The Virtues of Qur’an

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Throughout the khutba of this week, I’ll touch upon the issues linked to the virtues of Qur’an.

The Qur’an As Admonition, Guidance and a Cure for Mankind

To begin with, I’d like to mention some of the verses related to today’s topic.

“O MANKIND! There has now come unto you an admonition from your Sustainer, and a cure for all [the ill] that may be in men’s hearts, and guidance and grace unto all who believe [in Him].” (Yunus, 10:57)

“Say: “Unto all who have attained to faith, this [divine writ] is a guidance and a source of health”” (Fussilet, 41:44)

“THIS DIVINE WRIT – let there be no doubt about it is [meant to be] a guidance for all the God-conscious.” (Bakara, 2:2)

“VERILY, this Qur’an shows the way to all that is most upright” (Isra, 17:9)

The Qur’an As a Source of Light

One of the names that the Qur’an is referred to is “Al-Nur”, a source of Divine light. The Qur’an provides a divine light to believers and illuminates their paths both in this world and the hereafter.

“O MANKIND! A manifestation of the truth has now come unto you from your Sustainer, and We have sent down unto you a clear light.” (Nisa, 4:174)

The Prophet (saw) said: He who learns a verse from the Book of Allah, it will be source of light for him on the day of judgment.” (Bukhari)

The Virtues Of Reading The Qur’an

The Prophet (saw) said: “Will not any of you go to the Masjid and learn or read two verses from the Book of Allah ‘The Exalted’, Mighty and Glorified be He? (For) that is better for him than two she-camels, and three (verses) are better for him than three (she-camels), and four (verses) are better for him than four (she-camels). And the number (of verses read in total) are better than the same number of camels.” (Reported by Muslim)

The Prophet (saw) said: “Not to wish to be the like of except two men (there is no envy acceptable except in two cases): A man whom Allah has taught the Qur’an and he recites it during the hours of the night and during the hours of the day, and his neighbour listens to him and says, ‘I wish I had been given what has been given to so-and-so, so that I might do what he does; and a man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it on what is just and right, whereupon an other man May say, ‘I wish I had been given what so-and-so has been given, for then I would do what he does.” (Reported by Bukhari vol 6:544)

The Prophet (saw) said: “Whosoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a Hasanah (good deed) from it (i.e. his recitation), and the Hasanah (good deed) is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-laam-meem is (considered as) a letter (in reward), rather Alif is a letter, laam is a letter, and meem is a letter.” (Reported by At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darami)

The Prophet (saw) said: “He who is skillful in reciting the Qur’an is with the unveiled, honorable, and pious. And he who stutters when reading the Qur’an, (and its recitation) is difficult upon him, will receive two rewards.” (Reported by Bukhari)

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas: The Prophet was the most generous person, and he used to become more so (generous) particularly in the month of Ramadan because Gabriel used to meet him every night of the month of Ramadan till it elapsed. Allah’s Apostle used to recite the Qur’an for him. When Gabriel met him, he used to become more generous than the fast wind in doing good. (Reported by Bukhari vol.6:519)

The Virtue Of the Reciter of the Qur’an

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In one of his hadiths, The Prophet (saw) said: “The example of him (a believer) who recites the Qur’an is like that of a citron which tastes good and smells good. And he (a believer) who does not recite the Qur’an is like a date which is good in taste but has no smell. And the example of a dissolute wicked person who recites the Qur’an is like the Raihana (sweet basil) which smells good but tastes bitter. And the example of a dissolute wicked person who does not recite the Qur’an is like the colocynth (sour melon) which tastes bitter and has no smell. (Reported by Bukhari vol.6:538 and Muslim)

The Prophet (saw) said: “The best among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” (Reported by Bukhari, vol.6:545)

The Virtue of Studying the Qur’an

of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it between them, except that tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will befall them, the Angels will encircle them, and Allah will mention them to those who are with Him (i.e. the Angels). And he who falls short (in gaining knowledge and memorizing the Qur’an) should (be prompt in) action, (in) that which lineage* will not hasten him (to do).” (Reported by Muslim)

For example, if someone is the son of a scholar and falls short in gaining knowledge and memorizing the Qur’an, then it is upon him to hasten in redeeming himself through studying and hard work, not by relying upon his lineage, i.e. him being the son of a scholar, king, or even being of the descendants of the family of the Messenger, etc.

Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr: Allah’s Apostle said to me, “Recite the whole Qur’an in one month’s time.” I said, “But I have power (to do more than that).” Allah’s Apostle said, “Then finish the recitation of the Qur’an in seven days, and do not finish it in less than this period.” (Reported by Bukhari vol.6:574)

Different Ways Of Reciting The Qur’an

Allah’s Apostle said, “Gabriel recited the Qur’an to me in one way. Then I requested him (to read it in another way), and continued asking him to recite it in other ways, and he recited it in several ways till he ultimately recited it in seven different ways.” (Reported by Bukhari vol.6:513)

Narrated by Umar bin Khattab: I heard Hisham bin Hakim bin Hizam reciting Surat-al-Furqan during the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle, and I listened to his recitation and noticed that he recited it in several ways which Allah’s Apostle had not taught me. So I was on the point of attacking him in the prayer, but I waited till he finished his prayer, and then I seized him by the collar and said, “Who taught you this Surah which I have heard you reciting?” He replied, “Allah’s Apostle taught it to me.” I said, “You are telling a lie; By Allah! Allah’s Apostle taught me (in a different way) this very Surah which I have heard you reciting.” So I took him, leading him to Allah’s Apostle and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! I heard this person reciting Surat-al-Furqan in a way that you did not teach me, and you have taught me Surat-al-Furqan.” The Prophet said, “O Hisham, recite!” So he recited in the same way as I heard him recite it before. On that Allah’s Apostle said, “It was revealed to be recited in this way.” Then Allah’s Apostle said, “Recite, O ‘Umar!” So I recited it as he had taught me. Allah’s Apostle then said, “It was revealed to be recited in this way.” Allah” Apostle added, “The Quran has been revealed to be recited in several different ways, so recite of it that which is easier for you.” (Reported by Bukhari vol.6:561)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

May Allah open our hearts to feel the virtue of Quran, direct our minds to understand it truly and implement its rules and recommendations to our daily lives.