The Qur’an is Allah’s message to humanity. It unearths the latent potential in man and helps him deal with human weaknesses. It chalks out the path for those who aspire the love of their Creator and promotes brotherhood, justice and compassion. It calls on humans to use their intellect and reflect on the world around them. The Qur’an is referred to as “ruh” (life giving inspiration); the Qur’an inspires and sustains our intellectual, moral and spiritual life.

 

A scholar states: Allah appointed Jibraeel n to reveal the Qur’an; he was thus made the most superior of all angels. Allah chose Nabi g as the recipient and messenger of this Qur’an; he was thus made the most noble of all Prophets. Allah chose the month of Ramadan for the revelation of the Qur’an; it was made the most noble of all months. Allah revealed the Qur’an on a particular night and it was crowned as the Night of Power, better that a thousand months. Allah chose this Ummah as recipients of the Qur’an; and we became the best of nations. Allah says: “We have surely revealed to you a Book, in which there is glory for you. Will you not then understand?” (21:10)

 

The Qur’an is a source of honour, nobility and distinction for anything or anyone that is associated with it. Our honour or dishonour is directly related to our commitment to the Qur’an. Nabi g has said: “Indeed, Allah elevates some people by (virtue of) this Book and abases others.” (Muslim)

 

What is your relationship with the Qur’an? How much time do you spend, reading, learning, propagating and understanding the message of your Creator?

 

You can develop a stronger bond with the Qur’an by:

Reciting it:
“Verily the one who recites the Qur’an beautifully, fluently and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, he will have twice that reward.” (Bukhari and Muslim) How often do we recite the Qur’an?

 

Listening to it:
“So, when the Qur’an is recited, listen to it, and be silent that you may receive mercy.” (7:204) Listening to the Qur’an attracts the mercy of Allah and brings contentment of the heart. Listening to its recitation is the perfume of the soul, the calmer of the heart, and the food of the spirit.

 

Understanding it:
“Will they not then ponder over this Qur’an or are there locks upon their hearts?” (47:24) Fudhayl r says: “The Qur’an was revealed to be implemented, but people made its recitation their aim.” People asked, “How do we implement the Qur’an?” He replied, “By holding its permissible acts to be permissible and its prohibited acts to be prohibited, abiding by its orders and abandoning its prohibitions, and reflecting on its wonders.” Allah likens those who have a superficial relationship with their scripture; to a donkey that carries books but is blissfully unaware of its worth: “The likeness of those who are entrusted with the Taurah, yet apply it not, is as the likeness of an ass carrying books…”(62:5)

 

Interacting with it:
“And when he (Nabi g) recited the verses which referred to the Glory of Allah, he glorified Him, the Great, and when he recited the verses that mention supplication, he supplicated, and when he recited the verses that mention seeking refuge of Allah, he sought (His) refuge.” (Muslim)

 

Submitting to it:
“When Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter, it is not for a believing man and a believing woman to claim freedom of having an option in so far as they themselves are concerned. Whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has evidently gone astray. (33:36) How often do we turn to the Qur’an looking for guidance and answers?

 

Memorising parts of it:
Nabi g said: “The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” (Bukhari) He further said: “He in whose heart there is no part of the Qur’an is like a deserted house.” (Tirmidhi) Are our hearts desolate abodes of decay and ruin?

 

Seeking therapy from it:
“O Mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord and a healing for that which is in your breasts, a guidance and a mercy.” (10:57) The Qur’an provides comfort to the anxious, hope to the despondent, courage to the faint-hearted, faith to the despairing and direction to the confused. Does the Qur’an serve as our oasis?

 

No relationship is complete without a strong bond and understanding. The more you understand, the better your relationship gets.