Nine Great Benefits of Reading and Reflecting Over the Qur’aan

Nine Great Benefits of Reading and Reflecting Over the Qur’aan [1]

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon His last Messenger Muhammad, to proceed:

Indeed the Book of Allaah is not a book like any other, it is the timeless Speech of Allaah, not a created thing, a study guide for life and death and what comes after.  Therefore it deserves a more careful study than anyone else’s speech.  It necessitates that its reader return to the early narrations of those who witnessed its revelation and heard its explanation by the one deputed by Allaah to rehearse and explain His Words to humanity (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam).  For if one would try to ponder over the meanings of the verses without having done this study, then surely the filth of the time that he lives in and his ignorance of the correct application and understanding that the early Muslims had would cause him to understand some things not intended by Allaah Most High, and therefore he would go astray, thinking to be worshipping Allaah.

So every sincere Muslim who hopes to earn Allaah’s Love by reciting and reflecting over Allaah’s Book, then let him hold tight to the meanings explained by the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam), and those taught by the Companions and their immediate followers, and the early scholars of Islaam.

Know that reciting and pondering over the Book of Allaah, devoting your time regularly to its study and implementation has tremendous benefits in this life and the Next, so let us now look to just a few of them to attach ourselves more firmly to Allaah’s Majestic Words.  Each benefit stands as enough of an encouragement on its own for us to shun any laziness we have and dedicate ourselves to the Qur’aan properly.

1 – Reading and reflecting over the Qur’aan fulfills an Islaamic duty

Indeed the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) summarized this Religion with his statement:

“The Religion is naseehah (sincerity)!”

So then Tameem ibn Aws (may Allaah be pleased with him) then said, “We asked, ‘To whom?’” He (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) replied:

“To Allaah, HIS BOOK, His Messenger, the leaders of the people, and their common folk.” [2]

The sincerity that is due to the Book of Allaah, as Ibn Rajab Al-Hambalee said, includes having a strong love for it, honoring it and extolling its great status, affirming that it is the Speech of Allaah, seeking to understand its meanings, acting by it, following the orders found in it, spreading its correct understanding, continually studying it, and taking on the good manners that are encouraged in it. [3]

So by reading and reflecting over the Qur’aan, one fulfills an obligation and is rewarded for that. Upon fulfilling this obligation, the Qur’aan then becomes a proof for him on the Day of Judgement! And that is our second benefit we will take by embracing this Noble Book…

2 – The Qur’aan will be a proof for us on the Day of Judgement

This is due to the statement of the Messenger:

“…and the Qur’aan is a proof for you or against you…” [4]

So one of two things will occur with this proof, the Book of Allaah. It will either be in your favor, a proof for you on the Day when you will need every single good deed, or it will be something standing against you, the very Speech of your Creator, a proof against you! Who could be saved from the terrors of that Day if Allaah’s own Speech is against him?!?!

Think carefully, dear Muslim brother or sister, about your position with the Qur’aan! Are you neglecting it, contradicting it, being heedless of its orders and prohibitions, are you thinking deeply over it?! Will it be on your side on the Day of Judgement?!

O Allaah! We ask you, by Your Glorious Speech and the rest of Your beautiful Names and Attributes, to make the Qur’aan a proof for us! O Allaah! Don’t make the Qur’aan a proof against us on that Day, and save us from the hellfire!

For if Allaah makes the Qur’aan a proof in our favor on that Day, then it would also be an intercessor for us, when NO intercession will take place except by His Permission.

3 – The Qur’aan will intercede for us on the Day of Judgement

The proof: Aboo Umaamah relates that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:

“Read the Qur’aan, for verily it will come on the Day of Standing as an intercessor for its companions.” [5]

4 – Your status in this life will be raised

In Saheeh Muslim, we find a lovely story, about how a man from the promised people of Jannah, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, and his deputy over Makkah understood this.

On the authority of ‘Aamir ibn Waathilah, he said that Naafi’ ibn ‘Abdil-Haarith met up with ‘Umar (ibn Al-Khattaab) at (a place called) ‘Usfaan. ‘Umar used to put him (Naafi’) to work (to govern) over Makkah. So he (‘Umar) said, “Who have you put to work (to govern) over the people of the Valley (Makkah)?”

He (Naafi’) said, “Ibn Abzaa.”

