharief. 

Hadhrat Ali (RA) mentioned that for every letter recited there are a hundred blessings for the one who reads the Qur`aan while standing in Salaah, fifty blessings for one who reads while sitting in Salaah, twenty five blessings for one who reads in the state of Wudhu outside Salaah, ten blessings for one who reads without Wudhu, and one blessing for him who does not read himself but listens eagerly to the reader.

Being neglectful of Tilawat will only be to our loss. Our disinterest in Qur`aan Shareef is only cutting ourselves off from millions and billions of blessings - in our lives and homes and wealth.

As one of our Akaabireen have said: ‘If a dirham is lost, you will find a man lamenting for the whole day: ‘My dirham is gone. My dirham is gone’ – but when he wastes hours of his life, he does not say: ‘My life is gone!’ – This is our likeness. If there is worldly loss, our grief exhausts us – but if there is spiritual loss, there is no realization also of the greatness of that loss, let alone any grief experienced. …Allah Ta’ala have mercy upon us.

In respect to Tilawat, we should have five intentions:

1.
       
We are carrying out an Ibaadah (worship), for Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu) and 
to earn the pleasure of Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu)


2.
       
We are seeking the magnificent thawaab (rewards) promised by 
Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu)


Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.” [1]


3.
       
We are reciting the Qur`aan Sharief to gain Hidayah (guidance) – for there is no greater form of Hidayah than the Qur`aan Sharief


Allah Ta’ala states:


“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah…”
[Surah Baqarah 2 : 2]



“Indeed, this Qur'an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds, that they will have a great reward.”
[Surah Isra 17 : 9]


“These are verses of the wise Book, as guidance and mercy for the doers of good…”


4.       

We are seeking to gain closeness to Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu)

There is no greater form of gaining closeness to Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu) than the Quraan Sharief.

Hazrat Abu Zarr (RA) reported that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: “You cannot turn to Allah and gain nearness to Him with anything superior to that which directly proceeded from Him (i.e. the Qur`aan Sharief).”[2]

Allah Ta’ala describes the Qur`aan Sharief as the rope of Allah (Jalla Jalaaluhu) in this world :


“And hold fast, all together, by the Rope which Allah
(stretches out for you)…”
[Surah Aal-Imraan 3 : 103]


It is a rope that will never break, which is held by the One Who is All-Mighty and All-Powerful – Whose hold is firm and secure.

It is for us to just hold on firmly to the other end if we want salvation – that is, we live our lives in conformity to the Commandments of Allah Ta’ala as is outlined in the Qur`aan Sharief.

The Hafiz should have the fifth intention:
5.       

To maintain his dor and strengthen his Qur’aan Sharief

A Hafiz should realize the great trust and bounty that he has within his heart; the true appreciation will be evident in the Hafiz giving time day and night for Tilawat and Dor.

Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) had stated that it is the right of the Qur`aan Sharief that it must be read at least twice a year.

One should endeavour to read it at least once in Ramadaan and once in the balance of the year. If a person reads 3 or 4 pages a day, he can finish one Khatam. Females should double the amount to cover up for the days when they cannot read.

There should be a concerted effort – even if it is slow and gradual – in developing a strong connection and deep love and sincere appreciation for the Kalaam (Speech) of Allah Ta’ala.

If a person struggles with his recitation, but still perseveres, his reward is doubled – due to his sincerity in the extra effort he makes.

Hadhrat Ayesha (RA) related that Rasulullah (SallAllaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:
“One who is well versed in the Qur`aan will be in the company of those angels who are scribes, noble and righteous. And one who falters in reading the Qur`aan, and has to exert hard for learning, gets double the reward.”[3]

Besides the innumerable benefits in this worldly life, greater goodness lies in store for the reciter when he leaves this world and when he reaches the Day of Qiyaamah.

Sheikhul Hadeeth, Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (RA) relates in his Fazaa`il-e-Qur`aan, a narration, wherein it is mentioned that the person who is regular with Tilawat will have this recitation take the form of an extremely handsome man in his Qabr, who will remain with him through the questioning by Munkar and Nakeer, who will reassure and comfort him, and who will thereafter arrange his bedding from Jannah for him.

Hadhrat Abu Umaamah related that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said:
"Read the Qur'an, for verily it will come on the Day of Standing (Qiyaamah) as an intercessor for its companions.”[4]

If a person keeps the Qur`aan Sharief before him, by reading it and by practising upon its teachings, the Qur`aan Sharief will lead him into Jannah, Insha-Allah.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us all deep love and attachment to the Qur`aan Shareef, that we recite it day and night, for His Pleasure. Aameen


________________ 

[1] Tirmizi
[2] Abu Dawood
[3] Al-Bukhari and Muslim
[4] Saheeh Muslim



Wednesday 24 July 2013

Presription 6 | Comprehensive Masnoon Dua



Bismihi Ta'ala

SIXTH VALUABLE PRESCRIPTION

Hadhrat Abu Umaamah (RA) once mentioned to Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) that he (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) had taught them so many valuable and necessary Duas, but he (Abu Umaamah (RA)) did not remember all of them.

Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: “Should I not show you such a comprehensive Dua which includes all these Duas? Say:”





Allahu Akbar, imagine:  The Duas of 23 years of Nubuwwat, the Duas of Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) during Tahajjud, the Duas of the night of Badr, the Duas of Arafaat, the Duas made during the 13 years in Makkah Sharief and the Duas made during the 10 years in Madina Sharief. Such beautiful Duas were never made on the earth; such Duas were never made by anyone else. All those noble Duas of Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) are combined in one, for each of us to get the benefits of every single Dua of our Beloved Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam).



Taken from "Seven Valuable Prescriptions"
By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)




Saturday 20 July 2013

Prescription 5 | Concerns for Dien, life, family & wealth


Bismihi Ta'ala

FIFTH VALUABLE PRESCRIPTION


Hazrat Ma’qal bin Yasaar (RA) once came to Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) and expressed his concerns and fears in regards to his Dien, life, children, wife and wealth. 

Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) taught him the following Dua:

(to be read 3 times after Fajr and 3 times after Maghrieb)



Bismillaahi ala Dienie wa nafsie wa waladie wa ahlie wa maalie.

Translation: May the Blessings of Allah be on my religion, myself, 
my offspring, my family and my wealth.


After a few days he met Nabi (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) again who asked him how his condition was. He replied that Allah Ta’ala had removed his fears.

[Kanzul Ummaal]


Taken from Seven Valuable Prescriptions
By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)



Monday 15 July 2013

Prescription 4 | Protection from 4 ailments



Bismihi Ta'ala

FOURTH VALUABLE PRESCRIPTION

It is narrated that a person who recites 3 times, after Fajr and after Maghrieb:



(Subhaanallaahil Aziem wa bi Hamdihi
 wala haula wa laa Quwwata illaa Billah)

Translation: Pure and Sublime is Allah, The Mighty. And Praise belongs only to Him.
There is no power (to save a person from sins) nor strength (to accomplish good)
 but with the Help of Allah.


He will be protected from  4 deadly diseases :

- insanity
- becoming blind
- leprosy
- paralysis. 
[Tabrani & Ahmed]



Taken from Seven Valuable Prescriptions
By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)



Wednesday 10 July 2013

Prescription 3 | Protection from all harm


Bismihi Ta'ala

Third Valuable Prescription





Hazrat Abdullah bin Khubaib (RA) narrated that a person who recites the 3 Quls i.e. the last 3 Surahs of the Qur’aan Sharief with Bismillah (in full), with every Surah (i.e. 9 Bismillahs), Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu will suffice/protect him from everything.

The Commentators of Hadeeth explain:

1.)   This recitation will suffice him from all his Wazeefas (readings) - i.e. if, due to illness, travelling, etc. a person cannot read all of his normal Wazeefas, this will be sufficient for him for that day. He should never miss this Wazeefa.

2.)   It will protect him from all evil.

Our Sheikh, Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) would say that people commonly complain about serious health problems and sicknesses, of motor car accidents, hijackings, robberies, of Jinn, Sihr, etc. A person will be protected from these kinds of harm, as well as all evil, for it suffices as a protection from everything.

(Mishkaat P188)


Taken from Seven Valuable Prescriptions
By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)



Sunday 7 July 2013

Prescription 2 | Dua of 70 000 Angels



Bismihi Ta'ala

SECOND VALUABLE PRESCRIPTION 

Hazrat Ma’qal bin Yasaar (RA) narrated that a person who recites 3 times
after Fajr and after Maghrib:


 And thereafter the last 3 Ayaat of Suratul Hashr in the 28th Juz (ONCE)



Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu appoints 70 000 angels, who make Dua for him continuously, 
from after Fajr until Maghrib.


When he reads its again after Maghrib, another 70 000 angels  make Dua for him, 
from after Maghrib until Fajr.


And, if he happens to die in that day or night having read this, he dies as a Shahied.

[Mishkaat Page 188]


Our Sheikh, Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) had mentioned about a great Aalim who said that he does not start his day’s work, or have his breakfast until he first reads this and has 70 000 angels on duty (i.e. they start making Dua for him).


Taken from Seven Valuable Prescriptions
By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)



Thursday 4 July 2013

Prescription 1 | Protection from all worries


Bismihi Ta'ala

FIRST VALUABLE PRESCRIPTION


Hadhrat Abu Darda (RA) narrated that a person who recites 
7 times after Fajr and after Maghrib
the last part of the last Ayah of Surah Taubah, in the eleventh Juz, 
Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu will suffice (protect) him from 
all the worries of dunya and Aakhirah. 

(Ruhul Ma’ani pg 53)





No matter what worry, anxiety, depression or pressure may be upon the person, and of whatever magnitude, Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu will protect him from it.

Our Sheikh, Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakim Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) would say that when the Swiss can manufacture a watch that is waterproof, even under 200 meters of water, such that even the vapour of the water does not enter it, what  is it difficult for Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu to make a heart that is ‘worry-proof’, even though the person is surrounded by worries. Allah Jalla Jalaaluhu’s protection extends such that even the vapour of worry will not enter it.




Taken from Seven Valuable Prescriptions
By Hadhrat Moulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum)