HOW TO MEMORIZE THE QUR'AN AND NOT FORGET IT !
Posted by: Nihal Khan July 29, 2012 in
Ramadan Mubarak to everyone! I hope your fasts and prayers are accepted by The Almighty. I feel there can't be a better time for this post than in Ramadan. This is the method I used to memorize in Qur'an back in hifdh school. I used this technique to memorize the Qur'an, alḥamdulillāh. And until now, I feel it's the reason I've been leading tarāwīḥ for close to five years now, alḥamdulillāh.
Memorizing Qur'an
It's important to understand that this process is broken into 3 categories:
1) new lesson,
2) new memorization,
3) old memorization.
I'll give a brief intro to each category and then show you how to properly memorize within each fold. It's important to understand that memorizing Qur'an for the long-term is a process which takes close to a month. Once you memorize an āyah, it won't be solid until you repeat it a number of times until it enters the deeper part of your brain.
New Lesson
This is where you will be memorizing from scratch. If you are serious about memorizing, you'll need to follow these tips exactly as they are written below.
1) Read the page 10 times while looking in from the top.
2) Read the first āyah on the page 10 times while looking in.
3) Now read the same verse 10 times without looking at it, until you can recite it without any mistakes.
4) Begin connecting the ayahs. Recite the first and second āyah together without looking in and without mistakes.
5) Keep connecting the ayaat on the page. Each time you connect a new āyah, go back to the top of the page and read till the āyah you've memorized.
6) When you reach the last āyah, you should recite the whole page from the top without looking and without any mistakes.
7) Recite the page from memory to someone. You should have zero mistakes.
8) You can repeat the above steps as needed to have a perfect page memorized.
Ramadan Mubarak to everyone! I hope your fasts and prayers are accepted by The Almighty. I feel there can't be a better time for this post than in Ramadan. This is the method I used to memorize in Qur'an back in hifdh school. I used this technique to memorize the Qur'an, alḥamdulillāh. And until now, I feel it's the reason I've been leading tarāwīḥ for close to five years now, alḥamdulillāh.
It's important to understand that this process is broken into 3 categories:
1) new lesson,
2) new memorization,
3) old memorization.
I'll give a brief intro to each category and then show you how to properly memorize within each fold. It's important to understand that memorizing Qur'an for the long-term is a process which takes close to a month. Once you memorize an āyah, it won't be solid until you repeat it a number of times until it enters the deeper part of your brain.
New Lesson
This is where you will be memorizing from scratch. If you are serious about memorizing, you'll need to follow these tips exactly as they are written below.
1) Read the page 10 times while looking in from the top.
2) Read the first āyah on the page 10 times while looking in.
3) Now read the same verse 10 times without looking at it, until you can recite it without any mistakes.
4) Begin connecting the ayahs. Recite the first and second āyah together without looking in and without mistakes.
5) Keep connecting the ayaat on the page. Each time you connect a new āyah, go back to the top of the page and read till the āyah you've memorized.
6) When you reach the last āyah, you should recite the whole page from the top without looking and without any mistakes.
7) Recite the page from memory to someone. You should have zero mistakes.
8) You can repeat the above steps as needed to have a perfect page memorized.
New Memorization
This is the amount of Qur'an which you've memorized in the last 30 days. Take this part seriously, it'll determine if the ayaat you memorized will be solid for your life or not. (Retaining/reviewing Qurʾān is a 25 day process. After those 25 days, reviewing once a month will suffice. This will lead to the 'old memorization' which we'll speak about).
1) Whatever you review in this section, you MUST recite it to someone who has either memorized the ayaat or is well-versed in reading the Qur'an.
2) If you've memorized five pages in the last five days, you must recite them to yourself until you don't make any errors. Then go recite it to a teacher.
3) From this point on, whatever you memorize, it MUST be read daily. When I say read, it means reviewed to yourself without mistakes AND recited to someone else.
4) If for some reason you didn't review your 'new memorization' for the day, then don't memorize new ayaat. You're pouring water into a cup w/ a hole. Each day you don't review the 'new memorization,' you're making the hole in your cup bigger and bigger until you won't remember anything! (If you did not review a page for seven days consecutively, go back to the 'new lesson' and re-memorize the page).
