By Dr Mohammad Qatanani
Reciting the Quran is one of the best good deeds a Muslim can do. Also, it is a great means of spiritually recharging and lifting up the heart. Hence, a good practicing Muslim should recite as much of the Quran as he/she can. Reciting the Quran is the best act of worship after the obligations. Indeed, the Quran will be a witness either for or against you according to your relationship with it.
Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The best of you are the ones who learn the Quran and teach it to others.” (Al Bukhari)
A Muslim will be rewarded for each and every letter he/she reads. In an authentic hadith it was narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever reads a letter from the Allah’s Book, he will be rewarded for it. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “alif, laam, meem” is one letter, but “alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.” (Tirmithi)
So, we should increase recitation of the Quran as much as we can to gain these merits, and to gain the following merit as well.
A Muslim’s status is raised by the Quran; the more he recites it, following its commandments and making it a part of his or her life, the more Allah will elevate his or her status in this life and in the Hereafter.
Imam Muslim mentioned in his book a story where some men came to question Umar ibn Al Khattaab during his Caliphate about the leadership of Makkah, they asked, “Who do you use to govern Makkah?” He said, “Ibn Abzaa.” They asked, “And who is Ibn Abzaa?” Umar replied, “A freed slave from those we freed.” They remarked, “You left a freed slave in charge of the people of the Valley (the noble tribes of the Quraysh)!?” He answered them, “Verily he is a reader of Allah’s Book and is knowledgeable about the obligations of the Muslims. Haven’t you heard the statement of your Messenger: “Verily Allah raises some people by this Book and lowers others by it?”
In another hadith, Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Verily the one who recites the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have been reward twice.”
(Bukhari and Muslim)
It is also stated in the hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al Aas (may Allah be pleased with them both), in which the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever recites ten ayahs (verses) in qiyam will not be recorded as one of the forgetful. Whoever recites a hundred ayahs in qiyam will be recorded as one of the devout, and whoever prays a thousand ayahs in qiyam will be recorded as one of the muqantereen (those who pile up good deeds).” (Abu Dawuud and Ibn Hibbaan) The Prophet also said: “The Quran is an intercessor (something given permission to intercede) and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise, and whoever puts it behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire.” (Tabarani from`Abdullaah ibn Mas`ud)
Our Mother Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) understood from the former Hadiths that the position of a Muslim in Paradise will be based on his position and relationship with the Quran; since the ranks of Paradise have the same number of the verses of the Quran.
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “It will be said to the man or the woman of the Quran, ‘Recite and beautify your recitation as you used to do in your life, your position will be with the last ayah you recite.” (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi)
The Prophet (PBUH) was asked about the best action, he replied: “The reader who lives within the confines of the Quran and travels between its covers.” (Tirmidhi and Al Hakim)
The writer is Professor at the Islamic American University and Imam of the Islamic Centre of Passaic County in New Jersey
