Surah al-Jumu'ah (62):5,
"The similitude of those entrusted
with Tawrah, but who subsequently failed is that of a donkey, which carries a
load of books."
Imaam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullah) writes in the Tafseer of this verse, "In this verse, Allah, the Exalted, admonishes the Jews who were entrusted with the Divine Book of Allah, Tawrah and were ordered to abide by it. However, they did not abide by it, and this is why Allah resembled them to the donkey that carries volumes of books. Surely, when the donkey carries books, it will not understand what these books contain because it is only carrying these books using its strength. This is the example of those who were entrusted with Tawrah, they read its letter but did not understand it's meaning, nor abided by them. Rather, they even corrupted and changed the Tawrah - Therefore, there situation is worse than the donkey, because the donkey is not blessed with understanding, while they had been given the power to understand but they did not use it. This is why Allah says about them in another verse, "They are like cattle, nay even more astray, for they are heedless (of the warnings)." [al-A'raf (7):179]
Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) writes in the Tafseer of this verse (Surah al-Jumu'ah (62):5), "Allah compares the one who carries His Book, that he may believe in it, act upon it and call (the people) to it, but who then fails to do so, neglecting to 'bear' it except in a literal sense, (meaning) reciting it, without putting it into practice and without understanding, without obeying it, without judging in accordance with it and without fulfilling its commands - to a donkey who carries a load of books or scriptures, without knowing what is in them. So the benefit, which he receives from them, is that he carries them on his back - no more! And this similitude, though it may have been revealed concerning the Jews, is equally applicable to anyone who 'bears' the Qur'aan and neglects to act upon it, does not fulfill the obligation towards it and does not take care of it."
Imaam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullah) writes in the Tafseer of this verse, "In this verse, Allah, the Exalted, admonishes the Jews who were entrusted with the Divine Book of Allah, Tawrah and were ordered to abide by it. However, they did not abide by it, and this is why Allah resembled them to the donkey that carries volumes of books. Surely, when the donkey carries books, it will not understand what these books contain because it is only carrying these books using its strength. This is the example of those who were entrusted with Tawrah, they read its letter but did not understand it's meaning, nor abided by them. Rather, they even corrupted and changed the Tawrah - Therefore, there situation is worse than the donkey, because the donkey is not blessed with understanding, while they had been given the power to understand but they did not use it. This is why Allah says about them in another verse, "They are like cattle, nay even more astray, for they are heedless (of the warnings)." [al-A'raf (7):179]
Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) writes in the Tafseer of this verse (Surah al-Jumu'ah (62):5), "Allah compares the one who carries His Book, that he may believe in it, act upon it and call (the people) to it, but who then fails to do so, neglecting to 'bear' it except in a literal sense, (meaning) reciting it, without putting it into practice and without understanding, without obeying it, without judging in accordance with it and without fulfilling its commands - to a donkey who carries a load of books or scriptures, without knowing what is in them. So the benefit, which he receives from them, is that he carries them on his back - no more! And this similitude, though it may have been revealed concerning the Jews, is equally applicable to anyone who 'bears' the Qur'aan and neglects to act upon it, does not fulfill the obligation towards it and does not take care of it."
Allah's Messenger (saws) said: "The Qur'aan is proof on your behalf or against you."
[Saheeh Muslim (432)]
This Hadeeth divides the reciters of the Qur'aan into two categories, first, those who recite the Qur'aan and it becomes a proof for them on the Day of Judgment. This is for him, who acts by the orders of the Qur'aan and stays away from that which the Qur'aan forbids. He judges by it and is pleased with its laws and regulations. He contemplates its meaning and acts in accordance with it. Allah says: "This is a Book, We have sent down to you full of blessing, so that they may ponder over its verses and so that the people of reflection take heed." [Sad (38):29]
Second Category is of such people who recite the Qur'aan, but it becomes a proof against them on the Day of Judgment. This refers to those who neither act in accordance to the orders of the Qur'aan, nor refrain from what it forbids. This is a warning to those people who have merely memorized the Arabic text of the Qur'aan without understanding or putting into practice its commandments, whilst believing that reciting the Qur'aan will earn reward for them and cancel their evil deeds!
Allah's Messenger (saws) is authentically reported to have mentioned numerous blessings and rewards for the reciters of the Qur'aan, some among them are, "Whoever reads a single letter from Allah's Book will receive a blessing, and each blessing is worth ten times its value." [at-Tirmidhee, Authenticate by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhee vol: 3, no: 2327]
Abu Usamah (ra) also quoted Allah's Messenger (saws) saying: "Recite Qur'aan, for verily it will interceded for its companion (who recites it often) on the Day of Resurrection." [Saheeh Muslim (no: 1757)]
But, when Allah's Messenger (saws) mentioned these virtues of reciting the Qur'aan, he (saws) was addressing the Sahabah, who not only spoke and understood the language of the Qur'aan but they were always ready to apply the verses of the Qur'aan in their lives.
