CHAPTER-1
AL-QURAN IS THE BOOK OF ALLAH
Al-Qur’an is
the name of the last revealed book of Allah which forms the holy or
religious scripture of Islam. It was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),
the last messenger of Allah to mankind, in parts in a span of twenty
two and half years between 610 A.D. to 632 A.D. i.e. from his
appointment as apostle at the age of forty till his death at the age
of sixty three. The first revelation was made on 27th of
Ramadan 13 years before Hijrah and the last on 9th of Zil
Hijah of 10th A.H. The period comprises 12.5 years of
Prophet’s life at Makkah during which 90 or 91 Surahs (chapters)
were revealed and last 10 years of Prophet’s life at Madinah during
which 23 or 24 Surahs are reported to have been revealed. The Surahs
revealed during Prophet’s Makkan period i.e. between the first
revelation to migration are called Makki Surahs, and the Surahs
revealed during Prophet’s Madinan period i.e. from migration in 622
A.D. till his demise in 632 A.D. are called Madni Surahs. The Madani
Surahs are longer and mostly contain instructions regarding socio
economic system, law and justice, political order and war. The Makki
Surahs are shorter ones and generally contain instructions regarding
belief, prayer, and patience, Hereafter, reward and punishment,
resurrection after death, Hell and Paradise.
It’s Division
The Qur’an
comprises 114 Surahs (chapters) divided into 6236 (if Bismillah is
included then 6349) ‘Ayahs’ (Verses). The Surahs are of various
lengths, the largest (Surah No 2) comprising one twelfth of the
entire book has 286 Ayahs, and the smallest (Surah 108) only 3
verses. Each Surah bears a name taken from something mentioned in
it, e.g. the second Surah is called “Baqarah” (the ‘cow’) because of
the mention of a cow which the children of Israel were required by
the Lord to sacrifice. In every case (except Surah nine) all the
Surahs are introduced by “Bismillah”, which means “in the name of
Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.” Of these Surahs, 29 are such
which begin with the letters or alphabets (such as Alif Lam Mim)
that are mysterious and have always been the object of explanations
and comments among scholars of the Qur’an, but none knows their
exact meanings except God Himself. For the convenience of reader or
reciter, the Qur’an is also divided into 30 paras (or parts) and 7
manazal (or portions). The arrangement of Ayahs and Surahs is not in
order in which they were revealed, but in accordance with a plan
sanctioned by the Prophet himself under guidance of Allah. Most of
the verses which embody rules of law were revealed to settle
questions that actually arose for decision. That may be one of the
reasons why the book was revealed in stages. To this fact reference
is also found in the Qur’an itself in its verses 32 and 33 of
chapter 25 (Surah Al-Furqan). Mainly the law of Islam is found in
chapters 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 17, 22, 24, 33, 49, 58 and 65 of the Qur’an.
Its Names
The term
Qur’an is used in two ways: as participle it means to read; as an
object, it means a thing which is read. The Qur’an calls itself by
the following additional names; Al-Kitab 2:2; Al-Furqan 25:1 (a
criterion of right and wrong); Al-Zikr 15:9 (the reminder); Al-Hakim
36:2 (the wise); Al-Mauizah 10:57 (the admonition); Al-Hukm 13:37
(the judgement); Al-Shifa 10:57 (that which heals); Al-Huda 72:13
(the guidance); Al-Tanzil 26:192 (the revelation); Al-Rahmat 17:82
(the mercy); Al-Bayan 3:137 (statement); Al-Nimat 93:11 (the
blessing); Al-Khair 2:105 (the goodness); Al-Burhan 4:175 (the clear
argument); Al-Qayyim 18:2 (the maintainer); Al-Muhaiman 5:48 (the
guardian of previous revelations); Al-Nur 7:157 (the light); Al-Haqq
17:81 (the Truth). Some qualifying epithets have also been attached
with its name such as Al-Mubin 12:1, Al-Karim 56:77, Al-Majid 50:1,
Al-Hakim 36:2, Al-Aziz 41-41; Mubarak 6:93, Musaddiq 6:93, Al-Azeem
15:87 etc.
It is Word of Allah and revealed in Arabic
Quran is the
word of God Himself and it was revealed to Prophet of Islam in pure
Arabic language. Allah instructs Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “And if
any of the polytheists seeks your asylum, then grant him asylum, so
that he may hear the Word of Allah (i.e. the Qur’an). And then
escort him to his place of safety. This (should be done) because
they are the people who do not know (the Qur’an)” (9:6). Again Allah
says to him: “And verily, this (Qur’an) is a revelation from the
Lord of the worlds which the Trustworthy Spirit (Angel Gibriel) has
brought down upon your heart, that you may be one of the warners, in
a plain Arabic language” (26:192-195). Addressing the people the
Qur’an says: “That this is verily the word of (Allah brought by) an
honourable messenger. It is not the word of a poet; little is it
that you believe. Nor is it the word of a soothsayer; little is it
that you remember. It is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.”
(69:40-43)
“Muslims
consider the Qur’an”, says the Encyclopedia Americana,” to be the
very words of God Himself. The messages given to Muhammad by the
angel were taken from Heavenly Book, uncreated and eternally
coexistent with God that is called the Mother of the Book or the
Well-Preserved Tablet. This eternal book represents the eternal
Speech of God, the expression of His truth and His will for the
universe. Books of previous prophets, such as the Gospel of Jesus or
the Torah of Moses, were also taken from this source. The Qur’an is
but another yet the highest and final instance, of God’s offering
guidance to straying men through Scripture brought by His chosen
messengers. Followers of previous prophets like the Christians and
the Jews had corrupted their messages, thereby necessitating the
sending down of the Qur’an to restore the purity of divine
guidance.”
It’s Collection
It is proved
by Ijma and continuity that the collection, arrangement and
compilation of the Qur’an were complete during the life-time of the
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The present arrangement of the Qur’an is
the same and there has been no change since then. The Holy Prophet
had appointed an efficient team of expert calligraphists. They are
known as writers of revelation (Katiban Wahi) whose number was 26,
but according to some they were 42. The most illustrious among
scribes were: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Zaid Bin Thabit, Abi bin
Kaab, Muadh bin Jabbal, Abdullah bin Masud, Abu Zaid, Abu Darda and
Aamer bin Fahira. The companions of the Holy Prophet used to write
and learn the Holy Qur’an by heart. Since paper was scarce, they
used to write it on the palm leaves, the epitaph of stones, and the
broad shoulder-bones of the camels and on pieces of skins. It may
not have been in a single volume at that time due to the difficulty
in the consolidation of such scattered material, yet it was
committed to memory by many reciters (Hafaaz) in arranged form. It
was also available in written form in complete shape.
Internal
evidence is provided from the following verses of the Qur’an that
the revealed book of Islam was in its written form from the very
beginning:
1)
This (the Qur’an)is the Book wherein there is not
doubt, a guidance for the God-fearing. (2:2)
2)
He has revealed unto you the Book with truth which
confirms what was revealed before it. (3:3)
3)
He it is Who has revealed unto (O Muhammad) the
Book wherein are clear verses. (3:7)
4)
That this is indeed a noble Qur’an, inscribed in a
well guarded book. (56:77-78)
During the
caliphate of Abu Bakr, almost 70 reciters (hafaaz) were martyred, so
Umar persuaded Abu Bakr to have the Qur’an compiled in a single
volume. Thus, under the orders of Abu Bakr, Zaid bin Thabit compiled
a volume of the Qur’an and from this volume copies were prepared.
One copy was retained by Abu Bakr, and after his death by Umar, who
before his death, entrusted it to his daughter Hafsah, widow of the
Prophet. By the time of the third caliph Uthman, many countries had
been conquered and various non-Arab nations had been converted to
Islam who were not familiar with the various dialects in which the
Qur’an was read. Uthman, assembled Ummah on a single dialect
(Qir’at) of Quraish. He got the volume of Abu Bakr from Hafsah and
ordered Zaid bin Thabit to prepare copies on the dialect of Quraish
which was the pronunciation of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). One copy was
sent to each province for facility of the newly converted Muslims.
The punctuation marks (A’rab) were applied to the words of the
Qur’an during the times of the Ummayyed caliphs.
It confirms previous Scriptures
The Holy
Qur’an, the revealed book of Islam, confirms the previous revealed
books like Torah which was given to Prophet Moses, Zabur (Psalms)
which was revealed to Prophet David and Injeel (the Gospel) which
was revealed to Prophet Jesus.
