| From among the punishments of sinful acts are that they cause the servant to forget himself. | |
| So, consequently when a person forgets his soul, he corrupts it, and then destroys it. If one would ask, “How does someone forget himself if he does forget? Which things does he remember?” Allaah the Most High has said,“And do not be like those who forgot Allaah (i.e. became disobedient to Allaah) and He caused them to forget their own selves.” [Sooratul-Hashr (59):19]In other words, glory is to Him, Allaah punishes the one who forgets Him with two punishments:1) Allaah forgets him.2) He causes the individual to forget himself.Allaah’s forgetting the servant involves His disregard, abandonment and neglect of the disobedient one. As a result, destruction draws closer to him than his own face and hand.As for the sinner, his forgetting himself means that the person stops thinking about the finer qualities of the soul and the things that lead to its success and well-being. He forgets all of this. The matter does not even come to mind. Nor does he bring it to mind.In addition, the disobedient servant is made to forget the diseases of the heart and soul along with the agony that accompanies them. In the end, there is no effort to remove these destructive ills that of which eventually lead him to corruption and ruin. He becomes a sick individual covered with layers of disease. The internal disorder causes destruction to spread through him. However, this negligent soul is not aware of his sickness nor does the remedy occur in his mind.This is the worst kind of punishment. What punishment is worse than an individual neglecting, and then destroying himself? He forgets the beneficial qualities his soul possesses. This rebellious servant becomes heedless of the causes of his acquiring good in this life and a permanent resting place in the abode of eternal bliss. “Sins and Their Punishments” by Ibnul Qayyim al-Jawziyyah; Pgs. 54 – 56 |
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Tag Archives: qur
Learning and Memorizing the Quran
Reciting the Qur’aan, as it is understood by our Noble and Pious Predecessors, means to act upon it and to follow it and to adhere to the lawful and abandon the unlawful – and not merely recite it with one’s tongue.
Ibn Katheer (rh) said in his Tafseer Qur’an il-Adheem, regarding the saying of Allaah:
”Those to whom We have given the Book recite it as it truly should be recited, they are the ones who (truly) believe in it. And whoever disbelieves in it, then they are the losers.”[1]
”Qataadah said: “They are the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam).”
Umar ibn al-Khattaab (radiallaahu anhu) said: “When he comes across the mentioning of Paradise, he asks Allaah for Paradise and when he comes across the mentioning of the Fire, he seeks refuge in Allaah from the Fire.”
Ibn Mas’ood said: “By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, verily its truthful recitation is that a person treats as lawful what is lawful there, treats as unlawful what is unlawful there, that he recites it just as Allaah had revealed it, that he does not give its words other than their proper meanings and does not give an interpretation to any part of it which is not its proper interpretation.”
Al-Hasan al-Basree (rh) said: “They act according to and upon its clear and manifest verses (whose meanings are clear and apparent) and they believe in its allegorical verses (whose meanings are unclear) and they entrust whatever is difficult for them (to know) to its Knower.”
Ibn Abbaas (radiallaahu anhu) said regarding “as it truly should be recited…”: “They follow it as it truly should be followed.[2]” And then he recited the verse: And by the Moon when it follows it (the Sun)[3]. He said: “Follows it.”
Ibn Mas’ood (radiallaahu anhu) said about the same verse: “They follow it as it truly should be followed.”
Umar ibn al-Khattaab (radiallaahu anhu) said: “They are the ones who when they pass by a verse mentioning mercy, they ask for it from Allaah and when they pass by a verse mentioning punishment, they seek refuge from it.”
And His saying: “They are the ones who (truly) believe in it”: is a description of the ones ‘to whom We have given the Book’ and who “..recite it as it (truly) should be recited..”[4]“
So dear reader, the meaning of reciting the Book of Allaah (Tilaawah) is to memorise it, to recite it as it was revealed to the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam), to study it and to follow it, acting upon its clear and explicit verses (following its orders and refraining from its prohibition), to believe in its allegorical verses avoiding false interpretations of such verses and to submit the knowledge of their meanings to their Knower in truth, Allaah the Exalted. If you do that then you are guaranteed Paradise as Ibn Abbaas (radiallaahu anhu) has said: “Allaah guarantees the one who reads the Qur’aan and acts upon whatever is contained within it that he will not go astray in this life and will not be wretched in the Hereafter.”
