In the name of Allah SWT who is our creator and the master of this universe, who created us for nothing other than His worship and may the salutations be upon the Prophet Mohammad SAW who was send as a guide to this duniya, to lead the people on to the right path in order that they may become successful in this duniya as well as in aakhira.
The biggest blessing of Allah SWT on this mankind is the revelation of the Kalaam of Allah, Al-Quran. Without this book of guidance, we would not be able to keep ourselves on the right path. This blessing of Allah SWT is the miracle bestowed upon the last nabi of Allah , Mohammad SAW. Allah SWT says regarding this miracle:
قُل لَّئِنِ اجْتَمَعَتِ الإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَى أَن يَأْتُواْ بِمِثْلِ هَـذَا الْقُرْآنِ لاَ يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا
Say: "If the mankind and the jinns were together to produce the like of this Qur'ân, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another."
My dear brothers and sisters, we must understand the reason of the revelation of Quran. It was not revealed so that we cover it up and place it on the highest shelf in our house. If was not revealed so that we occasionally take a look at it and then remain aloof of what has been written in it. It was not revealed so that we take out the meaning that suites our lifestyle and discard the rest.
It is a complete system to govern our life on the pattern of righteousness and if we have committed a wrong doing, if we have failed to follow an injuction, this Quran is a reminder for us to repent from our Creator, Allah SWT.
Ahadeeth about the Virtues of Quran:
- Uthman (Radhi Allaho anho) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said: "The best amongst you is he who learns the Qur'an and teaches it."
- In 'Sharah Ihya', the list of people who will be given shelter in the shade of 'Arsh' (Throne of Allah) on the fearful Day of Judgement includes those persons who teach the Qur'an to the children of Muslims and also those who learn the Holy Qur'an in their childhood and are devoted to its recitation when grown up.
The purpose of this Quran is to bring the teachings of Allah SWT into our lives so that we can lead our lives based on righteousness in the complete practical way. When Aisha RA was asked, How was the character of Rasulallah SAW? She answered: Rasulallah SAW’s character was like the walking talking Quran. So, it is not an option for us to just let ourselves relaxed in assumption that since we were born muslims, we will be successful on the day of Qayyamah… No, we must understand the commandments of Allah mentioned in this book and apply them in our lives, for verily we will be questioned about it.
Abu Sa'id (Radhi Allaho anho) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said: "Almighty Allah says, "If anybody finds no time for My remembrance and for begging favors of Me, because of his remaining busy with the Holy Qur'an, I shall give him more than what I give to all those who beg favors of Me."
Today, we have led ourselves away from the love of this book, we consider it Okay for our children to read fantasy and fiction novels but when it comes to Quran, we do not go out of our way to make every effort to teach them and to develop this love in their hearts. The result!? The result is that it is our children, when they grow up, devoid of the love and muhabbah of Quran, they question the authenticity of this very book. The love and muhabbah of the kalaam of Allah needs to be developed in these young children so that when they grow older, they remain drenched in this kalaam and live their lives accordingly.
If musk and amber are placed before a man who has a cold and therefore a stuffy nose, he will not be able to appreciate their fragrance. This is not the fault of the musk or amber, but the fault of his illness. Today the Holy Quran is amongst us, but because we are diseased by our sins we are estranged from the pleasures of the Holy Book.
Abdullah ibn-e-Abbas (Radhi Allaho anho) has narrated the saying of Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam): "He in whose heart there is no part of the Qur'an is like a deserted house."
My dear brothers and elders! If we see the lives of our predecessors, we will see how they took this book to be the guiding light in their dark journeys of life and we will see their muhabbah with the Kalaam of Allah.
Fatima RA would become so absorbed in the recitation of the Quran during prayer that she would lose track of time. She once complained to Allah, "I began by making intention for just two raka’s; Your night is so short that I was able to offer just those two rakats."
In Madinah at the time of the Prophet, if a man started walking from his house to the mosque at the time of Tahajjud, the sound of people reading the Holy Quran would be like the buzzing of bees around their hive. Every night used to be like a night of Ramadan for them. They weren't like us today; if we stay awake at night then when we finally sleep we don't wake up till the afternoon. In those days they worked and participated in battle during the day, and spent the night in worship. They would be refreshed by reading the Holy Quran
This is comparable to a mother who says she is extremely tired and asks that she not be disturbed from her sleep, but sits up fully refreshed if her son suddenly returns from overseas after a long time: all her fatigue will completely vanish. In this same way those who are close to Allah are rejuvenated upon reciting the Holy Quran.
Imam Abu Hanifa (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) used to complete one reading of the Holy Quran in the daytime and one at night, and would finish its recitation a total of sixty-three times in the holy month of Ramadan.
