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.”
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).”
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.”
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.”
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
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