Etiquettes with respect tothe glorious Quran –I

Introduction
Allaah, the Exalted, revealed the Quran, to bea beacon of light that
cannot be extinguished. It is a methodology and way of life that is
perfect in all respects. In it is strength that cannot be equaled or
repelled. It is the foundation of Eemaan (Faith) and the spring of
knowledge. Allaah willed that the Quran be what quenches the thirst
for knowledge. It is the delight of the people of wisdom. The Quran is
the greatest curefor all ailments. It is Allaah's Rope that cannot be
severed. It is the Wise Reminder and the truly Straight Path.
It is the Speech of Allaah, the Almighty. Because of that exaltedness,
Muslim should approach to it with special manners, taking the guidance
fromthe Prophet Muhammad .
Relation between humanbeing and Quran
Allaah, the Almighty states that anyone who truly believes that there
is a life after this life also believes in this Book. Thisnegates any
claim to legitimacy by those who claim to follow a previous religion
and book but yet they reject the Quran. Allaah rejects even their
claim to belief in the hereafter, He says (what means): "And they did
not appraise Allaah with true appraisal whenthey said, "Allaah did not
reveal to a human being anything." Say, "Who revealed the Scripture
that Moses brought as light and guidance to thepeople? You [Jews] make
it into pages, disclosing [some of] it and concealing much. And you
were taught that which you knew not — neither you nor your fathers.'
Say, "Allaah [revealed it]." Then leave them in their [empty]
discourse, amusing themselves. And this is a Book which We have
sentdown, blessed and confirming what was before it, that you may warn
the Mother of Cities [i.e. Makkah] and those around it. Those who
believe in the Hereafter believe in it, and they aremaintaining their
prayers." [Quran, 6: 91-92]
In the following verses, Allaah reaffirms the relationship between
belief in the hereafter and belief in the Quran by mentioning the
punishment of those whodisbelieve in the hereafter right after
mentioning the guidanceof the Quran. Also, since this book is from our
Creator and is not the creation of any man, it contains the guidance
to all that is best and most upright.
Allaah says (what means): "Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is
most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous
deeds that theywill have a great reward And that those who do not
believe in the Hereafter — We have prepared for them a painful
punishment." [Quran, 17:9-10]
Allaah reminds us of His omnipresent knowledge and that He is fully
awareof those who do not submit to the truth of theQuran. Allaah
command to "do as you wish" is themost serious of threats and is also
a clear statement that those whochoose disbelief and are later
punished for it did so by their choice and so deserve what comes to
them. Ath-Thikr (the Reminder) here refers to the Quran.
Because it is from Allaah Most High, falsehood cannot approach it from
any direction. Any honest investigation of the Quran will find it
freefrom any contradictions and containing many miraculous statements
consistent with human knowledge which wasn't acquired until centuries
after the Quran was communicated to the Prophet - that in addition to
its comprehensive guidance to all that is best for mankind as
individuals and societies. Allaah says (what means): "Indeed, those
who inject deviation into Our verses are not concealed from Us. So, is
he who is cast into the Fire better or he who comes secure on theDay
of Resurrection? Do whatever you will; indeed, He is Seeing of what
you do. Indeed, those who disbelieve in the message [i.e. the Quran]
after it has come to them. And indeed, it is a mighty Book.
Falsehoodcannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is]
a revelation froma [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy." [Quran, 41:
40-42]
There is no better occupation or use of yourtime than learning and/or
teaching the Quran. This includes mere recitation as well asits
meanings, rulings and application. The best of this nation are those
wholearn the Quran and those who teach the Quran.
It is narrated from 'Uthmaan that the Prophet said: "The bestof you is
the one who learns the Quran and teaches it." ) Al-Bukhaari)
In other narrations the Prophet said: "It will be said to the person
who memorizes the Quran, "Read and ascend and recite as you used to
recite in the worldly life, for your level is at the lastverse which
you read." (At-Tirmithi)
He also said: "A sign of glorifying Allaah [by individuals] is [their]
honoring the Muslim elder, the bearer of the Quran (the person who
memorizes it), who is neither extravagant nor negligent towards it and
honoring of the just ruler. " (Abu Daawood)
Etiquette of Reciting the Quran
It is befitting for one reciting the Quran that he/she be in a state
of ritual purification and approach Allaah's Book with the best of
manners,humility and respect. He should be sitting up and not leaning
nor sitting in any disrespectful and arrogant manner. The best
recitation of all is that done in prayer and the best of that is in
the mosque, but this does not suggest that one neglects it when at
home.
As for the quantity of reading, there are narrations from the
Companions regardingcompleting the entire Quran every three days,
every week or every month. Once every month is the recommendation of
the Prophet one week is his recommended minimum for those who desire
to do more and less than three days should not be attempted since it
will compromise comprehension which is the point of reading the Quran.
It is narrated from 'Abdullaah Ibn 'Amr :"The Prophet said to me:
"Read the [entire] Quran each month." I said: I have more strength
than that. He said: "Then read it every twenty days." I said: I have
more strength than that. He said: "Then read it every seven days and
do not exceed that." (Muslim)
You should not attempt to complete the Quran in less than three days.
The Prophet stated that one who does this has nocomprehension.
'Abdullaah Ibn 'Amr narrated that the Prophet said: "Whoever reads the
Quran in less than three [days] will not comprehend it." (Abu Daawood)
The simplest formula is that you should seek to maximize your
recitation and study of Allaah's Book the most you can without
impeding your necessary business and work, without harming your health
and without compromising your ability to recite the sounds correctly
(from reading too fast) or pondering their meanings. This last
statement implies that if you do not know the meanings of the Quran,
that it would be best to divide your time between reciting the Quran
and learning Arabic and the meanings of the Quran in order to arrive
at the desired result. Ibn 'Abbaas is reported to have said:"To read
Al-Baqarah and Aal 'Imraan with correct recitation and careful
contemplation is more beloved to me than to read the entire Quran a
hasty recitation."
If you find yourself with time on your hands, do not pass up this
opportunity for reward and benefit and spend much of it reciting the
Quran. Strive to not let your recitation become less than one
complete reading each year - and add another in Ramadhaan if you are
able.