Tranquillity and true happiness lie in glorifying the Book of Allah, reading it, resorting to it as a reference and using it as a guidance. Wretchedness lies in turning one’s back on the Qur’an, degrading it and deserting it. Allah says (what means): “And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind. He will say, “My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing? [ Allah ] will say, “Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten.” [Qur’an 20: 124-126]
The blessed month of Ramadan that we live in these days should remind the believing Muslim Nation of the importance of going back truly and sincerely to the Book of Allah, the great Book that Allah has honoured by having revealed it during this month. He, The Almighty, Says (what means): “The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.” [Qur’an 2: 185]
The best way to spend time during the month of the Qur’an (Ramadan) is to give increased importance to the Qur’an by memorising, reciting, practising and contemplating it.
Let us look at our best model, the Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Ibn‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that: “The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was the most generous of people and he used to be more generous during the month of Ramadan, when he used to meet Jibreel (Angel Gabriel) and review the Qur’an with him. During this time, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was faster (in his generosity and bringing good) than a blowing wind”. [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]
We understand from this Hadith that it is recommended to review the Qur’an and study it in the month of Ramadan, even gathering in group sessions to do so. In addition, we can conclude from it that it is recommended to repeatedly recite the Qur’an during the month of Ramadan.
Many people have the mistaken idea that they should recite the Qur’an repeatedly during the day of Ramadan and then stop reciting it during the night. Some of the Salaf (righteous predecessors, may Allah have mercy upon them) used to read the entire Qur’an in Ramadan every three nights, and some used to do it every seven nights, like Qataadah, may Allah be pleased with him; others used to finish it every ten nights. Ibn Rajab, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “The Salaf used to recite the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan during prayer and other times; Qataadah used to teach the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan. Whenever Ramadan started, Az-Zuhri, may Allah have mercy on him, used to say: ‘This is the month of reciting the Qur’an and giving food’.”
During Ramadan, Allah gives honour and elevates people with the Qur’an and degrades others as a result of neglecting it. All thanks are due to Allah that the Qur’an is amongst us and it is very easy to obtain a copy: they are in the mosques, the homes, in the libraries and bookstores. In some of the Muslim countries you can even listen to it on the radio. Having the Qur’an available is a great bounty of Allah, glory be to Him. Being able to learn His Book, listen to it, and act according to it is another great favour and bounty of Allah, The Most Exalted.
The Qur’an can also be a proven evidence against all of those who neglected it when it was so easily available. Allah Almighty says (what means): “Say (O Muhammad): ‘What thing is greatest in testimony?’ Say, ‘Allah is witness between me and you. And this Qur’an was revealed to me that I may warn you thereby and whomever it reaches…’” [Qur’an 6: 19]
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The Qur’an is a proof or an evidence for or against you.” [Muslim] So we must fear Allah and pay attention to the Book of Allah, learning it, teaching it, acting according to it and applying it so that we will be among its people.
About the Qur’an, Allah Almighty says (what means):“Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward. And that those who do not believe in the Hereafter - We have prepared for them a painful punishment.” [Qur’an 17: 9-10]
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net