On her wedding night, Hadrat Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal's (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) daughter recited seven chapters of the Holy Quran in tahajjud. This is no small feat for a girl's first night with her husband. Today people become restless listening to merely one chapter in Ramadan.
Today when people watch videos and movies, hours go by before they notice how much time has elapsed. Just in the same way the Ahl-e-Quran (People of the Quran) have no idea where the time goes when they begin reading. Just as for the one sitting in front of a television screen, scenes of Paradise and Hell pass before their eyes as they read. At times they feel joyous upon reading a verse about Paradise, at times they prostrate in fear upon reading a verse about Hell. Their whole night passes in experiencing these moments of grief and joy.
Four things of which People Never Tire
The ulema have written that a person's heart can never tire of four things.
The first of these is the sky. Everyday we look at the same blue sky, the same stars, the same clouds, but we never tire of this sight. No one has ever said that he wishes the sky to be another color, such as pink.
The second of these is water. Even if someone grows to be a hundred years old, he will never tire of drinking water.
The third of these is the sight of the House of Allah, the Kaa'ba. One never tires of gazing at it, the site upon which the mercy and blessings of Allah are constantly descending. There is truly nothing comparable to the House of Allah on this Earth. People wish time would stand still so they could keep gazing at the Kaa'ba; their thirst is never quenched, rather it increases. Such lovers of Allah have the insight to see these blessings descending.
The fourth thing from which the heart never tires is reading the Holy Quran. Readers of this Book spend their entire lives reciting and teaching it, but never tire of it. Their desire increases the more they read. Allah has put incredible blessing in this Book.
A'ishah (Radhi Allaho anha) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said, "Certainly there is always a thing in which people take pride. And that which is glory and pride for my Ummat is the Holy Qur'an."
Anas (Radhi Allaho anho) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said, "By Allah, from amongst the people, there are some who are those of His household." The Sahabah (Radhi Allaho anhum) (may Allah be pleased with them) asked, "Who are those people?" he replied "Men of the Qur'an. They are of the household of Allah, and are his favored ones."
Men of Quran are the people who have special attachment to the Kalaam of Allah SWT. These are the people who have their lives revolve around Quran. They keep themselves occupied by Quran through recitation, memorization as well as by understanding.
May Allah SWT give us the ability to foster in our hearts the love of Quran and the willingness and commitment to follow the commandments as shown to us by Rasulallah SAW.. Amiin.. Wa ma Taufiqi Ilallah Billah…
The biggest blessing of Allah SWT on this mankind is the revelation of the Kalaam of Allah, Al-Quran. Without this book of guidance, we would not be able to keep ourselves on the right path. This blessing of Allah SWT is the miracle bestowed upon the last nabi of Allah , Mohammad SAW. Allah SWT says regarding this miracle:
قُل لَّئِنِ اجْتَمَعَتِ الإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَى أَن يَأْتُواْ بِمِثْلِ هَـذَا الْقُرْآنِ لاَ يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا
Say: "If the mankind and the jinns were together to produce the like of this Qur'ân, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another."
My dear brothers and sisters, we must understand the reason of the revelation of Quran. It was not revealed so that we cover it up and place it on the highest shelf in our house. If was not revealed so that we occasionally take a look at it and then remain aloof of what has been written in it. It was not revealed so that we take out the meaning that suites our lifestyle and discard the rest.
It is a complete system to govern our life on the pattern of righteousness and if we have committed a wrong doing, if we have failed to follow an injuction, this Quran is a reminder for us to repent from our Creator, Allah SWT.
Ahadeeth about the Virtues of Quran:
- Uthman (Radhi Allaho anho) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said: "The best amongst you is he who learns the Qur'an and teaches it."
- In 'Sharah Ihya', the list of people who will be given shelter in the shade of 'Arsh' (Throne of Allah) on the fearful Day of Judgement includes those persons who teach the Qur'an to the children of Muslims and also those who learn the Holy Qur'an in their childhood and are devoted to its recitation when grown up.
The purpose of this Quran is to bring the teachings of Allah SWT into our lives so that we can lead our lives based on righteousness in the complete practical way. When Aisha RA was asked, How was the character of Rasulallah SAW? She answered: Rasulallah SAW’s character was like the walking talking Quran. So, it is not an option for us to just let ourselves relaxed in assumption that since we were born muslims, we will be successful on the day of Qayyamah… No, we must understand the commandments of Allah mentioned in this book and apply them in our lives, for verily we will be questioned about it.
Abu Sa'id (Radhi Allaho anho) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said: "Almighty Allah says, "If anybody finds no time for My remembrance and for begging favors of Me, because of his remaining busy with the Holy Qur'an, I shall give him more than what I give to all those who beg favors of Me."