5) I sound somewhat redundant here, because I can't lay anymore importance on how much you need to review the 'new memorization.' It'll make/break your hifdh.
6) If you memorize a page a day, you'll finish a juz in 20 days. After these twenty days, take five extra days to review the whole juz with someone proficient.
7) The juz you've memorized will now be considered part of your 'old memorization.'
Old Memorization
This is anything you've reviewed for at least twenty-five days consecutively. The amount you review depends on how much Qur'an you've memorized. Once you've memorized the Qur'an (which I pray is soon for all of you seeking to memorize it), new lessons and new memorizations will come to a halt, and you'll be left with the old memorization. This will continue for the left of our lives till death does us part.
1) Daily review
Between 1-3 juz, you should review five pages daily.
Between 4-7 juz you should review 10 pages (which equals half the juz) daily.
Between 7-15 juz, you should review 20 pages (which equals one juz) daily.
Between 15-20 juz, you should review 30 pages(which equals 1.5 juz) daily.
Between 20-30 juz, you should review 60 pages (which equals 2 juz) daily.
2) Read the juz to yourself then recite to a teacher/hafidh.
This process will continue for the rest of your life.
3) In the 'old memorization,' you should not get more than four mistakes, or four stutters in a juz.
A mistake classifies as reading something incorrectly and not being able to correct it. A stutter classifies reading something incorrectly, being sent back a few ayahs to correct it, and finally reading it correctly. At the same time, you should be make more than one mistake or one stutter for every five pages you read.
Concluding remarks
When I found a verse to be hard, I would look into the mushaf and write it somewhere. At times I would also listen to recitations to ease the memorization for me (I recommend Sh. Husary). Sometimes looking in and repeating it won't make the verse stick, so do whatever it takes to memorize it!
If you falter somewhat in the old memorization, it's ok. Just don't miss two to three days at once. Reading Qur'an is a lifetime endeavor.
Reviewing is more important than memorizing.
Focus on perfecting your 'new lesson' and 'new memorization.'
If you feel some part isn't strong, give preference to reviewing that part rather than memorizing something new.
Read something EVERYDAY. Not only should we do this as students of hifdh, but it should be our habit as Muslims. I'm saying, don't say “I've memorized an x amount of Qur'an today, so no need to read and reflect.” Take out some time to read and reflect on a few verses daily.
This is the optimal method which I found easy for myself to memorize. It was formulated in my fourteen-year-old mind as a Qur'an student who found it hard to memorize Allāh's book. I asked Allāh's help, and I feel this method was his answer.I hope Allāh facilitates the memorization of His book for you all, and blesses you with a positively unforgettable Ramadan where you achieve all the goals of your lives.
1. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The best of you are those who learn the Qur’aan and teach it.
(Bukhaari)
2. “Why do you not go to the Musjid and learn to recite two aayaat of the Qur’aan, for this is better for you than two camels; three aayaat are better than three camels four aayaat are better than four camels, and so on.”
Camles (and all vehicles of transport) are of use in only this world while the Qur’aanic aayaat are of use in both worlds. Here camels have been mentioned by way of example because of their great value and utility to the Arabs. This is merely an illustration.
Otherwise, in actual fact, the entire universe has no comparison to even a single aayat of the Qur’aan Majeed. (Mirkaat)
Another fact which emerges from this hadith is the great thawab of learning even a part of the Qur’aan Majeed. Even a portion of the Qur’aan Majeed acquired is indeed a great and wonderful. Ni’mat bestowed by Allah Ta’ala.
3. Rasulullah (sallaallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
“He who recites the Qur’aan well and clearly is equal in rank to the Angels who record creation’s deeds. These Angels are gracious, honourable and of lofty rank. He who finds difficulty in reciting the Qur’aan will obtain a double reward.”
A double reward means: One reward for reciting and another reward for the added effort. This hadith exhorts the one who recites with difficulty to continue reciting and not give up reciting thinking that poor recital is futile. On the contrary, such recitation is highly meritorious, hence a double reward.
4. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
“A person who recites one harf (letter) of the Qur’aan, obtains one virtue; each virtue multiplies to ten virtues. I am not saying that (ALM) is one harf. But, Alif in it is one harf; the Laam in it is one harf and the Meem in it is one harf.