He (‘Umar) said, “Who is Ibn Abzaa?”

He (Naafi’) said, “One of our freed slaves.”

He (‘Umar) said, “So you have put a freed slave in charge of them?”

He (Naafi’) said, “Verily he is a recitor of the Book of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and verily he is knowledgeable of the laws of inheritance.”

‘Umar said, “Verily your Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) had said:

“Verily Allaah raises some people by way of this Book and lowers others by it.” [6]

5 – You will be from the best of the people

‘Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him), the third khaleefah and fourth most virtuous person on earth after the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam), Aboo Bakr, and ‘Umar, said that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:

“The best of you are the ones who learn the Qur’aan and teach it to others” [7]

6 – There are ten rewards for each letter you recite from the Qur’aan

As an authentic hadeeth in Sunan At-Tirmithee proves:

“Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allaah, 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.” [8]

So increase your recitation of the Qur’aan to gain these merits, and to gain the following merit as well…

7 – The recitors of the Qur’aan will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels

‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), the Prophet’s beloved wife who held his head in her lap as he took his last blessed breaths, relates that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:

“Verily the one who recites the Qur’aan beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have TWICE that reward.” [9]

So do not let the Shaytaan give you false excuses, such as “I am not an ‘Arab,” or “Its not my language.” This hadeeth is a firm proof against these whisperings. Dedicate yourself to the Book of Allaah, whether you are an ‘Arab or not! The excuses have been eliminated and the pathway has been cleared for you to embrace the Book of Allaah without holding back or offering excuses!

And surely you will not hesitate to seek a teacher or a study circle for the Qur’aan once you hear the last and perhaps greatest benefits of reading and contemplating over the Qur’aan…

8 – The Qur’aan will lead you to Paradise

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said:

“The Qur’aan is an intercessor, something given permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise; Whoever puts it behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire.” [10]

9 – Your position in Paradise is determined by the amount of Qur’aan you memorize in this life

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-’Aas heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) saying:

“It will be said to the companion of the Qur’aan: Read and elevate (up through the levels of the Paradise) and beautify your voice as you used to do when you were in the dunyaa! For verily, your position inthe Paradise will be at the last verse you recite!” [11]

Know that these nine benefits, from the many benefits available, can only be attained by a sincere commitment to the Book of Allaah, not by a person’s mere statement, “I love the Qur’aan, it’s beautiful.” Rather the heart must be sincerely attached to Allaah’s Book and the limbs and tongue will follow in this attachment.

You must know that only a few of the numerous benefits of reading and reflecting over the Qur’aan have been mentioned here. There are many benefits that await your reading in the Qur’aan and books of hadeeth, like the chapter of the Qur’aan that will argue on your behalf in the grave, and that it is a physical healing, a source of rest and relaxation for your heart, among many other things.

And Allaah knows best.

FOOTNOTES

www.bakkah.net

[1] written by Abul-’Abbaas, 1421-12-20, then updated 1424-09-05

[2] Saheeh Muslim #194 (1/220 of Sharh An-Nawawee)

[3] refer to Jaami’ul-Uloom wal-Hikam, p.221 (Ar-Risaalah, 1417)

[4] part of a hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim #533 (2/97 of Sharh An-Nawawee)

[5] Saheeh Muslim #1871 (3/330 of Sharh An-Nawawee)

[6] Saheeh Muslim #1894 (3/339 of Sharh An-Nawawee)

[7] Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree #5027 (9/89-90 of Fat-hul-Baaree)

[8] Sunan At-Tirmithee #2910; Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmithee (3/164)

[9] Saheeh Muslim #1859 (3/325 of Sharh An-Nawawee); another version of this hadeeth with a slighty different wording can be found in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree #4937 (8/852 of Fat-hul-Baaree)

[10] an authentic hadeeth found in Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan #124 (1/330-331 of Tarteeb Ibn Balbaan, printed by Ar-Risaalah), on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood; Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Silsilatul-Ahaadeethis-Saheehah #2019

[11] Sunan At-Tirmithee #2914; Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmithee (3/164-165)

Bring blessings to your home with the Qur’an

Bismillaah.

It is reported that ‘Abdullâh b. Mas’ûd – Allâh be pleased with him – said:

“The house in which the Qur’ân is not recited is like a derelict house that has no one to maintain it.”

