If there was only one book you could read in your entire lifetime, then let it be none other than the book of Allah, the Quraan.
It is the book of Allah, revealed directly from the Lord of the Worlds to his Messenger (pbuh) through his angel Jibraeel.
It is the book that changed the world. It changed the people, their thinking, their actions, their thoughts.
It is the book that was revealed at a time of choas and ignorance. A book which brought the people out from the darkness and into the light. As Allah says:
“Allah is near unto those who have faith, taking them out of deep darkness into the light..” (2:257)
The Quraan, the book which guides to that which is right and distinguishes good from evil. As Allah says:
“…and it guides to that which is right..” (17:9)
The Quraan, the guide for mankind. It explains to us how to best live our lives. A handbook for humans, their source of guidance. Allah says:
“This is the Book (the Qur’aan), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are the pious.” (2:2)
Through it Allah guides many and also leaves many astray and He guides whom He wills.
The Quraan, the cure for mankind. It cures the heart and gives light
to the blind. A cure for the soul, removing the diseases of the heart.
Allah says:
“And We send down of the Qur’aan that
which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe, and it increases
the (polytheists and wrongdoers) nothing but loss”. (17:82)
The Quraan, the book which we should refer to throughout our lives,
through hardship and through ease. When life pushes us to our limits and
the tests seem unbearable, you will be amazed at how easily you will
find the solution in this amazing book. Allah says in the
Quraan:
“Allah does not burden a soul more than it can bear.” (2:286)
When we find ourselves facing hardship after hardship, we can find rest in the words of our Lord when He says:
“Verily after hardship comes ease. Verily, after hardship comes ease.” (94:5-6)
The Quraan, the book of miracles. It explained to men what they knew
not. It explains what humans later found out to be true and even have
yet to find out. The book revealed to a man who could neither read nor
write. The book which, to this day, has yet to be challenged. As Allah says:
“If you are in doubt about what we have
sent to our servant (Muhammad), produce a surah like and call upon your
partners besides Allah if you are truthful. You will be unable to, and
never will you be able to..” (2:23-24)
The Quraan, the book of facts. It explains the world around us, the
measurement of the universe, the forming of clouds, the miracles of
nature, the miracle of creation. As Allah says:
“If you are in doubt about what we have
sent to our servant (Muhammad), produce a surah like and call upon your
partners besides Allah if you are truthful. You will be unable to, and
never will you be able to..” (2:23-24)
The Quraan, the book of facts. It explains the world around us, the
measurement of the universe, the forming of clouds, the miracles of
nature, the miracle of creation. As Allah says:
“Narrate to them the stories so they may reflect” (7:176)
The Quraan, the book of history. It covers the entire period of
history from the beginning of time until the end of time and beyond. It
explains how life began and how it will all end by Allah’s permission.
It informs us of events that occurred in the past, events that were
happening at the time of revelation and events that will happen in the
future. As Allah says in the last ayah to be revealed:
“Narrate to them the stories so they may reflect.” (7:176)
The Quraan, the book of history. It covers the entire period of
history from the beginning of time until the end of time and beyond. It
explains how life began and how it will all end by Allah’s permission.
It informs us of events that occurred in the past, events that were
happening at the time of revelation and events that will happen in the
future. As Allah says in the last ayah to be revealed:
“Indeed We have sent the reminder, and indeed, We will preserve it." (15:9)
So no matter what the non Muslims try to do to this amazing book,
they will never be able to destroy it. They may try to burn it, they may
try to throw it in the sea, they may even try to shoot it but none of
this will affect the Quraan or the words of Allah even in the
slightest.
A method which Allah has protected the Quraan is by
engraving it into the memory of the ummah. To do hifdh is to protect
something. So the hufaadh (plural of haafidh) of the Quraan are, in
reality, the protectors of the Quraan. They have memorized the book from
cover to cover, word for word, letter for letter. They are the bearers
of the Quraan and they do their part to ensure the Quraan is
protected.
It
has been transmitted from millions of people for over 1430 years
down to every dot. If someone tried to change a single verse, they would
be found out and corrected. The blessed of this ummah are given ijaaza
(permission) by their teachers with chains going directly to the
messenger of Allah (pbuh). Some scholars even say
that the chain of narrators of the Quraan even goes directly to Allah as
the chain of reciting for the prophet (pbuh) was directly from Allah
through the angel Jibraeel.
A book so great and beneficial only deserves to be memorized and
acted upon. Allah has made the memorization of the book easy for the
people, as Allah says:
“Indeed we have made this Quraan easy to remember so who is it that will remember?” (54:17)
It starts with a sincere intention, some firm action and lots of dua.
Even if we start small, simply by memorizing one ayah a day, the
reward lies with Allah. The messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done on a
regular basis.” [Bukhari]
The benefits of memorizing the Quraan are many. ‘Aa’ishah narrated
that the Prophet (pbuh)
said: “The
likeness of the one who reads Qur’aan and memorizes it is that he is
with the righteous honorable scribes. The likeness of the one who reads
it and tries hard to memorize it even though it is difficult for him,
he will have two rewards.” [Bukhari]. ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr (ra) narrated
that the Prophet (pbuh) said: "It will be said to the companion of the
Quraan: Recite and ascend, recite as you used to recite in the world,
and your station will be at the last verse you recite." [Tirmidhi]
The other method by which Allah has protected the Quraan
is by having it recorded in a book unchanged from the time of
revelation. This is the copy of the Quraan we have today and this is the
copy from which we read from. The exact same words and letters that
were read by the sahabah (ra) from the lips of the Prophet
(pbuh).
However by simply memorizing the Quraan we will not reap the full
benefits and reward. The Quraan was sent down to be implemented into our
everyday lives. Why would we read a manual to a new item we have
purchased if we are not going to follow the instructions?
Along with following the Quraan, let us not forget to follow its
companion: the sunnah of the messenger of Allah (pbuh). Aisha (ra), the wife of the prophet, described the
prophet (pbuh) as “the walking Quraan”. The
Sunnah compliments the Quraan and in many instances, it explains the
Quraan. As Allah says:
“Say (Oh Muhammad): “If you love Allah, then follow me…” (3:31)
The Quraan will be a witness on the Day of Judgement. We have no
choice in that matter. But we can choose whether it is a witness for us
or against us. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “The
Quraan is an argument for or against you” [Muslim]
In order for the Quraan to be a witness for us then we must ensure we
read it with its due right and implement it to the best of our
ability. The Prophet (pbuh) said: ..The Quraan
will say: ‘I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for
him.’ And their intercession will be accepted.” [Ahmad]
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh)
said: “Read the Quraan, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection
interceding for its companions. Read the two bright ones, al-Baqarah and
Soorat Aal ‘Imraan, for they will come on the Day of Resurrection like
two clouds or shadows, or like two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading
on behalf of their companions. Read Soorat al-Baqarah for reciting it
regularly is a blessing and forsaking it is a loss, and the magicians
cannot withstand it.” [Muslim]
For those who are unable to memorize the entire book, Allah has been merciful to us and rewards us for simply reading it.
Allah’s mercy is so great that He doesn’t give small rewards but great
rewards for the one who simply reads the book of Allah.
‘Abd-Allah ibn Mas’ood (ra) said: The
Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“Whoever reads one letter of the Book of Allah will have one hasanah for
it, and each hasanah is a tenfold reward. I do not say that
alif-laam-meem is a letter, rather alif is a letter, laam is a letter
and meem is a letter.” [Tirmidhi]
The Quraan comes with many ways of earning reward through it, whether
we memorize it, read it or teach it. The prophet (pbuh) said: “The best amongst you is the one who learns the Quraan and
teaches it to others”. Every Muslim can do at least one of these, if
not all three.
With all the controversy about the burning of the Quraan, there is
one type of burning which we can all do; that is the burning of the
Quraan into our hearts.
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