(Tirmizi and Daarami)
One example, viz., (ALM) has been given. Similarly, when the reciter says, (ALHAMD), he obtains fifty virtues. Allahu Akbar! What tremendous significance and reward! It is, therefore, most deplorable if one, because of neglect fails to take advantage of this great offer by not acquiring the wealth of the Qur’aan.
5. “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.”
(Tirmizi)
6. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) 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. Indded 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).
7. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
“He who recites the Qur’aan, memorizes 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 Jannat 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, Trimizi, 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 earlier hadith. Among one’s family members, the closest to one are one’s parents. Hence, in terms of the assurance of intercession sated in the hadith the Hafiz’s intercession for his parents is a certainty. Parents should now realize the tremendous importance and advantage of making their children Huffaaz of the Qur’aan Majeed.
8. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
“Hearts (of people) also corrode like steel rusts when exposed to moisture.” Someone asked: ‘O Rasulullah! (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) What is its polish? Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied: ‘Remembering Maut in abundance and recitation of the Qur’aan.”
(Baihaqi Shu’bul Imaam)
9. Hadhrat Jabbir (radiallahu anhu) said:
“Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) 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 alayhi wasallam) said: ‘Continue reciting. All are reciting well.”
(Abu Dawood, Baihaqi)
From this it will be realized 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 alayhi wasallam) encouraged all to recite the Qur’aan Majeed even if the recitation is not up to the correct standard.
10. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) 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 aayaat 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.
11. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) 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.
12. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) 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.
(Tirmizi 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.
(Tirmizi, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, Ibn Habbaan)
One should now 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 memorizing 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 thawab 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 there fore 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 madresah) 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 madresah 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 memorize 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 Alim.
C. The Qur’aan Majeed demands the utmost respect and reverance. 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 unuseable pages and copies of the Qur’aan Majeed should be wrapped in a cleans cloth and buried in such a spot which will not be trampelled 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.
May Allah [swt] allow us to memorise, benefit and implement the words of the Prophet Muhammad . O Allah, make us of those who are the People of the Qur’an, who live by the Qur’an, call to the Qur’an, judge by the Qur’an and who recite it, learn it and ponder over it night and day. O Allah let the Qur’an be a Hujjah [proof] in our favour and not against us [ameen]
40 Hadith on the Qur'an
Chapter: The Magnificence, Grandeur and Superiority of the Qur’an
وفضلُ كلامِ اللهِ على سائرِ الكلامِ كفضلِ اللهِ على خلقِه
1. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “The superiority of the speech of Allah compared to all other speech is like the superiority of Allah over His creation.”
Source: Tirmidhee no. 2926 - [Hasan]
مَا مِنَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ نَبِيٌّ إِلاَّ أُعْطِيَ مَا مِثْلُهُ آمَنَ عَلَيْهِ الْبَشَرُ، وَإِنَّمَا كَانَ الَّذِي أُوتِيتُ وَحْيًا أَوْحَاهُ اللَّهُ إِلَىَّ فَأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ أَكْثَرَهُمْ تَابِعًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ
2. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Every Prophet was given miracles because of which people believed, but what I have been given is Divine Inspiration which Allah has revealed to me. So I hope that my followers will outnumber the followers of the other Prophets on the Day of Resurrection.”
Source: Bukhari no. 4981, Muslim no. 152 - [Sahih]
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَرْفَعُ بِهَذَا الْكِتَابِأَقْوَامًا وَيَضَعُ بِهِ آخَرِينَ
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Indeed Allah, through this Book, raises some peoples and lowers others.”
Source: Muslim no. 996 – [Sahih]
Chapter: The Level of Prophethood
من قرأ القرآنَ فقد استدرج النُّبوَّةَ
بين جنبَيْه غيرَ أنَّه لا يُوحَى إليه لا
ينبغي لصاحبِ القرآنِ أن يجِدَ مع
من وجَد ولا يجهلَ مع من جهِل
وفي جوفهِ كلامُ اللهِ
3. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Whoever recites the Qur’an secures knowledge of prophethood within his ribs [bosom], though Divine Revelation is not sent upon him. It does not befit one endowed with the Qur’an that he should be indignant with those in anger, nor should he indulge in any act of ignorance with those who are ignorant, while the Speech of Allah is there in his chest.”
