The Holy Quran

By Um Musaab

The Holy Quran is the word of Allah addressed to us and we should therefore treat it with due respect. One of the prime conditions for handing the Quran has been said in the book itself: "A book well regarded which none shall touch but those who are clean" (Quran 56:78-9) This means that in order to touch the Quran one needs to be in a state of ritual purity (tahara) to be obtained through wudu or ghusl, as the case maybe. When taking up the Quran for study, recitation and reflection it must be done withthe intention to seek Allah's pleasure.Although worldly gain may be found in the revelation from Allah, as may be derived from practices in religion and Islam the true servant of Allah is concerned with the world to come and considers his actions here and now as preparation for the life to come.In Hadith reported by Ubaida Al-Maliki, the Prophet Mohammed said "O ye who believe in the Quran, do not make it a pillow, but correctly recite day and night and popularize its recitation.[Hadith: Bahiqi]Pronounce its words correctly and whatever is said in the Quran you should think over to take guidance from it so that you may become successful and never think of gaining worldly benefits through it but recite it to secure God's pleasure.There are a number of points in this advice from the narrator, Prophet Mohammed, which we need to consider:* Recite it day and night: This implies a regularity of Quranic recitation which should be a continuous preoccupation.* Popularize it: This implies one should firstly observe the instruction to recite regularly then secondly invite and give encouragement to others.* Pronounce its words correctly.* Think over it: This implies the need to understand what one recites.* Recite, reflect, seek guidance and act upon it for the sake of Allah alone.How to recite the Quran?Allah the Most High says:And recite the Quran in a slow pleasant tone" Al-Muzzammil4. Therefore, read the Quran slowly for this will help you understand and ponder over the Quran. It is preferred that one reads the Quran slowly, beautifying one's voice along with fulfilling the rules of reciting the Quran and not hastening in one's recitation of its Chapters and Verses.The reciter should invoke Allah by what he wills after he finishes reading the Quran. Also seek an approach to Allah by reciting it for indeed it is the righteous act that causes the acceptance of one's supplication.The Quran is either for, or against you:The reciters of the Quran are divided into two categories:* First: The one who recites the Quran and it becomes a proof for him on the day of Judgment. This is for he who acts by the orders of the Quran and stays away from that which the Quran forbids. He who makes permissible that which the Quran makes permissible and makes forbidden that which the Quran forbids.* Second: The one who recites the Quran but it becomes a proof against him on the day of Judgment.This refers to the one that neither does any act by the orders of the Quran, nor does he refrain from what it forbids. - (KT, 23 Sep 07)