·
He has revealed unto you (Muhammad) the book (the
Qur’an) with truth which confirms what was revealed before it and He
revealed the Torah and the Gospel. (3:3)
·
And unto you (O Muhammad) we have revealed the
Book (the Qur’an) with the truth confirming whatever from the
Scripture was before it, and a watcher over it. (5:48)
·
And this Qur’an is not such as could ever be
produced by anyone other than Allah, but it is a confirmation of
that which was revealed before it. (10:37)
·
And before it there was the Scripture of Moses as
a leader and a mercy. And this (Qur’an) is a confirming Scripture in
the Arabic language. (46:12)
The Qur’an not
only confirms the basic teachings of these books but is also watcher
over the previous revealed books. It means that the authenticity of
these books can be judged by reference to the Qur’an. It is an
established fact that previous revealed books have not been
preserved properly in original form by their followers. These holy
books have been subjected to many alterations, modifications and
corruptions. The Qur’an only confirms those contents of the said
books which have remained safe from corruption. The confirmation of
the previous scriptures by the Qur’an proves, beyond shadow of
doubt, that the author of all these books is the same. All have been
revealed by God, the Almighty Lord of the Universe, for guidance of
man in different languages, in different ages, at different places.
Besides confirming
the preserved teachings of the previous Scriptures, the Holy Qur’an
explains, expounds and clarifies controversies and differences which
have arisen among the followers of previous Prophets.
None can change it
as God is its Protector
Qur’an is a book which is very
well-preserved. Unlike books of previous Prophets, the book revealed
to Muhammad (PBUH) is in its hundred percent original form in which
it was given to the Prophet. Books of previous Prophets were
destroyed, reconstructed with the aid of human memory and suffered
from omissions or commissions, additions or deletions. Sometimes
they were deliberately corrupted or altered for a small material
gain. Thus these previous Scriptures lost most of their original
teachings. But this is not the case with the Qur’an. The Qur’an, as
history is witness to it, has maintained its text, its language, its
words, its arrangement, its teachings absolutely in original form.
Not a single letter or a single word or a single punctuation mark
has been changed in it what to speak of any major corruption. None
could change it nor even prophet Muhammad (PBUH). In fact Almighty
God has taken upon Himself the responsibility to safeguard His last
revealed book from any corruption. God is the guardian of Qur’an and
so it would maintain itself in its original position up to Doomsday.
The Qur’an says:
·
And when Our clear verses are recited to them,
those who do not hope to meet Us say: Brings us a Qur’an other than
this or change it. Say (O Muhammad to them): It is not possible for
me to change it myself. (10:15)
·
Verily, We, even We, have revealed the Reminder
(the Qur’an), and surely We are its Guardians. (15:9)
·
And recite that (O Muhammad) which has been
revealed to you of the Book of your Lord. None can change His words
and you will find no refuge with Him. (18:27)
Muhammad Asad, a Jew turned Muslim,
who is a great scholar and commentator of the Qur’an writes while
explaining verse 9 of Chapter 15 of the Qur’an; “This prophecy has
been strikingly confirmed by the fact that the text of the Qur’an
has remained free from all alterations, additions or deletions ever
since it was enunciated by the Prophet in the seventh century of the
Christian era; and there is no other instance of any book, of
whatever description, which has been similarly preserved over such a
length of time. The early-noted variants in the reading of certain
words of the Qur’an, occasionally referred to by the classical
commentators, represent no more than differences in respect of
diacritical marks or of vocalization, and, as a rule, do not affect
the meaning of the passage in question.”
It provides
guidance in all fields of life
It is the
fundamental belief of the Muslims that their religious book,
Al-Qura’n, is complete code of human life. Al-Qur’an provides
guidance to human beings in all spheres of human activity starting
from individual to socio-political, from family life to national and
international relations, and from religious to mundane affairs. The
following verses of the Qur’an are cited to confirm that the Holy
Book of Islam provides guidance to mankind in all fields of life:-
·
And We have not revealed the Book to you except
that you may explain to them those things in which they differ.
(16:64)
·
And We have revealed the Book (the Qur’an) to you
as an exposition of everything, and a guidance and mercy and a good
news. (16:89)
·
Lo! We have revealed to you the Book for the
mankind with truth. 39(41).
Mainly the Qur’an
lays down guidelines in the following fields:
1)
Religious duties, worship of Allah and devotional
matters.
2)
Family laws-marriage, dower, divorce, Iddah, etc.
3)
Inheritance and will.
4)
Social reforms: gambling, infanticide and drinking
have been prohibited while polygamy is limited. Status of woman and
slaves raised.