Source: Hakim, Targhib wa Tarhib no. 2/301 - [Sahih]
إنَّكم لا ترجِعون إلى اللهِ بشيءٍ أفضلَ ممَّا خرج منه يعني القرآنَ
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “You will not come back to Allah with anything better than that which came from Him, i.e. the Qur’an.”
Source: Mastadrik al-Hakim no. 2077 - [Sahih]
Chapter: Most Precise and Accurate
إنَّ أصدقَ الحديثِ كتابُ اللَّهِ
4. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “The most accurate and truthful speech is the Book of Allah [swt]”
Source: Nisa’i no. 1578 - [Sahih]
إِنَّمَا بعََثْتُكَ لأَبْتَلِيَكَ وَأَبْتَلِيَ بِكَ وَأَنْزَلْتُ عَلَيْكَ كِتَابًا لاَ يغَْسِلُهُ الْمَاءُ تَقْرَؤُهُ نَائِمًا وَيقَْظَانَ
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, Allah [swt] said, “I have sent you [O Prophet] in order to put you to test and put those to test through you. And I sent the Book to you which cannot be washed away by water, so that you may recite it while in the state of wakefulness and sleep.
Source: Hadith Qudsi, Muslim no. 2865a - [Sahih]
Chapter: The Qur’an is Pure and Undistorted
كَيْفَ تَسْأَلُونَ أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ عَنْ
كُتُبِهِمْ وَعِنْدَكُمْ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ أَقْرَبُ
الْكُتُبِ عَهْدًا بِاللَّهِ، تَقْرَءُونَهُ مَحْضًا لمَْ
يُشَبْ
Ibn Abbas said, “How can you ask the people of the Scriptures about their Books while you have Allah’s Book [the Qur’an] which is the most recent of the Books revealed by Allah, and you read it in its pure undistorted form?”
Source: Bukhari no. 7522 - [Sahih]
Chapter: Reciting the Qur’an is a Light for You
عليكَ بتقوَى اللهِ ، فإنَّها جِماعُ كلِّ خيرٍ ، وعليكَ بالجهادِ في سبيلِ اللهِ ، فإنَّها رهبانيةُ المسلمينَ ، وعليكَ بذكرِ اللهِ وتلاوةِ كتابِهِ ، فإنَّهُ نورٌ لكَ في الأرضِ ، وذِكرٌ لكَ في السَّماءِ
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “It is imperative for you to have Taqwa [fear/consciousness of Allah] for this is the accumulation of all good. And upon you is Jihad in the path of Allah for it is the monasticism of the Muslims. [Finally]...upon you is the Remembrance of Allah and the recitation of His Book, for it is light for you on earth and [a means by which] you will be mentioned in the Heavens.”
Source: Targhib wa-Tarhib no. 4/24, Jami as-Sagheer no. 5495 - [Sahih]
Chapter: Having doubt in the Qur’an is Kufr
5. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “…Having doubt in the Qur’an is [kufr] disbelief….”
Source: Abu Dawud no. 4603 - [Ha-san]
Chapter: The Qur’an - an Intercessor
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for the slave on the Day of Judgement. Fasting will say, ‘O My Lord! I prevented him from food and desires, so accept my intercession for him.’ And the Qur’an will say, ‘I prevented him from sleep during the night, so accept my intercession for him.’ ....thus they will intercede.”
Source: Musnad Ahmad no. 6337 - [Sahih]
Chapter: The Qur’an as your Leader – guides you to Paradise. Placing behind your back leads to Hell
6. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “The Qur’an is an intercessor and it’s intercession is accepted and its plea is believed. Whoever makes it lead him – it leads him to Paradise and whomsoever places it behind him [the result will be] he is dragged to the Fire.”
Source: Ibn Hibban no. 124, - [Sahih]
Chapter: The Qur’an is a Proof/Evidence in your Favour or against You
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Cleanliness is half of faith and Alhamdulillah [Praise be to Allah] fills the scale, and Subhan Allah [Glory be to Allah] and Alhamdulillah [Praise be to Allah] fill up what is be-tween the heavens and the earth, and prayer is a light, and charity is proof [of one’s faith] and patience is a brightness and the Qur’an is a proof on your behalf or against you.”
