something that will draw one close to Allaah, Most High. This
reflection is not a reckless and wandering one, rather, it includes a
study of the classical Tafseer (exegesis) of the verses being pondered
over. Allaah, Most High, Says in the Quran (what means): " Then do
they notreflect upon the Quran? If it had been from [any] other than
Allaah, they would have found within it much contradiction. " [Quran:
4:82]
The Book of Allaah is unlike any other; it is the timeless Speech of
Allaah, and not a created thing. Itis the study guide for life, death,
and what follows. Therefore, it deserves a far 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, Muhammad . For if one wouldtry 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 wouldcause
him to understand some things not intended by Allaah, Most High, and
therefore he would go astray, thinking to be worshipping Allaah. So,
let every sincere Muslim who hopes to earn Allaah's Love by reciting
and reflecting over Allaah's Book holdtight to the meanings explained
by the Prophet and those taught by the Companions and their immediate
followers, and the early scholars of Islam.
Dear Muslim brother and sister! Know that reciting and pondering over
the Book of Allaah and devoting regular time to its study and
implementation has tremendous benefits in this life and the next. Let
us now lookat just a few of them to attach ourselves more firmly to
the majestic Words of Allaah. Each benefit stands as enough of an
encouragement to shun any laziness we have and dedicate ourselves
wholly to the Quran.
Reading and Reflecting Over the Quran Fulfils an Islamic Duty
The Prophet summarised this religion with his statement: " Thereligion
(of Islaam) is naseehah (offering sincere advice)! " Tameem bin Aws
said: " We asked, 'To whom?' " He replied: " To Allaah, His Book, His
Messenger, the leaders of the people, and to their subjects. "
[Muslim] The sincerity that is due to the Book of Allaah includes its
regular recitation, learning the rules of Tajweed (the recitation of
the Quran, according to specified rules) and reciting it beautifully,
learning about its Tafseer and the reasons for its revelation,
affirming that it is the truth, the perfect Speech of Allaah and not
part of the creation, honouring it and defending it, abiding by the
orders and prohibitions found in it, and teaching it and calling to
it.
The Quran will be a Proof for or against Us on the Day of Judgement
This is due to the statement of the Messenger : " And the Quran is a
proof for you or against you. " [Muslim] So, one of two things will
occur with this proof, the Book of Allaah. It will either be in one's
favour, a proof for us on the Day when we will desperately need every
single good deed, or it will be something standing against us. The
very Speech of our Creator as a proof against us! Who could be saved
from the terrors of that Day if Allaah's own Speech is against Him?
Think carefully, dear Muslim brothers and sisters, about your position
with the Quran. Are you neglecting it, contradicting it, and being
heedless of its orders and prohibitions? Are you thinking deeply over
it? Will it be on your side on the Day of Judgement?
The Quran will Intercede for Us on the Day of Judgement
Abu Umaamah related that the Prophet said: " Read the Quran, for
indeed it will come on the Day of Standing (Judgement) as an
intercessor for its companions. " [Muslim]
The Quran Raises One's Status in this Life
In Saheeh Muslim, which is one ofthe two most authentic books of
prophetic narrations, we find a wonderful story about how a man from
the people of Paradise,'Umar bin Al-Khattaab understood this
principle. The story is that once, some men came to question him
during his reign as caliph regarding the leadership of Makkah. The men
asked: " Who do you use to govern Makkah? " He said: " Ibn Abzaa. "
They asked: " And who is Ibn Abzaa? " 'Umar replied: " A freed slave
from thosewe freed. " They remarked: " You left a freed slave in
command of the People of the Valley (the noble tribes of the Quraysh)?
" He replied: " Indeed he is a reciter of the Book of Allaah and is
knowledgeable about the obligations of the Muslims. Haven't you heard
the statement of your Messenger : "Verily Allaah raises some people by
this Book and lowers others by it" "?
The People of the Quran are from Best of People
'Uthmaan said that the Prophet said: " The best of you are those who
learn the Quran and teach it to others. " [Al-Bukhaari]
There are Ten Rewards for Every Letter Recited from the Quran
As a Hadeeth (prophetic statement) in At-Tirmithi proves: " Whoever
reads a letter from theBook of Allaah, he will have a reward, and this
reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not sayingthat 'Alif, Laam,
Meem' (a combination of letters frequently mentioned in the Holy
Quran) is a letter, rather I am saying that 'Alif' is a letter, 'Laam'
is a letter and 'Meem' is a letter. " [At-Tirmithi] So increase your
recitation of the Quran to gain these merits, as well as the following
ones.
The Reciters of the Quran Will Be in the Company of the Noble and
Obedient Angels
'Aa'ishah related that the Prophet said: " Indeed the one who recites
the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, will be in the company
of the noble and obedient angels.As for the one who recites with
difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will
have twice that reward. " [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
So dear brother or sister Muslim, do not let the Shaytaan (Satan) give
you false excuses, such as 'I am not an Arab.' or 'It is not in 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! Surely you will not hesitate to seek a teacher or a study
circle for the Quran once you hear the last and perhaps greatest
benefits of reading and contemplating over the Quran.
One's Position and Rank in Paradise is Determined by the Amount of
Quran He Memorised in this Life
'Abdullaah bin 'Amr bin Al-'Aas heard the Prophet saying:"It will be
said to the companion of the Quran: 'Read and elevate (through the
levels of Paradise) and beautify your voice as you didwhen you were in
the worldly life! For verily, your position in Paradise will be at the
last verse you recite!'" [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi]
The Quran Leads to Paradise
The Quran states (what means): " Indeed the Quran guides to that which
is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers whodo
righteous deeds that they will have a great reward. " [Quran: 17:9]
The Prophet said: " The Quran is an intercessor - something given
permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever
puts it in front of him, itwill lead him to Paradise; whoever puts it
behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire. " [At-Tabaraani]
Know, dear brothers and sisters, that these nine benefits from the
numerous benefits available can only be attained by a sincere
commitment to the Book of Allaah, and not simply by an empty claim of
love for it. Rather,the heart must be sincerely attached to the Book
of Allaah and the limbs and tongue will follow suit in this
attachment. One must know that we only mentioned a few of the numerous
benefits of reading and reflecting over the Quran. There are many
other benefits that await your reading of the Quran and books of
Hadeeth, such as the chapter of the Quran that will plead on your
behalf in the grave, and that it is a physicalhealing, a source of
rest and relaxation for your heart, among many other things.
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