5)
Penal law: Crime and punishment.
6)
Civil laws: contract, mortgage, etc.
7)
Law of evidence.
8)
Dispensation of Justice.
9)
Constitutional law and political system.
10)
Law of
war and Jihad.
11)
Economic
and financial principles-revenue, public finance, trade, sale and
purchase.
12)
International relations.
13)
Hilal
and Haram (permitted and forbidden food and other things).
14)
Do’s and
Don’ts. Commandments and prohibitions.
Its appeal to
human reason
The Qur’an, the
revealed book of Islam, does not command blind following. It does
not say that one must follow the Qur’an and believe in and act upon
its teachings without applying one’s mind. Rather it appeals to
human reason to see, to think, to reflect, to meditate and ponder
over the portraits and signs of God and then believe in Him and
follow the prophet and his teachings. The Qur’an severely condemns
those who do not think and ponder over the creations of God and over
the Qur’an. It says:-
·
This is a book (the Qur’an) which We have revealed
to you (O Muhammad) full of blessings that they may ponder over its
verses. (38:29)
·
Will they then not ponder upon the Qur’an or are
there locks upon their hearts? (47:24)
Those who remember God and ponder over
His creations and do not follow blindly the revelations of God have
been praised in the Holy Qur’an:
·
Those who remember Allah standing, and sitting and
lying down on their sides, and meditate about the creation of the
heavens and the earth (and say): Our Lord! You have not created all
this as useless. Glory be to you. (3:191)
·
And those who, when they are reminded of the
revelations of their Lord, do not fall thereat deaf and blind.
(25:73)
How to Interpret
the Qur’an
Rules regarding the interpretation of the
Qur’an are:
1-
Explanation of any verse should be searched in the
Qur’an itself.
2-
The interpretation should be in consonance with
other verses.
3-
It should be in conformity with the well
established traditions.
4-
It should not be contrary to the commonsense.
The sources for tafseer (interpretation of the
Qur’an), according to Ibn Kathir, are:
1)
The Qur’an: Explain the Qur’an with the Qur’an
itself. What is mentioned in general terms in one place in the
Qur’an is usually explained in another place.
2)
The Sunnah: When one does not find the explanation
in the Qur’an, one must look to the Sunnah because its purpose is to
explain the Qur’an and elaborate its meanings. Allah says in the
Qur’an: And now We have revealed to you (O Muhammad) the Reminder
(the Qur’an) that you may explain to mankind what has been sent down
for them….. (16:44). Again He says: And We have not revealed the
Book (the Qur’an) to you (O Muhammad) except that you may explain to
them those things in which they differ….. (16:64).
3)
The Interpretation of the companions: If one
cannot find the Tafseer in the Qur’an or in the Sunnah, he should
refer to what the companions of the Prophet have said on relevant
verse as they had first hand knowledge about the Prophet, the
revelation and the situations and incidents. Especially the leaders
and scholars among them should be looked to, such as the rightly
guided Caliphs, Abdullah bin Masuad (who is reported to have said:
No Ayah in the book of Allah was revealed but I have knowledge about
whom and where it was revealed), and Abdullah bin Abbas (about whom
the Prophet invoked Allah to teach him Fiqh in the religion and
interpretation).
4)
The Interpretation of the Tabi’in: When one is
unable to find Tafseer of a verse in the Qur’an, Sunnah or with the
companions, then he should look to the Tafseer of the Tabi’in such
as Mujahid bin Jabir, Saeed bin Jubair, Ikrima (the freed slave of
Ibn Abbas), Ata bin Abi Rabah, Al Hasan Al-Basri, Saeed bin
Al-Musayyab, Qatadah, etc.
5)
Tafseer by mere opinion has been strongly
prohibited. The Prophet is reported to have said: Whoever explains
the Qur’an with his opinion or with what he has no knowledge of,
then let him assume his seat in the Fire (Tirmizi, Nisai)
Rights of the
Qur’an
The rights of the Qur’an or, in other
words, the obligations of the people, especially of the Muslims, to
it are:
1-
That they should believe in it. It is one of the
articles of faith of a Muslim as laid down in verses 2:177, 2:285,
3:84 and 4:136 that he should believe in all the books revealed by
Allah including the Qur’an. A Muslim should believe that the Qur’an
is a book revealed by God and that it is word of God and it is Truth
and it contains nothing but the Truth. There is not even a slight
doubt about the truth of its teachings and about its guidance to the
right path. Profession of belief in the Qur’an by tongue and heart
as well as by word and deed is essential.
