ٱل م ج ي د ٱل ق ر آن م ق د م ة إ ل ى

ٱل ف ص ل ٱل أ و ل ٱل م ج ي د ٱل ق ر آن م ق د م ة إ ل ى CHAPTER ONE Introduction To The Glorious Qur n This chapter is an introduction to the Glorious Qur n, its recitation and some of its virtues. Introduction Verily, the Glorious Qur' n is one of the greatest gifts of Allah to this ummah (the followers of Prophet Mu ammad ). All h states in s rah al- ashr, v 21: [If We had revealed this Qur' n upon a mountain, you would have seen it tremble and crumble to pieces out of fear of All h.] We learn from this verse that even the mountain would not have been able to carry the divine revelation. This is the greatness of the Glorious Qur' n, and we should be honoured 14

that All h, by revealing the Qur' n to His final Prophet Mu ammad, chose us as the ones to carry this unique and great trust. Hazrath Anas (may All h be pleased with him) narrates: The messenger of All h (peace and blessings of All h be upon him) said: Verily, for All h there are two types of people from mankind. He narrates: It was said: Who are they, Oh messenger of All h? He replied: The people of the Qur' n are the people of Allah, and they are special to Him." 1 Hazrath `Uthm n (may All h be pleased with him) narrates: The messenger of All h peace and blessings of All h be upon him) said: The best of you is he who learns the Qur n and teaches it. 2 1 This ad th is narrated in Musnad al-im m A mad, volume 3, page 581. 2 a al-bukh r, volume 10, page 91 15

We might find ourselves asking the question: What is the Glorious Qur n? The Glorious Qur n is the miraculous kal m (speech) of All h that was revealed to the seal of all prophets and messengers, Prophet Mu ammad, in the most perfect and most eloquent Arabic, through the angel of revelation Jibr l, that has been transmitted to us in succession, whose recitation is a form of worship, which is compiled between two parts of the mus af (copy of the Qur n), which begins with S ah al-f ti a, and ends with S ah al-n s. 1 There is not a single book in this world like the Glorious Qur' n. The Qur' n is complete, meaning that it has explained to us all the laws of All h, and it has not left out a single ruling. It is a gift from All h, which has not been sent for a specific time or place, but which can be used in any time or place. The manner of the recitation of the Qur' n We must realise and know that the Glorious Qur' n has to be recited in a specific way, it cannot be recited in the same manner as other books. That is why All h has said in s rah al- 1 Al-Mos `ah al-qur n yah al-muyassarah, page 983 16

Muzzammil, v 4: [And recite the Qur' n in measured, rhythmic tones.] The word used in this verse is tart l, but what is tart l and how is the Qur' n recited with it? The word tart l has been mentioned in the above verse, and also in s rah al-furq n, v32, when All h says: [And We have arranged it in proper order.] In s rah al-muzzammil, the verse came down referring to the sequence of al h al-layl, the prayer performed between Fajar and `Esh ; and in al-furq n, the verse came down as a reply to the disbelievers when they enquired the reason for the Qur' n being revealed at different stages. Al-Im m al-r ghib says in his book: : The harmony of something and its classification in proper order; And : The sending of the word from the mouth with ease and in proper order." 1 We are also commanded to recite the Qur' n in a melodious way. It is narrated in a al-bukh ri that the Prophet said: "Beautify your voices with the Qur' n." 1 1 Mufrad t F Ghar b al-qur' n, Al-R ghib al-a fah n 17

Qat dah narrates: Anas was asked: How was the recitation of the Prophet? He replied: It was lengthened. Then he recited Bismill hir Ra m nir Ra m, lengthening Bismill h, lengthening Al-Ra m n, and lengthening Al-Ra m. 2 Some issues pertaining to the recitation and memorisation of the Qur n 1- The recitation of the Qur n is one of the best ways for one to get closer to All h. Ab Sa` d Al-Khadr reports that the Prophet Mu ammad said: All h, The Most High says: Whoever is kept busy by the Qur n and My rememberance, I give him better than what I give those who ask. And the favour of the speech of All h over the rest of speech is like the favour of All h over His creation. 3 2- Al-Im m Al-Nawaw says that forgetting the Qur n is one of the major sins, according to the ad th of the Prophet : The sins of my followers were shown to me. I did not see a sin greater than a chapter or verse of the Qur n that a man has been 1 Fat al-b r, explanation of a al-bukh r, volume 2 and Al-Minh j, explanation of a Muslim, volume 3 2 a al-bukh r, Book on the virtues of the Qur n 3 J mi` al-tirmi h 18