For example, when the verse, "O you who believe! Do not raise your voice over that of the Prophet (saws) and do not speak loudly to him as you speak aloud to one another, lest your deeds may be rendered fruitless, while you know not." [al-Hujurat (49): 2] was revealed, one of the companions of Allah's Messenger (saws), Thaabit Ibn Qays (ra), assumed that it referred to him, since he was noted for his loud voice. So, he got up and left the gathering and went home in grief. When Allah's Messenger (saws) noticed his absence, he sent another companion to inquire. When the companion returned and informed Allah's Messenger (saws) about the situation, he (saws) sent for Thaabit and assured him that he will be among the people of Paradise. [Saheeh al-Bukharee vol: 6, no: 214]
So, the Sahabah used to reflect upon the verses of the Qur'aan and apply them in their lives, verses of the Qur'aan were instructions for them to be acted upon and not merely to be read or memorized.
Therefore, when Allah's Messenger (saws) mentioned the virtues of reciting the Qur'aan, he was encouraging the Sahabah to read the Qur'aan as much as they could, and act according to its instructions.
Thus, in order to gain the rewards of reciting Qur'aan, it is important that we understand its meaning and act in accordance to its commandments. Allah says: "Verily, there is indeed a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while he is heedful." [Qaf (50):37]
This Hadeeth divides the reciters of the Qur'aan into two categories, first, those who recite the Qur'aan and it becomes a proof for them on the Day of Judgment. This is for him, who acts by the orders of the Qur'aan and stays away from that which the Qur'aan forbids. He judges by it and is pleased with its laws and regulations. He contemplates its meaning and acts in accordance with it. Allah says: "This is a Book, We have sent down to you full of blessing, so that they may ponder over its verses and so that the people of reflection take heed." [Sad (38):29]
Second Category is of such people who recite the Qur'aan, but it becomes a proof against them on the Day of Judgment. This refers to those who neither act in accordance to the orders of the Qur'aan, nor refrain from what it forbids. This is a warning to those people who have merely memorized the Arabic text of the Qur'aan without understanding or putting into practice its commandments, whilst believing that reciting the Qur'aan will earn reward for them and cancel their evil deeds!
Allah's Messenger (saws) is authentically reported to have mentioned numerous blessings and rewards for the reciters of the Qur'aan, some among them are, "Whoever reads a single letter from Allah's Book will receive a blessing, and each blessing is worth ten times its value." [at-Tirmidhee, Authenticate by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhee vol: 3, no: 2327]
Abu Usamah (ra) also quoted Allah's Messenger (saws) saying: "Recite Qur'aan, for verily it will interceded for its companion (who recites it often) on the Day of Resurrection." [Saheeh Muslim (no: 1757)]
But, when Allah's Messenger (saws) mentioned these virtues of reciting the Qur'aan, he (saws) was addressing the Sahabah, who not only spoke and understood the language of the Qur'aan but they were always ready to apply the verses of the Qur'aan in their lives.
For example, when the verse, "O you who believe! Do not raise your voice over that of the Prophet (saws) and do not speak loudly to him as you speak aloud to one another, lest your deeds may be rendered fruitless, while you know not." [al-Hujurat (49): 2] was revealed, one of the companions of Allah's Messenger (saws), Thaabit Ibn Qays (ra), assumed that it referred to him, since he was noted for his loud voice. So, he got up and left the gathering and went home in grief. When Allah's Messenger (saws) noticed his absence, he sent another companion to inquire. When the companion returned and informed Allah's Messenger (saws) about the situation, he (saws) sent for Thaabit and assured him that he will be among the people of Paradise. [Saheeh al-Bukharee vol: 6, no: 214]
So, the Sahabah used to reflect upon the verses of the Qur'aan and apply them in their lives, verses of the Qur'aan were instructions for them to be acted upon and not merely to be read or memorized.
Therefore, when Allah's Messenger (saws) mentioned the virtues of reciting the Qur'aan, he was encouraging the Sahabah to read the Qur'aan as much as they could, and act according to its instructions.
Thus, in order to gain the rewards of reciting Qur'aan, it is important that we understand its meaning and act in accordance to its commandments. Allah says: "Verily, there is indeed a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while he is heedful." [Qaf (50):37]
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