By Dr. Norlain bint Muhammad Dindang
(Note: The Author is now using her real family name instead of her husband’s family name (Mababaya) in conformity with Islamic value.) 

5.  The Qur’ân is the Truth from Allâh that gives us eminence

The Qur’ân is the only Book  wherein Allâh (S.W.T.) instructs mankind to read (73:20) and study (2:121) it for guidance (6:155; 39:18).  Once we read the Qur’ân, we learn that it is the Divine Book of Truth and Guidance from Allâh (S.W.T.).  We also understand that it is the book that gives us eminence.  Our Creator (S.W.T.) says:

“And that those on whom Knowledge has been bestowed may learn that (the Qur’ân) is the Truth from your Rabb, and that they may believe therein, and their hearts may be made humbly (open) to it:  for verily Allâh is the Guide of those who believe to the Straight Way.”    (22:54)

“We have revealed for you (O mankind) a Book which will give you eminence.  Will you not then understand?”  (21:10)

The Prophet (s.a.w.s.)  likewise taught us the importance of the Qur’ân as one that raises our status as believers.  Some of the authentic Ahâdîth  that should encourage us to recite and learn the Qur’ân by heart are the following:

‘Aishah  (radhiallâhu anha)  narrated that  the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)  said,  “Such a person as recites the Qur’ân and masters it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven). And such a person exerts himself to learn the Qur’ân by heart, and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward.”   (Bukhâri 6/459)

Abu  Musa al Hashari (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)  said,  “The example of a believer who recites the Qur’ân is that of a citron (a citrus fruit) which is good in taste and good in smell. And the believer who does not recite the Qur’ân is like a date which has a good taste but no smell. And the example of an impious person who recites the Qur’ân is that of Ar-Rihana (an aromatic plant) which smells good but is bitter in taste. And the example of an impious person who does not recite the Qur’ân is that of a colocynth which is bitter in taste and has no smell.”   (Bukhâri  6/538, 9/649 and 7/338)

Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that Allâh ’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said,  “Learn and recite the Qur’ân, for to one who learns, recites and uses it in prayer at night, it is like a bag filled with musk whose fragrance is diffused everywhere; and he who learns it and goes to sleep having it within him, is like a bag with musk tied up in it.”  (Tirmidhi 2143,  Nasa‘i and Ibn Majah)

Anas bin Malik (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said,  “A believer who recites the Qur’ân is like a citron whose fragrance is sweet and whose taste is sweet, a believer who does not recite the Qur’ân is like a date which has no fragrance but has sweet taste, a profligate who recites the Qur’ân is like basil whose fragrance is sweet but whose taste is bitter, and the profligate who does not recite the Qur’ân is like the colocynth which has a bitter taste and has not fragrance. A good companion is like a man who has musk; if nothing of it goes to you, its fragrance will (certainly) go to you; and a bad companion is like a man who has bellows; if its (black) root does not go to you, its smoke will (certainly) go to you.”    (Abu  Dawud  4811)

In Islâm, Muslims give due respect to every  Imam (one who knows the Qur’ân and the Sunnah and leads the prayer).  Among the learned Muslims, the one who is given the authority to lead the congregational prayer is the one who knows the Qur’ân most:

Amr bin Salam (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)  said  “…Let the one amongst you who knows Qur’ân most should lead the prayer.”    (Bukhâri   5/595)

Abu  Said Al Khudri (r.a.)  narrated that Allâh ’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said,  “When there are three persons, one of them should lead them. The one among them most worthy to act as Imam is one who is best versed in the Qur’ân.”    (Muslim  1417)

The Qur’ân (which includes the Sunnah) develops every man’s total personality – one that pleases Allâh  and His Messenger (s.a.w.s.). One very important virtuous conduct that we acquire by learning the Qur’ân is honesty.  The Qur’ân, therefore, is Allâh’s great blessing to us that increases our eminence.  It is something that gives those who recite it worthy of admiration and respect:

Hudhaifa (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said to us, “Honesty descended from the Heavens and settled in the roots of the hearts of men (faithful believers), and then the Qur’ân was revealed and the people read the Qur’ân, (and learnt it from it) and also learnt it from the Sunnah.”  Both Qur’ân and Sunnah strengthened their (the faithful believers’)  honesty.”  (See Hâdîth  No. 208) .”   (Bukhâri  9/381)

Abu  Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that Allâh ’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said,  “Do not wish to be the like of (somebody)  except the like of two men: a man whom Allâh  has given the Qur’ân and he recites it during the hours of the night and the hours of the day, in which case one may say, ‘If I were given the same as this man has been given, I would do the same as he is doing.’ The other is a man whom Allâh  has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, in which case one may say, ‘If I were given the same as he has been given, I would do the same as he is doing.’”  (Bukhâri   9/619)

Knowing the importance of learning the Qur’ân, the Prophet (s.a.w.s.)  also encourages us to teach it.  Learning the Qur’ân and teaching it to others, likewise, increase our eminence.  We become among the best Muslims as stated in the following Hâdîth:

Uthman (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said,  “The best among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur’ân and teach it.”   (Bukhâri  6/545)

 

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