It is also reported that he said:

“Verily the emptiest of houses are those that are empty of the Book of Allâh.”

It is reported that Abû Hurayrah – Allâh be pleased with him – used to say about the house in which the Qur’ân is recited:

“It becomes spacious for its inhabitants, the good of it becomes plentiful, the angels come to it and the devils leave it. And the house in which the Qur’ân is not recited becomes cramped for its inhabitants, has little good in it, and the devils come to it.”

Ibn Abî Shaybah, Al-Musannaf articles 30645, 30647 and 30650.

—————————————————

The summer’s here, and for many us that means less hectic homes and more flexible schedules.  I think it’s a perfect time for the muslim family to incorporate some sort of qur’an routine amongst the members of the family, whether it be reading, studying tafseer or even memorizing.

Here is a list of some easy things to do inshaa Allaah (in no particular order).  Feel free to add your own ideas, since are just some things I thought of after reading the quotes above from our beloved salaf (may Allaah be pleased with them all, ameen.)

Not everyone will be able to do everything listed here, but even implementing one thing, with the sincere intention to seek Allaah’s pleasure by encouraging your family towards the good and bringing everyone closer to Allaah, can only bring barakah, bi ithnillaah.

1) Read Surat al-Kahf together on Thursday evenings after maghrib, or Friday mornings before the jumu’ah prayer.  Have each person hold their own mus’haf, and read along silently as everyone takes turns reading a page at a time.

2) Choose a surah that eveyone can memorize together, or divide family members into age/level groups, and choose a surah for each group.  Make it a competition.

3) Make a qur’an reading chart with 3o spaces or 30 boxes.  For those members who are old enough to read, let them mark the space or check the box for each juz they’ve finished reading over the course of the summer.  Promise a prize at the end of the summer for any kids who complete reading the whole qur’an.

4) Designate one night a week for a tafseer lesson; or, if your local masjid has one already, attend together as a family.  Have older children take notes, and share what they learned in the car on the way home or at whatever time is convenient for everyone.

5) Don’t forget to have everyone review what they’ve memorized already.

6) Play qur’an in the house throughout the day, particularly Surat al-Baqarah, since it keeps away the devils.

Ramadan Journal Day 9: Going Back to School

Bismillaah.

The kids are not the only ones going back to school after Eid…Mommy’s going back to school too!  (inshaa Allaah)  I took my placement test today and was elated to find that I hadn’t lost that much…I got into the last level I completed, so that wasn’t so bad.  Besides, after an almost 4 year hiatus, I could use a  good brushing up on grammar and stuff.

I”m so excited I could BURST!

I started studying Arabic at Fajr Center back in May 2004, shortly after we arrived in Egypt, studied a few levels, and then took a break to give birth.  I’ve gone back to study a couple times after that, but could never get into a consistent flow with always having a young child, and the house and  home just needing so much of my time and attention.

This year all the kids will be in school – INSHAA ALLAAH – which will make it easier not only to be in school, but to actually be able to study and excel.

Alhamdu lillaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!

I have been waiting for this time for sooooooo long.  And making lots of du’aa.  It’s been hard not being able to have what you want, when you want it, but Allaah has been merciful, enabling me to fill my time with other beneficial things in the meantime.

I absolutely love learning the Arabic language – being able to understand the Qur’an when I read it, or an islamic lecture when I listen to it is a feeling that just sends chills down my spine.  My Arabic is ‘good’, alhamdu lillaah, but I have bigger plans for the future and nothing less than complete fluency in Arabic is a must.

So inshaa Allaah classes start a little bit after Eid.  Make du’aa that I can see this dream to the end!

In other news, we went over to my sister’s house where she had the kids do the “Suhoor Menu” and “A Day of Fasting” activities from TJRamadan.  After that I went to visit a close friend who lives in the same building who had just come back from ‘umrah mashaa Allaah.

Brazened chicken, green beans, rice.

“Then after them We sent Moses with Our Signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they wrongfully rejected them. So see how was the end of the mischief-makers.

And Moses said: “O Pharaoh! I am a Messenger from the Lord of all that exists.

“Proper it is for me that I say nothing concerning Allah but the truth. Indeed I have come unto you from your Lord with a clear proof. So let the Children of Israel depart along with me.”