given, and then he forgot it. 1 3- To recite the Qur n in a state of cleanliness ( ah ah) is obligatory. To recite the Qur n in a state of ablution (wu ) is preferable, because reciting the Qur n is the best form of remembering All h. 4- To recite the Qur n in a clean place is sunnah, the best place being the mosque. 5- It is preferable for the one reading the Qur n to sit facing the qiblah, in humility, because he is sitting in front of All h. It is sunnah for the reader to use the misw k (toothbrush) before reciting. 6- It is sunnah for the one reading to seek refuge in All h from shay n (the devil). All h says in the Qur n: [And when you recite the Qur n, then seek refuge in All h from shay n, the rejected one.], ch 16, v 98. 7- The reader should begin with the basmalah, because most `ulam are of the opinion that it is a verse from the Qur n. It is also preferable to begin with the basmalah if starting from the middle of the s ah. 1 Ab D w d and others narrate it 19

Some virtues of the Glorious Qur n The Glorious Qur n was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in seven different dialects- Hazrath `Umar Ibn al-kha b narrates: I heard Hish m Ibn ak m Ibn iz m reciting s rah al- Furq n differently to the way I read it, and Ras lull h used to recite it to me. I nearly hastened over Hish m, but I left him until he was leaving, and then took hold of him by his clothes. I went with him to Ras lull h and I said: Oh messenger of All h, indeed, I heard him reciting s rah al-furq n differently to the way you recited it to me. Ras lull h said: Send him, recite. So he recited the way I heard him recite. Ras lull h said: Like this it was revealed, then he said to me: Recite. So I recited and he said: Like this it was revealed. Verily, this Qur n was revealed in seven dialects so recite from it what is easy for you. 1 When the Glorious Qur n is recited al-sak nah (Tranquility) and the angels descend. 2 Jealousy is not allowed except over two types of people- `Abdull h Ibn `Umar narrates: I heard the messenger of All h saying: There is no jealousy except over two: A man whom All h 1 a al-bukh r, volume 5, page 356 & a Muslim, volume 6, page 82 2 a al-bukh r, Book on the virtues of the Qur n, chapter 15 20

has granted the Book, and he recites it the whole night, and a man whom All h has granted abundant wealth, and he gives it as charity the whole day and whole night. 1 The Glorious Qur n will intercede for its companions on the day of Qiy mah. 2 The virtues of S rah al-f ti a- Ab Sa` d Ibn al-mu`all narrates: I was performing al h, and the Prophet called me, I did not answer him. After completing I said: Oh messenger of All h, verily, I was performing al h. He replied: Did All h not say: Answer to All h and the messenger when he calls you... Then he said: Should I not teach you the greatest chapter in the Qur n before you leave the mosque? Then he took me by my hand. Thus, when we were about to leave, I said: Oh messenger of All h, verily, you said: I will indeed teach you the greatest chapter of the Qur n. He replied: Al amdulill hi Rabbil ` lam n, it is al-saba` al-math n, and the Great Qur n that I have been given. 3 The meaning of the Great Qur n is the great reward that a person receives by reciting it even though other chapters of the Qur n are longer than it. 1 a al-bukh r, Book on the virtues of the Qur n, chapter 20 2 a Muslim 3 a al-bukh r, Book on the virtues of the Qur n, ad th 5006 21

The virtues of S rah al-baqarah- Ab Hurayrah narrates: The Prophet entrusted me with safeguarding the zak h of ama n. Thus, a man approached me, and started eating from the food. I took hold of him and said: I will indeed take you to the messenger of All h. He replied: I am in dire need and poverty is upon me. Ab Hurayrah narrates: So I left him. The next morning when I woke up the Prophet said to me: Oh Ab Hurayrah, what did your captive do yesterday? I said: Oh messenger of All h, he complained of dire need and poverty, so I took pity upon him and left him. He replied: Indeed, he has lied to you, and he will return. Thus, I knew he would return because of the Prophet saying that. So I waited for him, until he came and started eating from the food. I took hold of him and said: I will indeed take you to the Prophet. He replied: Leave me, for indeed I am in dire need and poverty is upon me, I will not return. Ab Hurayrah narrates: I took pity upon him and left him. The next morning when I woke up the messenger of All h said to me: Oh Ab Hurayrah what did your captive do? I replied: Oh messenger of All h, he complained of dire need and poverty, so I took pity upon him and left him. He replied: Verily, he has lied to you and he will return. So I waited for him, and he came and started eating from the food. I took hold of him and said: I will indeed take you to the Prophet, and this is the last of three times. You claim that you 22

