AL-QUR'AAN - A SOURCE OF BENEFIT FOR THE UMMAH

Allâh Ta`âlâ mentions in one of the verses of the Holy Qurân:

“O People! Certainly an advisor has come to you from your Lord.”

Rasûlullâh (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said that man has two types of advisors; one is a silent advisor and the other is a talking advisor. The silent advisor is death. In other words, if a person ponders over the fact that one day he will have to leave this world and he will have to stand before Allâh Ta`âlâ and submit an account of all his deeds etc., than such a person will definitely abstain from sin and pursue pious and righteous deeds instead.

The second advisor referred to as the talking advisor is the Holy Qurân. The Qurân is the blessed speech of Allâh Ta`âlâ which He had revealed for the guidance of mankind. It is our firm belief that the Holy Qurân is the most superior book of Allâh Ta`âlâ revealed upon the noblest creation, Rasûlullâh (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) via the most superior angel Hadrat Jibra’îl (Alayhis salaam). 

Apart from the Qurân, no other divine scripture was awarded the preference of divine preservation. As Allâh Ta`âlâ says in the Holy Qurân: “We have revealed the Qurân and We will be its protectors.”

The Qurân enjoys a noble status and great significance in the eyes of Allâh Ta`âlâ. So let us ponder over some of the benefits of reciting the Holy Qurân.

Hadrat `Abdullâh bin Mas`ûd (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that Rasûlullâh (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “The person who recites one letter of the Qurân will receive one reward and each reward will be multiplied ten-fold.” He further added: “I do not mean that ‘Alif-Lâm Mîm’ is one letter but indeed Alif is one letter, Lâm is one letter and Mîm is another letter.”

It is mentioned by some `Ulamâ that the Qurân comprises of 3202670 letters. We can well imagine the extent of Thawâb one attains by merely reciting the Holy Qurân once. 

In another Hadîth, Hadrat Abu Sa`îd Khudrî (Radhiallaahu Anhu) reports that Rasûlullâh (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “A person, who due to the excessive recitation of the Qurân is unable to make the Zikr of Allâh Ta`âlâ and Du`â unto him, Allâh Ta`âlâ will bestow upon such a person more blessings and Rehmat (mercy) than those who make His Zikr and make Du`â unto him.”

Many a times, whilst reciting the Qurân, we find it difficult to continue due to some natural difficulty or other like stuttering etc. Concerning such a person, Hadrat `Âishah (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that Rasûlullâh (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “A person who experiences difficulty in reciting the Qurân will receive double the reward of that person who experiences no difficulty.”

We should endeavour to occupy ourselves with the constant recitation of the Holy Qurân so that we may attract the mercy and blessings of Allâh Ta`âlâ.

As for those who do not even know a portion of the Qurân, they are described in a Hadîth narrated by Hadrat `Abdulâh bin `Abbâs (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that Rasûlullâh (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “The person who does not even have a bit of the Qurân in his bosom (chest) is like a devastated house.” Just as we do would not like to care for or go near a devastated house, in the same manner, Allâh Ta`âlâ does not care for or worry about such a person.

In another Hadîth, Rasûlullâh (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said: “Do not make your homes like grave yards.” In other words, just as the graveyards are devoid of the recitation of the Qurân, don’t make your homes like this.

The Holy Qurân and the month of Ramadân go hand in hand. Without the Qurân, Ramadân would have been incomplete. Allâh Ta`âlâ informs us in the Holy Qurân: “The month of Ramadân, wherein the Qurân was revealed.”

In one Hadîth, Rasûlullâh (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) says: “The fasting of a person and the Qurân will intercede for him on the day of judgement. His fasting will cry: “O Allâh! I prevented him from eating and fulfilling his desires during the day, so accept my intercession in his favour.” And the Qurân will beg: “O Allâh! I prevented him from sleeping at night (due to his recitation in Tarâwîh and Tahajjud etc.). So, accept my intercession in his favour.” Rasûlullâh (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) further mentions that the intercession of both will be accepted. How fortunate are those in whose favour the Qurân will intercede on the day regarding which the Qurân declares: And fear that day when no soul shall benefit another soul and no intercession will be accepted from it.”

We should take out some time daily and recite at least a page or a Ruk`û of the Qurân. Some `Ulamâ are of the opinion that the right of the Qurân over us is that it should be recited at least twice a year; once in Ramadân and once throughout the year. 

We make Du`â unto Allâh Ta`âlâ that He makes the Qurân a means of guidance for the entire Ummah and may He render it a means of benefit for us in this world by means of drawing His mercy and blessing and in the hereafter through its intercession and Thawâb. Âmîn.

Al-In`aam – November 2000

Last modified: January 29, 2006

Related Articles: