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