NOTES
1 Soorah Baqarah 2:121
2 “Yattabi’oonahu haqqa ittibaa’ihi” So the meaning of Tilaawah in this verse as Ibn Abbaas and Ibn Mas’ood explain is Ittibaa’
3 Soorah Shams 91:2
4 Tafseer Ibn Katheer (1/168-169)
Nine Great Benefits of Reading…
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Nine Great Benefits of Reading In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon His last Messenger Muhammad, to proceed: Indeed the Book of Allaah is not a book like any other, it is the timeless Speech of Allaah, not a created thing, a study guide for life and death and what comes after. Therefore it deserves a more careful study than anyone else’s speech. It necessitates that its reader return to the early narrations of those who witnessed its revelation and heard its explanation by the one deputed by Allaah to rehearse and explain His Words to humanity (sallallaahu ’alayhe wa sallam). For if one would try to ponder over the meanings of the verses without having done this study, then surely the filth of the time that he lives in and his ignorance of the correct application and understanding that the early Muslims had would cause him to understand some things not intended by Allaah Most High, and therefore he would go astray, thinking to be worshipping Allaah. So every sincere Muslim who hopes to earn Allaah’s Love by reciting and reflecting over Allaah’s Book, then let him hold tight to the meanings explained by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhe wa sallam), and those taught by the Companions and their immediate followers, and the early scholars of Islaam. Know that reciting and pondering over the Book of Allaah, devoting your time regularly to its study and implementation has tremendous benefits in this life and the Next, so let us now look to just a few of them to attach ourselves more firmly to Allaah’s Majestic Words. Each benefit stands as enough of an encouragement on its own for us to shun any laziness we have and dedicate ourselves to the Qur’aan properly. 1 – Reading and reflecting over the Qur’aan fulfills an Islaamic duty Indeed the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhe wa sallam) summarized this Religion with his statement: “The Religion is naseehah (sincerity)!” So then Tameem ibn Aws (may Allaah be pleased with him) then said, “We asked, ‘To whom?’” He (sallallaahu ’alayhe wa sallam) replied: “To Allaah, HIS BOOK, His Messenger, the leaders of the people, and their common folk.” [2] The sincerity that is due to the Book of Allaah, as Ibn Rajab Al-Hambalee said, includes having a strong love for it, honoring it and extolling its great status, affirming that it is the Speech of Allaah, seeking to understand its meanings, acting by it, following the orders found in it, spreading its correct understanding, continually studying it, and taking on the good manners that are encouraged in it. [3] So by reading and reflecting over the Qur’aan, one fulfills an obligation and is rewarded for that. Upon fulfilling this obligation, the Qur’aan then becomes a proof for him on the Day of Judgement! And that is our second benefit we will take by embracing this Noble Book… 2 – The Qur’aan will be a proof for us on the Day of Judgement This is due to the statement of the Messenger: “…and the Qur’aan is a proof for you or against you…” [4] So one of two things will occur with this proof, the Book of Allaah. It will either be in your favor, a proof for you on the Day when you will need every single good deed, or it will be something standing against you, the very Speech of your Creator, a proof against you! Who could be saved from the terrors of that Day if Allaah’s own Speech is against him?!?! Think carefully, dear Muslim brother or sister, about your position with the Qur’aan! Are you neglecting it, contradicting it, being heedless of its orders and prohibitions, are you thinking deeply over it?! Will it be on your side on the Day of Judgement?! O Allaah! We ask you, by Your Glorious Speech and the rest of Your beautiful Names and Attributes, to make the Qur’aan a proof for us! O Allaah! Don’t make the Qur’aan a proof against us on that Day, and save us from the hellfire! For if Allaah makes the Qur’aan a proof in our favor on that Day, then it would also be an intercessor for us, when NO intercession will take place except by His Permission. 3 – The Qur’aan will intercede for us on the Day of Judgement The proof: Aboo Umaamah relates that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhe wa sallam) said: “Read the Qur’aan, for verily it will come on the Day of Standing as an intercessor for its companions.” [5] 4 – Your status in this life will be raised In Saheeh Muslim, we find a lovely story, about how a man from the promised people of Jannah, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, and his deputy over Makkah understood this. On the authority of ’Aamir ibn Waathilah, he said that Naafi’ ibn ’Abdil-Haarith met up with ‘Umar (ibn Al-Khattaab) at (a place called) ‘Usfaan. ‘Umar used to put him (Naafi’) to work (to govern) over Makkah. So he (‘Umar) said, “Who have you put to work (to govern) over the people of the Valley (Makkah)?” He (Naafi’) said, “Ibn Abzaa.” He (‘Umar) said, “Who is Ibn Abzaa?” He (Naafi’) said, “One of our freed slaves.” He (‘Umar) said, “So you have put a freed slave in charge