2-
That they should read and recite it. To recite and
read the Holy Qur’an is an act of Ibadah (devotion to Allah). As
food is the nourishment of the body, similarly recitation of the
Qur’an is nourishment for the spirit and heart of man. According to
a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), to remove the rust from the
hearts of children of Adam, the best way is to remember death and
recite the Holy Qur’an. Allah, in verse 57 of Chapter 10 of the Holy
Qur’an, calls the Qur’an a balm for the hearts, a guidance and mercy
for the believers. It is healing and mercy (17:82). Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) has been enjoined to recite the Qur’an (18:27, 29:45). The
recitation of the Qur’an at the time of Fajr (dawn) is ever
witnessed (17:78). Recitation of the Qur’an in the prayer carries
immense rewards. The manners for the recitation of the Qur’an are:
1) The reader should perform ablution or take bath if necessary; 2)
He should sit keeping his face to Qiblah; 3) He should seek refuge
of Allah from Satan, the outcast, and start with the name of Allah;
4) He should read it with correct pronunciation; 5) He should read
it slowly; 6) He should chant it with sweet and melodious voice.
According to
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “whoso reads a letter from the Book of
Allah, gets one virtue in its place, and one virtue has got ten
rewards like it. I don’t say that Alif, Lam, Mim is a letter, but
Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a Letter.” To memorize
the Qur’an by heart is even a better act in terms of virtues and
rewards. According to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), whoso makes his son
Hafaz (memorizer of the Qur’an), a crown of light would be placed on
his head on the Day of Resurrection. Those Muslims who are
illiterate and who cannot read the Qur’an are advised to listen to
it.
3-
That they should understand it. One must make
effort and exert to understand the Holy Qur’an. The Book of Allah is
not difficult to understand. Allah says in the Qur’an: And We have
made it (the Qur’an) easy in your tongue only that you (O Muhammad)
may give good tidings with it to the pious and warn therewith the
most quarrelsome people (19:97). In Chapter 54 of the Qur’an, Allah
says four times (verse 17, 22, 32 and 40): And We have indeed made
the Qur’an easy to remember (and understand), then is there any who
would remember? Therefore, one should understand and learn the
Qur’an either by learning Arabic language or with the help of
translation and commentary. Even one can learn by listening to a
scholar or a sermon or a program on TV or Radio or one can learn
Quran through a computer program.
Besides
understanding the Qur’an, it is also essential that one must
meditate and ponder over the teachings of the Qur’an as Allah likes
those who meditate over His verses and do not fall deaf and blind
thereat. (25:73)
4-
That they should act upon its teachings. The
fourth obligation of a Muslim to the Qur’an is that he should act
upon its teachings. The Quran is a book of guidance for the pious
people (2:2). Allah says: O mankind! There has come to you an
admonition (the Qur’an) from your Lord, a healing for that (disease)
which is in your hearts, and a guidance and mercy for the believers
(10:57). We must follow its teachings and consider the forbidden
things (Haram) as forbidden and permitted things (Halal) as
permitted. Its commandments and injunctions should be fully acted
upon. According to a Hadith, Allah will raise the nations to heights
with the Quran (i.e. those who act upon it) and would throw them to
the ground with the Quran (i.e. those who act contrary to its
teachings). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would make complaint to Allah on
the Day of Resurrection against those of his followers who ignore
the Quran. (Al-Qur’an 25:30)
Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) is a role model for us (Al-Quran 33:21) and his life and
conduct, according to Hadrat Aishah, was Qur’an (i.e. entirely in
accordance with Quranic teachings). The Muslims should follow their
beloved Prophet and mould their lives in accordance with the life
and conduct of Muhammad (PBUH).
5-
That they should convey its teachings to others.
The followers of Islam are duty bound to convey teachings of the
Holy Qur’an to the ignorant among them and also to the other
nations. The Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and he
was enjoined by Allah to deliver it to mankind. Allah says: O
messenger! Deliver which has been revealed to you from your Lord,
for if you do it not, then you have not conveyed His message (5:67).
