Are you one of those people who rarely touch the Qur’an? Or do you read it daily, but don’t find it is having the impact on you that it should? Whatever the case may be, these are some simple tips that can help you connect with the Qur’an.
1. Before you touch it, check your heart
The key to really benefiting from the Qur’an is to check your heart first, before you even touch Allah’s book. Ask yourself, honestly, why you are reading it. Is it to just get some information and to let it drift away from you later? Remember that the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was described by his noble wife, ‘Aa’ishah, radhiallah ‘anha, as a “walking Qur’an”: in other words, he didn’t just read and recite the Qur’an, he lived it.
2. Before you touch it, do your Wudhoo’ (ablution)
Doing your Wudhoo’ is good physical and mental preparation to remind you that you are not reading just another book. You are about to interact with Allah, the Most Exalted, so being clean should be a priority when communicating with Him.
3. Start with reading only five minutes everyday
Too often, we think that we should read the Noble Qur’an for at least one whole hour. If you are not in the habit of reading regularly, this is too much. Start off with just five minutes daily. If you took care of step one, Insha Allah (Allah willing), you will notice that those five minutes will become ten, then half an hour, then an hour, and maybe even more!
4. Make sure that you understand what you have read
Five minutes of reading the Qur’an in Arabic is good, but you need to understand what you are reading. If you are not Arabic, or you don’t understand the Arabic language, then make sure you have a good translation of the Qur’an in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you have read that day.
Regarding those who neglect the Glorious Qur’an by not reading or not understanding it, Allah Almighty Says (what means): And the Messenger has said, “O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Qur’an as [a thing] abandoned.” [Qur’an: 25: 30]
Allah Almighty informs us about His Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, that he said: “My Lord my people have abandoned - acting or listening - to the Qur’an” and that is because the idol-worshippers did not pay attention nor listen to the Qur’an, as Allah Says (what means): “And those who disbelieve say, “Do not listen to this Qur’an and speak noisily during [the recitation of] it that perhaps you will overcome.” [Qur’an 41:26]
5. Remember that the Noble Qur’an is far more interactive than a CD
In an age of “interactive” CD-ROMs and computer programs, a number of people think books are passive and boring. But the Qur’an is not like that. Remember that when you read the Glorious Qur’an, you are interacting with Almighty Allah. He Almighty is talking to you, so pay attention.
6. Do not just read, you have to listen too
There are now many audio systems and CDs of the Qur’an, a number of them with translations as well. Use this in addition to your daily Qur’an reading, not as a replacement for it.
7. Make Du’aa’ (supplication).
Ask Allah, the Most Exalted, to guide you when you read the Qur’an. Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of Allah, interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Du’aa’ to Allah for help and guidance will be your best tool for doing this.
When you are making du’aa’, you have a direct connection with Allah Almighty. So when you are saying your du’aa’, you shouldn’t be distracted, but instead you should be fully concentrated. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Make Du’aa’ and be assured of it being answered, and know that Allah, the Exalted, does not answer a Du’aa’ from a careless heart which is not concentrating.” [At-Tirmithi]
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/
The advantages of memorising the Qur’an
Memorising the Qur’an is an act of worship through which one seeks the Face of Allah and reward in the Hereafter. Without this intention, he will never have any reward, rather he will be punished for doing this act of worship for someone or something other than Allah. The haafith (the person who has memorised the Qur’an) should not have any intention of gaining worldly benefits by memorising the Qur’an, because his memorisation thereof is not a product to be traded with in this world, rather it is an act of worship which is done for the sake of his Lord.