Source: Muslim no. 223 - [Sahih]
Chapter: Ramadhan: The Month of Various Revelations
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “The Suhuf [scrolls] of Ibrahim were revealed on the 1st night of Ramadhan. The Torah was revealed on the 6th of Ramadhan. The Injeel [Gopel] was revealed on the 13th of Ramadhan. The Zabur on the 18th of Ramadhan. And the Qur’an on the 24th of Ramadhan"
Source: Jami as-Sagheer, Suyuti no. 2734 - [Hasan]
Chapter: The Best amongst the Muslims
7. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it"
Source: Bukhari no. 5027, Tirmidhee no. 2909 – [Sahih]
8. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Allah has His own people among mankind.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, who are they?” He said: “The people of the Qur’an, the people of Allah and those who are closest to Him'"
Source: Ibn Majah no. 215 - [Hasan]
Jabir ibn Abdullah said, “Allah’s Messenger shrouded every two martyrs of Uhud in one piece of cloth and then he would ask, “Which of them knew more Qur’an?” When one of them was pointed out he would put him first in the grave"
Source: Bukhari no. 1347 – [Sahih]
Abdullah ibn Masood said, “The bearer of the Qur’an should be known by his night when the people are sleeping; by his day when people are awake; by his sadness when people are joyous; by his weeping when people are laughing.”
Source: Nawawi in Tibyan al-Adab fi Hamalatul Qur’an
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “If anyone prays at night reciting regularly ten verses, he will not be recorded among the negligent [ghafileen]; if anyone prays at night and recites a hundred verses, he will be recorded among those who are devout [qaniteen] to Allah; and if any-one prays at night reciting one thousand verses, he will be receive an immeasurable amount of reward.”
Source: Abu Dawud no. 1398 - [Sahih]
Chapter: Amongst all the Creation – Whose Faith is most astounding?
9. The Messenger of Allah said, “Whose Faith [Iman] amongst the various creations astounds you?” They [the Companions] said, “The Angels” He said, “The Angels - Why would they not Faith [when they are with their Lord]” They [then] said, “The Prophets” He said, “The Prophets receive revelation so how would they not believe?” They [then] said, “[Us] the Companions” He said, “The Companions whom are with the Prophets - so how would they not believe? - However the Faith of people which is amazing and astounding is those who come after you who find Books which has written in them revelation [the Qur’an] - and hence they believe in it and obey and follow it - they are the ones whose Faith is [truly] astounding.”
Source: Bazzar no. 3/318, Silsilah Ahadeeth as-Saheehah no. 3215 - [Sahih]
Chapter: Legislation/Judgement belongs to Allah
10. The Messenger of Allah sent Mu’adh to Yemen, so He said: “How will you judge?” He said: “I will judge according to what is in Allah’s Book.” He said, “If it is not in Allah’s Book?” He said: “Then with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah “He said: “If it is not in the Sunnah of Messenger of Allah ?” He said: “I will endeavour to make Ijtihad [exert effort to make the correct judgement].” He said: “All praise is due to Allah, the One Who made the messenger of the Messenger of Allah suitable.”
Source: Tirmidhee no. 1327
Chapter: In-fighting when Leaders do not Rule by the Qur’an
The Messenger of Allah said, “O Muhajirun, there are five things with which you will be tested, and I seek refuge with Allah lest you live to see them: Immorality never appears among a people to such an ex-tent that they commit it openly, but plagues and diseases that were never known among the predecessors will spread among them. They do not cheat in weights and measures but they will be stricken with famine, severe calamity and the oppression of their rulers. They do not withhold the Zakah of their wealth, but rain will be withheld from the sky, and were it not for the animals, no rain would fall on them. They do not break their covenant with Allah and His Messenger, but Allah will enable their enemies to over-power them and take some of what is in their hands. Unless their leaders rule according to the Book of Allah and seek all good from that which Allah has revealed, Allah will cause them to fight one another.”
Source: Ibn Majah no. 4019 - [Sahih]
Chapter: Importance of Studying and Teaching the Qur’an
11. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “This Qur’an is the Banquet of Allah. Learn as much as you can from His banquet. This Qur’an is the Rope of Allah, and it is the clear Light and [the effective and beneficial] Healing. It is a protection for the one who clings to it and a rescue for the one who follows it. It is not crooked and so puts things straight. It does not deviate so as to be blamed. Its wonders do not cease. It does not wear out with much repetition. So recite it for Allah will reward you for the recitation of every letter....” [Also Abdullah ibn Masud said, ‘This Qur’an is the Banquet of Allah. Whoever enters it is safe.’]
Source: Hakim no. 1/555, Darimi - [Sahih]
Qurtubi in his introduction to his tafsir quotes an explanation to this hadeeth as, ‘[the Banquet] is a metaphor. The Qur’an is likened to something Allah has prepared for people. They have good and benefits in it. Then He has invited them to it"
12. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “...A group of people do not gather in a house amongst the Houses of Allah [i.e. Masjid] reciting the Book of Allah and studying it between themselves – except that tranquillity descends upon them, they are enveloped by mercy and surrounded by the angels – and Allah mentions them with those with Him. [i.e. the higher angels]
Source: Muslim no. 9/1023, Abu Dawud no. 1455 - [Sahih]
Qurtubi quotes a saying in his tafsir, “The metaphor of those who recite the Qur’an without knowing its tafsir [explanation] is that of some people to whom a letter comes from their king at night when they have no lamp. They are alarmed, not knowing what the letter contains. The metaphor of the one who knows the tafsir [explanation] is that of a man who brings them a lamp so that they can read what the letter says.”
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Whoever teaches one verse of the Book of Allah Al-mighty, he will be rewarded [every time] it is recited.”
Source: Silsilah Ahadeeth as-Saheehah no. 1335 - [Sahih]
Chapter: Parents Honoured due to a Child’s Relationship with the Qur’an
13. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Whoever recited the Qur’an, studied it, and acted according to what it contains; on the Day of Judgment his parents will be dressed with a crown of light, its brightness is like that of the sun. And his parents will be adorned with two bracelets, of which the whole world is not equivalent to them [in worth]. So they will say, ‘Why are we being adorned with these?’ It will be said, ‘This is because of your child taking [the recitation, teaching and acting upon] the Qur’an.”
Source: Hakim, Targhib wa Tarhib - [Sahih]
Chapter: A Warning Not to Learn the Qur’an From…
14. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Learn [study] the Qur’an, and ask Allah [swt] to grant you Paradise by it, before when there comes people who learn it and ask by it, the worldy pleasures. Indeed, the Qur’an is learnt by three types of people:
- A man who shows off by it
- A man who eats by it [money, dunyah]
- A man who recites it for the sake of Allah [swt].”
Source: Baihaqi, Shu’b al-Iman no. 2405 - [Sahih]
15. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Read the Qur’an and act by it. And do not abandon it, do not exceed its limits, do not eat with it [i.e. money] and do not seek more by using it.”
Source: Variation quoted by Nawawi in Tibyan, Sahih al-Jami no. 1168 - [Sahih]
Chapter: A Warning to those who Misuse the Qur’an and have an Incorrect/Corrupt Intention
16. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “[on the Day of Judgement]…and a man who acquired knowledge and taught others, and read Qur’an. He will be brought, and Allah will re-mind him of His blessings, and he will acknowledge them. He [swt] will say, ‘What did you do with them?’ He will say, ‘I acquired knowledge and taught others, and read the Qur’an for Your sake.’ He [swt] will say, ‘You are lying. You acquired knowledge so that it would be said that you were a scholar; and you read Qur’an so that it would be said that you were a Reciter, and it was said.’ Then He will order that he be dragged on his face and thrown into the Fire.”
Source: Muslim no. 1905a - [Sahih]
Chapter: A Warning to those who interpret the Qur’an Insincerely – without Knowledge and merely following their personal views
17. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Whoever says [something] about the Qur’an without knowledge, then let him take his seat in the Fire.”
Source: Tirmidhee no. 2950 - [Ha-san]
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “And whoever says [some-thing] about the Qur’an according to his [own] opinion, then let him take his seat in the Fire.”
