By Ml Ashraf Ali Thanwi RA

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said: "Continue reciting the Qur'aan because on the Day of Qiyaamah it will appear as an intercessor for the reciter." (Muslim) The intercession of the Qur'aan will result in the reciter being pardoned.

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alyhi Wa Sallam said: "On the Day of Qiyaamah the Qur'aan will petition Allah to cloak the one who had recited it with garments of honour and respect. A crown of honour will then be placed on the head of the reciter. The Qur'aan will then petition Allah Ta'ala to shower His pleasure on the reciter. Allah will then become pleased with him. The reciter will then be asked to recite the Qur'aan, thereby attaining higher ranks of elevation. In reward for each aayat a virtue will accrue to him." (Tirmithi and Ibn Khuzaimah)

Another hadith as well describes the elevation of ranks by means of reciting the Qur'aan in the Hereafter. The hadith states: "Continue climbing (higher and higher in rank) with your recitation in the same way as you recited with care and concern on earth. Your abode (of residing) is located (at that rank attained) with the last aayat recited." (Tirmithi, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibbaan)

One should reflect and take advantage of this great treasure in store in the Aakhirah, by striving in the recitation of the Qur'aan. Effort should be made to secure this wonderful wealth for one's offspring. If one experiences difficulty in memorising or in reciting, one should never lose hope and give up the recitation. Even reciting in such circumstances is highly meritorious as has been explained earlier. If unable to commit the Qur'aan to memory, then merely recite it (by way of Naatharah i.e. looking inside and reading). Impart this recitation to others as well. The significance and thawaab are indeed great.

The acquisition of the ways and means of a practice or act which is incumbent and rewardable is also incumbent and rewardable. Like it is essential to render the act or practice so too is it essential to acquire its ways and means. This is a simple and self-evident fact. It is therefore incumbent to make the necessary arrangements for learning and teaching the Qur'aan Majeed. The ways and means of rendering this duty is to establish a Maktab (or Madrasah) in your locality so that children can be taught to recite the Qur'aan Majeed. Adults too should devote some time towards this acquisition. If a free instructor or teacher is not available, the community should engage a salaried teacher.

Boys who have acquired the knowledge of reciting at the Madrasah should teach it to the females at home. In this way all males and females will be able to recite the Qur'aan Majeed. If anyone is unable to recite the Qur'aan, he/she should at least memorise a few Surahs.

Besides the above, there are some other Huqooq (rights and demands) of the Qur'aan Majeed. These are:

a. Once the Qur'aan Majeed has been learnt it should never be forgotten. Whatever part/s have been learnt should always be remembered .

b. A person who wishes to learn the translation of the Qur'aan Majeed should not undertake the task by means of self-study. In self- study of the Qur'aan's translation is the grave danger of misunderstanding. Its translation should be studied under the guidance of an Aalim.

c. The Qur'aan Majeed demands the utmost respect and reverence. Never stretch the legs in its direction nor turn your back to it. Do not sit higher than the Qur'aan Majeed and do not place it on the ground. Place it on a desk or pillow or any high place.

d. Torn, tattered and unusable pages and copies of the Qur'aan Majeed should be wrapped in a clean cloth and buried in such a spot which will not be trampled underfoot.

e. When reciting the Qur'aan Majeed contemplate that you are conversing with Allah Ta'ala. The spiritual light with which the heart will then become imbued will be vividly perceived.