Today, we have led ourselves away from the love of this book, we consider it Okay for our children to read fantasy and fiction novels but when it comes to Quran, we do not go out of our way to make every effort to teach them and to develop this love in their hearts. The result!? The result is that it is our children, when they grow up, devoid of the love and muhabbah of Quran, they question the authenticity of this very book. The love and muhabbah of the kalaam of Allah needs to be developed in these young children so that when they grow older, they remain drenched in this kalaam and live their lives accordingly.
If musk and amber are placed before a man who has a cold and therefore a stuffy nose, he will not be able to appreciate their fragrance. This is not the fault of the musk or amber, but the fault of his illness. Today the Holy Quran is amongst us, but because we are diseased by our sins we are estranged from the pleasures of the Holy Book.
Abdullah ibn-e-Abbas (Radhi Allaho anho) has narrated the saying of Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam): "He in whose heart there is no part of the Qur'an is like a deserted house."
My dear brothers and elders! If we see the lives of our predecessors, we will see how they took this book to be the guiding light in their dark journeys of life and we will see their muhabbah with the Kalaam of Allah.
Fatima RA would become so absorbed in the recitation of the Quran during prayer that she would lose track of time. She once complained to Allah, "I began by making intention for just two raka’s; Your night is so short that I was able to offer just those two rakats."
In Madinah at the time of the Prophet, if a man started walking from his house to the mosque at the time of Tahajjud, the sound of people reading the Holy Quran would be like the buzzing of bees around their hive. Every night used to be like a night of Ramadan for them. They weren't like us today; if we stay awake at night then when we finally sleep we don't wake up till the afternoon. In those days they worked and participated in battle during the day, and spent the night in worship. They would be refreshed by reading the Holy Quran
This is comparable to a mother who says she is extremely tired and asks that she not be disturbed from her sleep, but sits up fully refreshed if her son suddenly returns from overseas after a long time: all her fatigue will completely vanish. In this same way those who are close to Allah are rejuvenated upon reciting the Holy Quran.
Imam Abu Hanifa (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) used to complete one reading of the Holy Quran in the daytime and one at night, and would finish its recitation a total of sixty-three times in the holy month of Ramadan.
On her wedding night, Hadrat Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal's (May the mercy of Allah be upon him) daughter recited seven chapters of the Holy Quran in tahajjud. This is no small feat for a girl's first night with her husband. Today people become restless listening to merely one chapter in Ramadan.
Today when people watch videos and movies, hours go by before they notice how much time has elapsed. Just in the same way the Ahl-e-Quran (People of the Quran) have no idea where the time goes when they begin reading. Just as for the one sitting in front of a television screen, scenes of Paradise and Hell pass before their eyes as they read. At times they feel joyous upon reading a verse about Paradise, at times they prostrate in fear upon reading a verse about Hell. Their whole night passes in experiencing these moments of grief and joy.
Four things of which People Never Tire
The ulema have written that a person's heart can never tire of four things.
The first of these is the sky. Everyday we look at the same blue sky, the same stars, the same clouds, but we never tire of this sight. No one has ever said that he wishes the sky to be another color, such as pink.
The second of these is water. Even if someone grows to be a hundred years old, he will never tire of drinking water.
The third of these is the sight of the House of Allah, the Kaa'ba. One never tires of gazing at it, the site upon which the mercy and blessings of Allah are constantly descending. There is truly nothing comparable to the House of Allah on this Earth. People wish time would stand still so they could keep gazing at the Kaa'ba; their thirst is never quenched, rather it increases. Such lovers of Allah have the insight to see these blessings descending.
The fourth thing from which the heart never tires is reading the Holy Quran. Readers of this Book spend their entire lives reciting and teaching it, but never tire of it. Their desire increases the more they read. Allah has put incredible blessing in this Book.
A'ishah (Radhi Allaho anha) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said, "Certainly there is always a thing in which people take pride. And that which is glory and pride for my Ummat is the Holy Qur'an."
Anas (Radhi Allaho anho) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said, "By Allah, from amongst the people, there are some who are those of His household." The Sahabah (Radhi Allaho anhum) (may Allah be pleased with them) asked, "Who are those people?" he replied "Men of the Qur'an. They are of the household of Allah, and are his favored ones."
Men of Quran are the people who have special attachment to the Kalaam of Allah SWT. These are the people who have their lives revolve around Quran. They keep themselves occupied by Quran through recitation, memorization as well as by understanding.
May Allah SWT give us the ability to foster in our hearts the love of Quran and the willingness and commitment to follow the commandments as shown to us by Rasulallah SAW.. Amiin.. Wa ma Taufiqi Ilallah Billah…