will not return, then you return. He replied: Let me teach you words that through it, All h will benefit you. I replied: What are they? He replied: When you go to bed, read yah al-kurs : All hu L Il ha Ill Huwal ayyul Qayy m, until you complete the verse. For indeed, protection from All h will not cease over you, and no devil will come near you until you wake up. So I left him. The next morning when I woke up the Prophet said to me: What did your captive do yesterday? I replied: He claimed that he will teach me words that All h will benefit me through, so I left him. The messenger of All h said: What are they? I replied: he said to me: When you go to bed, read yah al-kurs from its beginning until you complete it. Protection from All h will never cease upon you, and no devil will approach you until you wake up. Thus, the Prophet said: Verily, he has been truthful with you, while he is a liar. Do you know who you were speaking to for three nights, Oh Ab Hurayrah? I replied: No. The Prophet replied: He is a devil. 1 The virtue of S rah al-ikhl - Ab Sa` d al-khadr narrates: A man heard another man reciting: Qul Huwall hu A ad. He was repeating it. The next morning when he woke up he came to the Prophet and mentioned that to him. So the messenger of All h replied: By Him in whose hand my soul is, verily, it is equal to one- 1 a al-bukh r, Book on entrustment, ad th 2311 23

third of the Qur n. 1 We should realise that the Glorious Qur n has not been given to us for mere recitation. We have to ponder over its verses and meanings, and apply it in our daily lives. All h has stated in the Qur n: [This is a Book which we have sent down to you, full of blessings so that they may ponder over its verses and so that those of understanding may take heed.], ch 38, v 29. Some benefits of `Ul m Al-Qur n 1- It assists in the studying and the understanding of the Glorious Qur n. It also assists in the derivation of laws and rulings. Tafs r (explanation and interpretation) and other major sciences of the Qur n cannot be studied without `ul m al-qur n. Indeed, this science is a key for anyone who specialises or wants to specialise in tafs r. 2- The one who studies this science is well-equipped with a strong, unique weapon against the enemies of Isl m. 3- The one who studies this science has knowledge about the Glorious Qur n. 1 a al-bukh r, Book on the virtues of the Qur n, ad th 4893 24

How the Glorious Qur n is protected Verily, All h guaranteed that He Himself will protect His Book, and He did not leave it to other than Himself. He prepared various forces to protect the Divine revelation. From these forces are: 1- All h assured His messenger that, indeed, this Book will be protected, and nothing of it will be lost. All h says: [ Do not move your tongue hastefully oncerning the Qur n. It is for Us to compile it and make you recite it. But when We make its recital, follow its recital. Then, more than that, it is for Us to explain it and make it clear. ]. Holy Qur n, ch 75, v 16-19. 2- Verily, the Noble Prophet Mu ammad appointed scribes to write down the Divine revelation each time, immediately after it came down. 3- The Prophet used to recite the Qur n during the prayers. Due to this, everyone who listened to him used to memorise the portion recited. 4- He (the Noble Prophet ) used to carefully study the Qur n each year with Jibr l. He also studied it twice during his last year before he passed away. 25

5- The Prophet used to encourage his companions to such an extent, that they used to love to recite and memorise the Divine revelation. He used to clarify to them the great reward in the recitation and memorisation of the Qur n. 6- Indeed, All h revealed the Qur n upon an unlettered community, whose minds were pure. It was known that this community could memorise poems and narrations by just listening to it once. Thus, when the Qur n came down they took hold of the opportunity to memorise it. 7- The Qur n came down over a period of 23 years, narrating the happenings of the past, present and future. This also had an effect in its protection. 8- The laws and judgements of the Qur n were applied in the reality of life, for, indeed, its laws made up the main law for every problem and event. 9- The Muslim community itself took responsibility for its compilation in one book, when it was compiled during the times of Hazrath Ab Bakr and Hazrath `Uthm n. 10- The Qur anic sciences, like Tafs r (commentary and explanation) and the different recitations, grew around the Divine revelation. 11- Indeed, All h made its memorisation easy for the hearts and its recitation easy for the tongue.