Pharaoh said: “If you have come with a sign, show it forth, – if you are one of those who tell the truth.”

Then Moses threw his stick and behold! it was a serpent, manifest!

And he drew out his hand, and behold! it was white (with radiance) for the beholders.

The chiefs of the people of Pharaoh said: “This is indeed a well-versed sorcerer;

“He wants to get you out of your land, so what do you advise?”

They said: “Put him and his brother off (for a time), and send callers (men) to the cities -

“That they bring up to you all well-versed sorcerers.”

And so the sorcerers came to Pharaoh. They said: “Indeed there will be a (good) reward for us if we are the victors.”

He said: “Yes, and moreover you will (in that case) be of the nearest (to me).”

“O Moses! Either you throw (first), or shall we have the (first) throw?”

He (Moses) said: “Throw you (first).” So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and struck terror into them, and they displayed a great magic.

And We inspired Moses (saying): “Throw your stick,” and behold! It swallowed up straight away all the falsehoods which they showed.

Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect.

So they were defeated there and then, and were returned disgraced.

And the sorcerers fell down prostrate.

They said: “We believe in the Lord of the all that exists.

“The Lord of Moses) and Aaron.”

Pharaoh said: “You have believed in him (Moses) before I give you permission. Surely, this is a plot which you have plotted in the city to drive out its people, but you shall come to know.

“Surely, I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, then I will crucify you all.”

They said: “Verily, we are returning to our Lord.

“And you take vengeance on us only because we believed in the Ay�t (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.) of our Lord when they reached us! Our Lord! pour out on us patience, and cause us to die as Muslims.”  (Al-A’raf : 103-126 )

Ramadan Journal Day 8: Ramadan Memory Cards

Bismillaah.

Today we made Ramadan Memory Cards, courtesy Umm Abdul-Basir’s blog.   It was really easy mashaa Allaah and the kids (and I) had lots of fun coloring all the little pictures.

The card sheets were supposed to be printed out onto card stock, but since I have no idea what that is, and most certainly don’t have any lying around here anywhere, we just printed them out onto regular printer paper, glued them to large pieces of colored construction paper, colored in the pictures, then cut them out into cards.

Oh, and by the way, here’s the chart I had Rahmah make for the qur’an reading contest:

She made a chart with 4 rows for each person in the contest.  Then she divided each row into 30 parts.  Each time a person finishes a juz’ (part) from the qur’an (there are 30 parts), he/she marks off a box.  I’ve purposely left the names out of the picture so as not to embarrass obvious slackers, lol!

Don’t forget to keep us in your du’aas.

Shakshouka (brown lentils in a savory tomato sauce) with eggs, white rice.

“And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice. None can change His Words. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.

And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path. They follow nothing but conjectures, and they do nothing but lie.

Verily, your Lord! It is He Who knows best who strays from His Way, and He knows best the rightly guided ones.”  (Al-An’am : 115-117 )

Ramadan Journal Day 5: A Small Contest

Bismillaah.

The day started with my sister and I having suhoor together.  It was a nice feeling sitting in the dark of the night chitchatting with her over a bowl of oatmeal.  Just like old times.  One thing I love about my sisters is that we can be brutally honest with one another.  Any time I’ve sought to improve myself – for the most part, -  it’s been a result of one of them telling me how much of a jerk I’ve been lately, lol!  Truly a blessing from Allaah.

We talked and talked and talked, prayed fajr then went back to sleep.  The morning came and went and she and the kids left around thuhr time.

The husband and the two oldest kids and I decided we’d make a little contest to encourage everyone to stay on top of their Qur’an reading.  So whoever completes reading the qur’an first  before the end of the month will get a monetary prize at the end of the month.  I’m really hoping it’s one of the kids…but I know my husband and I have a feeling it’ll be him.  Allaah knows best though, we’ll have to see inshaa Allaah.

Baked potato casserole in tomato sauce, rice, watercress salad

“Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.

Have you not seen those who claim sanctity for themselves. Nay – but Allah sanctifies whom He pleases, and they will not be dealt with injustice even equal to the extent of a Fatil (A scalish thread in the long slit of a date stone).

Look, how they invent a lie against Allh, and enough is that as a manifest sin.”  (Al-Nisaa’ : 48-50 )