Allah has given special privileges to the one who memorises the Qur’an in a number of ways in this world and in the Hereafter, for example:
1 - He takes precedence over others in leading the prayer. It was narrated that Abu Mas’ood al-Ansaari said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘The people should be led in prayer by the one among them who has the most knowledge of the Book of Allah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Qur’an, then by the one who has most knowledge of the Sunnah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then by the one who migrated (made hijrah) first; if they are equal in terms of hijrah, then by the one who became Muslim first. No man should lead another in prayer in his domain of authority, or sit in his place in his house, except with his permission.” (Narrated by Muslim)
It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar said: “When the first muhaajiroon (emigrants) came to Quba’, before the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came (to Madinah), Saalim the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfah used to lead them in prayer, and he was the one who knew the most Qur’an.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari)
2 - He is placed in front of others in a common grave, closer to the qiblah, if it is essential to bury him with others. It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allah (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: “The Prophet would wrap two of the men slain at Uhud in a single cloth, then he would ask, ‘Which of them knew more Qur’an?’ If one of them was pointed out to him, he would put that one in the lahd (niche in the side of the grave) first. And he said, ‘I will be a witness over these people on the Day of Resurrection.’ He commanded that they should be buried with their blood, without being washed, and that no funeral prayer should be offered for them.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari)
3 - He takes precedence in leadership if he able to bear that. It was narrated from ‘Aamir ibn Waathilah that Naafi’ ibn ‘Abd al-Haarith met ‘Umar in ‘Usfaan, and ‘Umar had appointed him as governor of Makkah. ‘Umar said, “Who have you appointed in charge of the people of the valley?” He said, “Ibn Abza.” ‘Umar asked, “Who is Ibn Abza?” He said, “One of our freed slaves.” Umar said, “Have you appointed over them a freed slave?!” He said, “He is well-versed in the Book of Allah and he has knowledge of the laws of inheritance.” ‘Umar said: “Your Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Indeed, by this Book, Allah would exalt some people and degrade others.’” (Narrated by Muslim)
With regard to the Hereafter:
4 - The status of the one who memorises the Qur’an will be commensurate with the last aayah he memorised. It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’an (i.e., the one who memorised and studied it): ‘Read, advance in status and recite as you used to do in the world, for your status will be commensurate with the last aayah that you recite.’” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi; he said this is a saheeh hasan hadith. Al-Albaani said in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, it is hasan saheeh. Also narrated by Abu Dawood). What is meant by reciting here is memorising.
5 - He will be with the angels, accompanying them. It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The one who recites the Qur’an and learns it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven) and the one who exerts himself to learn the Qur’an by heart and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari; Muslim)
6 - He will be given a crown of honour and a garment of honour to wear. It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The Qur’an will come on the Day of Resurrection and will say, ‘O Lord, adorn him.’ So he will be given a crown of honour to wear. Then it will say, ‘O Lord, give him more.’ So he will be given a garment of honour.’ Then it will say, ‘O Lord, be pleased with him.’ So Allah will be pleased with him. Then it will be said to him, ‘Recite and advance in status, and for each verse you will gain one more hasanah (reward for good deed).” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi. He said, this is a saheeh hasan hadith. Al-Albaani said in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, this is hasan).
7 - The Qur’an will intercede for him with his Lord. It was narrated that Abu Umaamah al-Baahili said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say, ‘Recite the Qur’an, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection to intercede for its companions. Recite the two bright ones, al-Baqarah and Soorat Aal ‘Imraan, for they will come on the Day of Resurrection like two clouds or two shades or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Surah al-Baqarah for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it.” (Narrated by Muslim, and by al-Bukhari in a mu’allaq report).
Secondly: With regard to his relatives and descendents, there is evidence concerning his parents that they will be clothed with garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world, and that will only be because they took care of and taught their child. Even if they themselves were ignorant, Allah will honour them because of their child. But the one who prevented his child from learning the Qur’an, he will be one of those who are deprived.
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘The Qur’an will come on the Day of Resurrection like a pale man saying to its companion, “Do you recognise me? I am the one who made you stay up at night and made you thirsty during the day...” Then he will be given dominion in his right hand and eternity in his left, and a crown of dignity will be placed upon his head, and his parents will be clothed with garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world. They will say, “O Lord, how did we earn this.” It will be said to them, “Because you taught your child the Qur’an.”’” (Narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Awsat).
It was narrated that Buraidah said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever reads the Qur’an, learns it and acts in accordance with it, on the Day of Resurrection his parents will be given a crown to wear whose light will be like the light of the sun, and his parents will be given garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world. They will say, “Why have we been given this to wear?” It will be said, “Because your child learned the Qur’an.”’” (Narrated by al-Haakim) These two hadith support one another. See al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 2829. And Allah knows best.
