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Friday Talks |
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Koran Reciting
Written by: Sk. Omar Kadrawi
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
14 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1431
28 May 2010
Allah has honored the Islamic nation over any other by the revelation of the holy Koran on to them. Allah says: {then We gave the Scripture as inheritance unto those whom We elected of Our slaves} 35:32.
Dear brothers, today we talk about another type of remembering Allah which is Reciting Koran. For one of the greatest types of remembering Allah is reciting and studying His words.
1) Allah praises and complements this who recites Allah’s book
One of the greatest graces of the Koran is that it is the word of Allah, and Allah praises and commends it when he says: {and this is a blessed book we sent down} 6:92.
Dear Muslims, this Koran is the glory, pride and dignity of this nation and its happiness in this life and the life after. Whoever seeks glory in other than the Koran will be let down, and whoever seeks pride in other than the Koran will only find degradation. And whoever seeks dignity in other than the Koran will only find humiliation. And whoever seeks happiness in other than the Koran will only find misery. This is the truth; and listen to Allah’s words: {But if there comes unto you from Me a guidance, then whoso follows My guidance, he will not go astray nor come to grief. (123) But he who turns away from remembrance of Me, his will be a narrow life, and I shall bring him blind to the assembly on the Day of Resurrection. (124) He will say: My Lord! Why have You gathered me blind, when I was able to see? (125)He will say: So (it must be). Our revelations came unto you but you did forget them. In like manner on this day you are forgotten. (126) Thus do We reward him who is reckless and who does not believe the revelations of his Lord; and verily the doom of the Hereafter will be sterner and more lasting} 20:122-126.
Allah says: {Those unto whom We have given the Scripture, who recite it with its deserving recitation, they believe in it. And whoso disbelieves in it, those are the losers} 2:121. Allah also says: {Those who recite the book of Allah, and establish worship prayers, and spend of that which We have bestowed on them secretly and openly, they look forward to a business of imperishable gain. That He will pay them their earnings and increase them of His grace. He is Forgiving and Thankful} 35:28-29.
2) The messenger ppbu complementing this who recites Allah’s book
The messenger ppbu said: {The best of you is this that learns the Koran and teaches it}. The messenger ppbu also said: {This who recites the Koran and is skillful at it then he/she is with the scriber, the noble and the righteous. And this who recites the Koran and he/she stutters or struggles with it and finds it difficult then he/she has two rewards}. The messenger ppbu also said: {the believer or faithful who recites the Koran is like a citron fruit that smells good and tastes good. And the believer or faithful who does not recite the Koran is like the date fruit that has no smell but has a good taste. And the hypocrite who recites the Koran is like the basil flower that has a good smell but has a sour taste. And the hypocrite who does not recite the Koran is like the bitter melon that has no smell and has a sour taste}.
The messenger ppbu said: {There should be no envy except in two matters: A man who was given the Koran by Allah, so he stays up with the Koran part of the night and part of the day. And a man who was given riches and he spends it in charity during the night and during the day}. The messenger ppbu also said: {This who recites the Koran is told: read on and get elevated. Recite as you used to recite in the first life, for your status will be determined at the last verse you read}.
The messenger ppbu also said: {This Koran is the banquette of Allah, so approach His banquette as often and as close as you can. This Koran is the strong robe or tie to Allah, and it is the clear light and a useful treatment and healing. It is infallibility to those who stick to it and it is an escape for those who follow it. Koran does not go astray such that it needs to be rebuked, nor does it bend such that it needs straightening or correcting. Its wonders never cease or end, it does not become outdated through repetition. Recite it, for Allah is rewarding you for that. Whoever reads one character off the book of Allah then they are rewarded one point. And every good point is worth ten points. I do not mean to say that “ALM” or “Ã á ã” is one character, rather, “A” is a character, and “L” is a character, and “M” is a character}.
The messenger ppbu also said: {Allah may He be exulted says: whoever gets busy or distracted from asking me because of the Koran and because of remembering me; then I will give him/her the best of what I give those who ask. And the grace of the words of Allah over the rest of the spoken words is just like the grace of Allah Himself over his creations}. The messenger ppbu also said: {recite the Koran, for Allah does not punish a heart that is aware of the Koran. And this Koran is a banquette of Allah, whoever includes himself into it then he/she is safe. And glad tidings to this who loves the Koran}.
The messenger ppbu said: {keep on revising the Koran. For I pledge by Allah that the Koran is worse at slipping off; than camels are at slipping off when they are tied down}. So, you Muslims do not desert the Koran. With some of us; days and months pass without them reciting Koran except what they read while doing their daily prayers. A Muslim ought to leave a bit of time each and every day specifically for a part of the Koran and keep up reading so he/she would not be a Koran deserter.
3) How did the companions deal with the Koran?
The companions of the messenger ppbu have a special case with the book of Allah, reading, reciting and studying. The Koran was the banquette round which the messenger ppbu taught them. He was able to get their hearts and minds clinging to the Koran. Abo-Bakr was known to be constantly reciting the Koran, and often used cry while reciting. Round the messenger’s death, the messenger ppbu asked him to lead the people. Aesha his daughter said to the messenger: “He is a weak man who has no control over his eyes when he recites the Koran”.
Omar ebn A-Khuttab on the other hand had a special place in his heart and soul for the Koran. He kept his tong busy reciting Koran the most part of night and day. He used to often after Duha prayer (sun up to mid-day) some of the young people to join him and sit to recite and study the Koran. He used to love listening to Koran recitation from someone else. Whenever he saw Musa Al-Ash3ary he used to say to him: “Aba-Musa, remind us of our God” and Musa used to recite for him. Whenever he used to listen to the Koran he used to get overwhelmed and cry, and many times used stay at home as if he was sick.
Authman ebn 3affan never missed one night without looking into the Koran and reciting some of its verses. He said once: “I hate if a day of a night go by without me looking into the Koran”. He used to know the entire Koran by heart and many a night he used to be heard reciting Koran in his home.
That is how the companions of the messenger ppbu used to be with the book of Allah: reading, reciting, studying and living by its rulings.
Slaves of Allah, remember that the greatest non-compulsory deed one could do to get closer to his God is reading, reciting, listening and studying and understanding Koran frequently. Khubab said to a man once: “Get closer to Allah as much as you can. And nothing will get you closer to Allah which is more loved to Him than with His words”. Othman said: “If your hearts were pure then they would never have enough of Allah’s words”. Abdul-Allah ben Masoud said: “Whoever loves the Koran then he/she loves Allah and the messenger of Allah”.
Notes:
Adhan - The call to prayer.
- The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
- is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Aya (or Ayah):
- is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)
Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.
- talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.
Duaa: a prayer in the form of
Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh - Religious law.
Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.
Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman: belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.
Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."
Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.
Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".
Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.
Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.
Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.
Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.
Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam- Fasting
Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.
Surah - A chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.
Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor - The Psalms
Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