of them?” He (Naafi’) said, “Verily he is a recitor of the Book of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and verily he is knowledgeable of the laws of inheritance.” ‘Umar said, “Verily your Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhe wa sallam) had said: “Verily Allaah raises some people by way of this Book and lowers others by it.” [6] 5 – You will be from the best of the people ‘Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him), the third khaleefah and fourth most virtuous person on earth after the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhe wa sallam), Aboo Bakr, and ‘Umar, said that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhe wa sallam) said: “The best of you are the ones who learn the Qur’aan and teach it to others” [7] 6 – There are ten rewards for each letter you recite from the Qur’aan As an authentic hadeeth in Sunan At-Tirmithee proves: “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allaah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter, and “meem” is a letter.” [8] So increase your recitation of the Qur’aan to gain these merits, and to gain the following merit as well… 7 – The recitors of the Qur’aan will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), the Prophet’s beloved wife who held his head in her lap as he took his last blessed breaths, relates that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhe wa sallam) said: “Verily the one who recites the Qur’aan beautifully, smoothly, 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, then he will have TWICE that reward.” [9] So do not let the Shaytaan give you false excuses, such as “I am not an ‘Arab,” or “Its not my language.” This hadeeth is a firm proof against these whisperings. Dedicate yourself to the Book of Allaah, whether you are an ‘Arab or not! The excuses have been eliminated and the pathway has been cleared for you to embrace the Book of Allaah without holding back or offering excuses! And surely you will not hesitate to seek a teacher or a study circle for the Qur’aan once you hear the last and perhaps greatest benefits of reading and contemplating over the Qur’aan… 8 – The Qur’aan will lead you to Paradise The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhe wa sallam) said: “The Qur’aan is an intercessor, something given permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise; Whoever puts it behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire.” [10] 9 – Your position in Paradise is determined by the amount of Qur’aan you memorize in this life ‘Abdullaah ibn ’Amr ibn Al-’Aas heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhe wa sallam) saying: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’aan: Read and elevate (up through the levels of the Paradise) and beautify your voice as you used to do when you were in the dunyaa! For verily, your position in the Paradise will be at the last verse you recite!” [11] Know that these nine benefits, from the many benefits available, can only be attained by a sincere commitment to the Book of Allaah, not by a person’s mere statement, “I love the Qur’aan, it’s beautiful.” Rather the heart must be sincerely attached to Allaah’s Book and the limbs and tongue will follow in this attachment. You must know that only a few of the numerous benefits of reading and reflecting over the Qur’aan have been mentioned here. There are many benefits that await your reading in the Qur’aan and books of hadeeth, like the chapter of the Qur’aan that will argue on your behalf in the grave, and that it is a physical healing, a source of rest and relaxation for your heart, among many other things. And Allaah knows best. This article was taken from BAKKAHnet (www.bakkah.net) FOOTNOTES [1] written by Abul-’Abbaas, 1421-12-20, then updated 1424-09-05 [2] Saheeh Muslim #194 (1/220 of Sharh An-Nawawee) [3] refer to Jaami’ul-Uloom wal-Hikam, p.221 (Ar-Risaalah, 1417) [4] part of a hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim #533 (2/97 of Sharh An-Nawawee) [5] Saheeh Muslim #1871 (3/330 of Sharh An-Nawawee) [6] Saheeh Muslim #1894 (3/339 of Sharh An-Nawawee) [7] Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree #5027 (9/89-90 of Fat-hul-Baaree) [8] Sunan At-Tirmithee #2910; Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmithee (3/164) [9] Saheeh Muslim #1859 (3/325 of Sharh An-Nawawee); another version of this hadeeth with a slighty different wording can be found in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree #4937 (8/852 of Fat-hul-Baaree) [10] an authentic hadeeth found in Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan #124 (1/330-331 of Tarteeb Ibn Balbaan, printed by Ar-Risaalah), on the authority of ’Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood; Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Silsilatul-Ahaadeethis-Saheehah #2019 [11] Sunan At-Tirmithee #2914; Al-Albaanee authenticated it in Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmithee (3/164-165) TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING What are some dunyaa benefits of reading and reflecting over the Qur’aan? What are some benefits of reading and reflecting over the Qur’aan that one may enjoy in the Hereafter? What would you say to Muslims who are discouraged from reading the Qur’aan since they are not ‘Arabs |
