3. Reciting & Teaching the Qur'aan Majeed
1. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "The best of you are those who learn the Qur'aan and teach it." (Bukhaari)
2. "Why do you not go to the Musjid and learn to recite two aayaat of the Qur'aan, for this is better for you than two camels; three aayaat are better than three camels, four aayaat are better than four camels, and so on." (Muslim)
Camels (and all vehicles of transport) are of use in only this world while the Qur'aanic aayaat are of use in both worlds. Here camels have been mentioned by way of example because of their great value and utility to the Arabs. This is merely an illustration. Otherwise, in actual fact, the entire universe has no comparison to even a single aayat of the Qur'aan Majeed. (Mirqaat)
Another fact which emerges from this hadith is the great thawaabin learning even a part of the Qur'aan Majeed. Even a portion of the Qur'a; Majeed acquired is indeed a great and wonderfu] ni'mat bestowed by Allah Ta'ala.
3. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "He who recites the Qur'aan well and clearly is equal in rank to the Angels who record creation's deeds. These Angels are gracious, honourable and of lofty rank. He who finds difficulty in reciting the Qur'aan will obtain double reward.” (Bukhaari and Muslim)
A double reward means: One reward for reciting and another reward for the added effort. This hadith exhorts the one who recites with difficulty to continue reciting and not give up reciting thinking that poor recital is futile. On the contrary, such recitation is highly meritorious, hence double the reward.
Rasullullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "A person who recite one 'harf' (letter) of the Qur'aan, obtains one virtue; each virtue multiplies to ten virtues. I am not saying that (ALM) is one harl But, Alif in it is one harf; the Laam in it is one harf and the Meem in it is one harf. (Tirmithi and Daarami)
One example, viz., (ALM) has been given. Similarly, when the reciter says, (ALHAMD), he obtains fifty virtues. Allahu Akbar! What tremendous significance and reward! It is, therefore, most deplorable if one, because of neglect fails to take advantage of this great offer by not acquiring the wealth of the Qur'aan.
5. "A person whose breast is devoid of the Qur'aan (i.e. he has not learnt anything of the Qur'aan Majeed) is like a desolate house." (Tirmithi)
6. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: ”On the Day of Qiyaamah a crown of such brilliance will be placed on the heads of the parents of one who learnt the Qur'aan and practiced on its laws, that its glitter will outshine the brilliance of the sun which penetrates your houses. What then do you think will be the position of the one who himself learnt the Qur'aan and acted in accordance with it?” (Ahmad and Abu Dawood)
This hadith mentions the great significance of teaching the Qur'aan Majeed to children. It is incumbent, therefore, upon Muslims to ensure that their children learn to recite the Qur'aan Majeed. If for some reason they cannot or do not gain the opportunity of committing the Qur'aan Majeed to memory (Hifz) then at least they should learn it by reciting from the text (Naatharah). However, wherever the opportunity exists for imparting Hifz to the children, advantage should be taken to acquire this great wealth. Indeed it is a wonderful bounty. If for some reason the child does not have the time for learning the whole Qur'aan, then even a portion should be taught to him/her. This hadith exhorts even the acquisition of a portion of the Qur'aan Majeed.
7. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "He who recites the Qur'aan, memorises it, accepts its halaal (lawful things) as halaal and haraam (forbidden things) as haraarn (i.e. his beliefs in these matters are correct), Allah Ta'ala will enter him into Jannat and accept his intercession on behalf of ten such persons of his family upon whom entry into Jahannum has become incumbent (i.e. Allah Ta'ala will forgive them because of his intercession)." (Ahmad, Tirmithi, Ibn Majah, Daarami)
The significance of committing the Qur'aan Majeed to memory mentioned in this hadith is far greater than that mentioned in the earlier hadith. Amog one's family members, the closest to one are one's parents. Hence, in terms of the assurance of intercession stated in the hadith the Hafiz's intercession for his parents is a certainty. Parents should now realise the tremendous importance and advantage of making their children Huffaaz of the Qur'aan Majeed.
8. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Hearts (of people) also corrode like steel rusts when exposed to moisture." Someone asked: '0 Rasulullah! (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) What is its polish?' Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied: 'Remembering Maut in abundance and recitation of the Qur'aan." (Baihaqi - Shu'bul Imaan)
9. Hadhrat Jaabir (radhiyallahu anhu) said; "Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) once came to us while we were engaged in reciting the Qur'aan. Among us were some village-folk and non-Arabs (i.e. some people who were not able to recite the Qur'aan properly). Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: 'Continue reciting. All are reciting well.' " (Abu Dawood, Baihaqi)
From this it will be realised that even if one lacks the ability to recite superbly, one should continue reciting so that the heart becomes adorned. Those who have the ability to recite superbly should not be scornful of those who lack the ability. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) encouraged all to recite the Qur'aan Majeed even if the recitation is not up to the correct standard.
10. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "He who listens to even a single aayat (being recited by another) obtains such a virtue which perpetually multiplies (it increases in thawaab continuously). The one who recited the aayat will on the Day of Qiyaamah find the recited aayat in the form of a Noor (which will be of greater value and significance than the virtue which accrued to the one who had listened to the recitation)." (Ahmad)
If one is unable to recite, one should always listen to the recital of others. Such listening is rewarded with considerable thawaab. There is absolutely no difficulty involved in the obtainal of such great thawaab by such a simple method.
11. Rasulullah (sallahu alayh wasal1am) said: "Continue reciting the Qur'aan because on the Day of Qiyaamah it will appear as an intercessor for the reciter." (Muslim)
The intercession of the Qur'aan will result in the reciter being pardoned.
12. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “On the Day of Qiyaamah the Qur'aan will petition Allah to cloak the one who had recited it with garments of honour and respect. A crown of honour will then be placed on the head of the reciter. The Qur'aan will then petition Allah Ta'ala to shower His pleasure on the reciter. Allah will then become pleased with him. The reciter will then be asked to recite the Qur'aan, thereby attaining higher ranks of elevation. In reward for each aayat a virtue will accrue to him.” (Tirmithi and Ibn Khuzairnah)
Another hadith as well describes the elevation of ranks by means of reciting the Qur'aan in the Hereafter. The hadith states:
“Continue climbing (higher and higher in rank) with your recitation in the same way as you recited with care and concern on earth. Your abode (of residing) is located (at that rank attained) with the last aayat recited.” (Tirmithi, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibbaan)
One should now reflect and take advantage of this great treasure in store in the Aakhirah, by striving in the recitation of the Qur'aan. Effort should be made to secure this wonderful wealth for one's offspring. If one experiences difficulty in memorising or in reciting, one should never lose hope and give up the recitation. Even reciting in such circumstances is highly meritorious as has been explained earlier. If unable to commit the Qur'aan to memory, then merely recite it (by way of Naatharah i.e. looking inside and reading). Impart this recitation to others as well. The significance and thawaab are indeed great.
The acquisition of the ways and means of a practice or act which is incumbent and rewardable is also incumbent and rewardable. Like it is essential to render the act or practice so too is it essential to acquire its ways and means. This is a simple and self-evident fact. It is therefore incumbent to make the necessary arrangements for learning and teaching the Qur'aan Majeed. The ways and means of rendering this duty is to establish a maktab (or madrasah) in your locality so that children can be taught to recite the Qur'aan Majeed. Adults too should devote some time towards this acquisition. If a free instructor or teacher is not available, the community should engage a salaried teacher.
Boys who have acquired the knowledge of reciting at the madressah should teach it to the females at home. In this way all males and females will be able to recite the Qur'aan Majeed. If anyone is unable to recite the Qur'aan, he/she should at least memorise a few Surahs.
Besides the above, there are some other Huqooq (rights and demands) of the Qur'aan Majeed. These are:
a. Once the Qur'aan Majeed has been learnt it should never be forgotten. Whatever part/s have been learnt should always be remembered.
b. A person who wishes to learn the translation of the Qur'aan Majeed should not undertake the task by means of self-study. In self- study of the Qur'aan's translation is the grave danger of misunderstanding. It's translation should be studied under the guidance of an Aalim.
c. The Qur'aan Majeed demands the utmost respect and reverence. Never stretch the legs in its direction nor turn your back to it. Do not sit higher than the Qur'aan Majeed and do not place it on the ground.
Place it on a desk or pillow or any high place.
d..Torn, tattered and unusable pages and copies of the Qur'aan Majeed should be wrapped in a clean cloth and buried in such a spot which will not be trampled underfoot.
e. When reciting the Qur'aan Majeed contemplate that you are conversing with Allah Ta'ala. The spiritual light with which the heart will then become imbued will be vividly perceived.
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