by Ml Ashraf Ali Thanwi RA

"A person whose breast is devoid of the Qur'aan (i.e. he has not learnt anything of the Qur'aan Majeed) is like a desolate house." (Tirmithi)

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said: "On the Day of Qiyaamah a crown of such brilliance will be placed on the heads of the parents of one who learnt the Qur'aan and practised on its laws, that its glitter will outshine the brilliance of the sun which penetrates your houses. What then do you think will be the position of the one who himself learnt the Qur'aan and acted in accordance with it?" (Ahmad and Abu Dawood)

This hadith mentions the great significance of teaching the Qur'aan Majeed to children. It is incumbent, therefore, upon Muslims to ensure that their children learn to recite the Qur'aan Majeed. If for some reason they cannot or do not gain the opportunity of committing the Qur'aan Majeed to memory (Hifz) then at least they should learn it by reciting from the text (Naatharah). However, wherever the opportunity exists for imparting Hifz to the children, advantage should be taken to acquire this great wealth. Indeed it is a wonderful bounty. If for some reason the child does not have the time for learning the whole Qur'aan, then even a portion should be taught to him/her. This hadith exhorts even the acquisition of a portion of the Qur'aan Majeed.

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said: "He who recites the Qur'aan, memorises it, accepts its Halaal (lawful things) as Halaal and Haraam (forbidden things) as Haraam (i.e. his beliefs in these matters are correct), Allah Ta'ala will enter him into Jannah and accept his intercession on behalf of ten such persons of his family upon whom entry into Jahannum has become incumbent (i.e. Allah Ta'ala will forgive them because of his intercession)." (Ahmad, Tirmithi, Ibn Majah, Daarami)

The significance of committing the Qur'aan Majeed to memory mentioned in this hadith is far greater than that mentioned in the Hadith. Among one's family members, the closest to one are one's parents. Hence, in terms of the assurance of intercession stated in the hadith the Hafiz's intercession for his parents is a certainty. Parents should now realise the tremendous importance and advantage of making their children Huffaaz of the Qur'aan Majeed.

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said: "Hearts (of people) also corrode like steel rusts when exposed to moisture." Someone asked: 'O Rasulullah! What is its polish?' Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam replied: 'Remembering Maut in abundance and recitation of the Qur'aan." (Baihaqi — Shu'bul Imaan)

Sayyadina Jaabir RA said: "Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam once came to us while we were engaged in reciting the Qur'aan. Among us were some village-folk and non-Arabs (i.e. some people who were not able to recite the Qur'aan properly). Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said: 'Continue reciting. All are reciting well.' (Abu Dawood, Baihaqi)

From this it will be realised that even if one lacks the ability to recite superbly, one should continue reciting so that the heart becomes adorned. Those who have the ability to recite superbly should not be scornful of those who lack the ability. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam encouraged all to recite the Qur'aan Majeed even if the recitation is not up to the correct standard.

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said: "He who listens to even a single aayat (being recited by another) obtains such a virtue which perpetually multiplies (it increases in Thawaab continuously). The one who recited the aayat will on the Day of Qiyaamah find the recited aayat in the form of a Noor (which will be of greater value and significance than the virtue which accrued to the one who had listened to the recitation)." (Ahmad)

If one is unable to recite, one should always listen to the recital of others. Such listening is rewarded with considerable Thawaab. There is absolutely no difficulty involved in the obtainal of such great Thawaab by such a simple method.