The mission of Muhammad (PBUH) as messenger of Allah to mankind,
according to the Quran (3:164, 62:2), was to teach the people the
Book (i.e. the Qur’an) and wisdom. After Muhammad’s departure from
this world, no prophet would come and so it is the onerous
responsibility of his followers to convey the message of the Qur’an
to the other people and preach his teachings to them. That is why
Allah says: You (O Muslims) are the best community that has been
raised up for mankind. You enjoin what is good and forbid what is
bad, and you believe in Allah”. (Al-Quran 3:110)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said: The
best among you is he who learns the Qur’an and teaches it to
others.
What the Qur’an
says about itself
1)
It is a book revealed by Allah (2:97, 4:166,
15:87, 16:102-103, 18:1, 29:51, 32:2, 40:2, 69:41-43)
2)
It confirms and verifies the previous scriptures
(2:41, 3:3-4, 5:48, 10:37)
3)
Purpose of its revelation is to guide mankind to
right path and to bring them from darkness to light (5:15-16, 6:19,
6:92, 14:1, 16:64, 19:97, 25:1, 32:3)
4)
It is a Divine Book and it cannot be produced by
anyone besides Allah (2:23-24, 4:82, 10:37, 17:86-88, 29:48, 32:2-3,
45:2)
5)
It challenges those who doubt it as a book
revealed by Allah to bring a book or Surahs like it. (2:23-24,
10:38, 11:13-14, 52:33-34).
6)
It is guidance and admonition for mankind (25:1,
39:41, 68:52)
7)
It is healing, mercy, blessing and guidance for
believers: (7:52, 10:57, 16:64, 16:89, 17:9, 17:82, 31:2-3, 41:44)
8)
It is deafness and blindness for disbelievers and
adds to their disbelief (3:7, 9:125, 17:45-46, 46:7, 68:51-52).
9)
It is in a tablet preserved (Loh-e-Mahfooz
85:21-22)
10)
Its
protector is God Himself, none can change or destroy it (10-15,
15:9, 18:27)
11)
Revealed
in parts and in stages (17:106, 25:32-33, 87:6-7).
12)
Its
message is for all mankind (2:185, 14:1, 21:10, 39:41, 68:52, 81:27)
13)
It is
revealed in Ramadan and in a blessed night (2:185, 44:3-5, 97:1-5).
14)
It is a
criterion of right and wrong (2:185, 25:1).
15)
It is
truth from God (32:3, 35:31)
16)
Types of
its verses (3:7)
17)
It
brings warning for the evil-doers and good tidings for good-doers
(17:9-10, 17:41, 18:1-4, 19:97, 36:69-70, 46:12)
What the Traditions (Ahadith) say about it
1)
Ja’ber reported that the Messenger of Allah said
in the Farewell Pilgrimage: And I have left among you a thing which
if you adhere to, you will never be misguided after this — The Book
of Allah and what you get from me by questions (Hadis).
(Muslim)
2)
Osman reported that the Apostle of Allah said: The
best of you is he who has learnt the Qur’an and then teaches it. (Bukhari)
3)
Ibn Umar reported that the Apostle of Allah said:
There is no envy except for two: a man whom Allah has given the
Qur’an and who stands up by it throughout the night and throughout
the day, and a man whom Allah has given wealth and who spends
therefrom throughout the night and throughout the day. (Bukhari,
Muslim)
4)
Ibn Omar reported that the Apostle of Allah said:
Verily these hearts receive rust as iron receives rust when water
gets to it. It was questioned: O Apostle of Allah! And what is its
remedy: He replied: Constant remembrance of death and the
Qur’an-reading. (Baihaqi)
5)
Oqbah-b-A’mer reported that the Apostle of Allah
said: One who reads the Qur’an aloud is like one who gives alms
openly, and one who reads the Qur’an with a low voice is like one
who gives alms in secret. (Abu Daud, Nisai, Tirmizi)
6)
Ibn Abbas reported that the Apostle of Allah said:
Verily he in whose breast there is nothing of the Qur’an is like a
destroyed house. (Tirmizi (correct) Darimi)
7)
Ibn Mas’ud reported that the Apostle of Allah
said: Whoso reads a letter from the Book of Allah, gets one virtue
in its place; and one virtue has got ten rewards like it. I don’t
say that ‘Alif, Lam, Mim’ is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is
a letter and Mim is a letter. (Tirmizi (Approved))
8)
Bara’a-b-A’jeb reported that I heard the Apostle of Allah say:
Read the Qur’an with your excellent voices, because an excellent
voice adds beauty to the Qur’an. (Darimi)