Source: Tirmidhee no. 2951 - [Ha-san]
Chapter: Argumentation
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Do not argue in the Qur’an [meaning do not op-pose/argue against what the Qur’an says] for in this arguing is Disbelief”
Source: Jami as-Sagheer no. 9739 - [Sahih]
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Do not argue using the Qur’an [i.e. in a dispute with one another]. [The negative result would be] you would deny the Book of Allah by using [one ayat] against another [ayat]. I swear by Allah indeed the Believer if he is argued against with the Qur’an he [out of respect] will loose [not continue the argument]...indeed the hypocrite, if he argues using the Qur’an, he will win [the argument because the Believer will not argue back]
Source: Silsilah Ahadeeth as-Saheehah no. 3447 - [Sahih]
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Indeed what I fear most for you all is that a man recites the Qur’an until you can see the effects on his face [enlightened] and he will be like a shield for Islam by the permission of Allah, then he detaches himself [from the Qur’an], he ‘threw’ it behind himself and he rushed upon his neighbour with the sword and he will accuse him of Shirk [polytheism]"
One of the companions said “O Prophet of Allah which of them will be the polytheist, the accuser or the one accused? He said, “The accuser.”
Source: Ibn Hibban no. 81 - [Sahih]
Chapter: Taddabbur [Pondering] on the Deep Meanings of the Qur’an
Hasan al-Basri [one of the Tabi’een] said, “There was not revealed a [single] Ayat from the Qur’an except that it has a Dhahir [an apparent] and Batin [inner] and every letter has a value [measure] – and for every value is an ending.”
Source: Baghawi, Sharh us Sunnah no. 1/214
Abdullah ibn Masood, the Companion, said, “When you intend to acquire knowledge, deeply study the Qur’an for in it lies the [principles] of knowledge of the ancients and future generations.”
Source: Ghazali, Kitab Adab Tilawat ul Qur’an
Hasan ibn Ali said, “The people before you considered the Qur’an to be correspondence from their Lord, so they would ponder it by night and perform it by day.”
Source: Nawawi, Tibyan fi Adab Hamalatul Qur’an
Aishah said, “The Prophet spent the night [in prayer] with [a single verse] Ayah from the Qur’an.”
Source: Tirmidhee no. 448 - [Sahih]
Ibn Taymiyah said, “Whoever contemplates [tadabbur] upon the Qur’an [with the condition] of seeking guidance from it, [then] the path of truth will be made clear.”
Source: Aqeedah tul Wasityah
Chapter: Etiquettes and Virtues of Reciting the Qur’an
18. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Allah listens more attentively to a man with a beautiful voice who recites Qur’an out loud than the master of a singing slave-girl listens to his slave.”
Source: Ibn Majah no. 1340, Ibn Hibban no. 754 - [Sahih – according to Ibn Hibban, Suyuti and Ibn Taymiyah]
19. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Beautify the Qur’an with your voices for indeed the nice voice in-creases the beauty of the Qur’an”
Source: Baihaqi – Shu’bul Iman no. 2/868 - [Sahih]
20. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Whoever recites a letter from Allah’s Book, then he receives the reward from it, and the reward of ten the like of it. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter.”
Source: Tirmidhee no. 2910 - [Ha-san]
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “The one who does not recite the Qur’an in a melodious manner is not from us”
Source: Bukhari no. 7527 - [Sahih]
21. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “…Recite the Qur’an in [your houses]. For the inhabit-ants of the heavens see them like people on earth see the stars.”
Source: Syar Alam an-Nubalah, Dhahabi no. 8/29, Silsilah Ahadeeth as-Saheehah no. 3112 - [Sahih]
22. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Purify [clean] your mouths with the siwak [tooth-stick] for indeed it [the mouth] is the pathway of the Qur’an.”
Source: Baihaqi – Shu’bul Iman no. 2/862 - [Sahih]
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “The one who recites the Qur’an loudly is like one who gives charity openly, and the one who recites the Qur’an silently is like the one who gives charity in secret.”
Source: an-Nisa’i no. 1663, - [Hasan]
23. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Indeed the best of people who recite is one whom when you hear his recitation you can see that he Fears Allah.”
Source: Hiyatul Awliyah no. 4/21 - [Sahih]
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “The parable of the believer who recites the Qur’an is that of a sweet citrus fruit, its fragrance is nice and its taste is nice. The parable of the believer who does not recite the Qur’an is that of a date, it has no smell but its taste is sweet. The parable of the hypocrite who recites the Qur’an is that of basil, its fragrance is nice but its taste is bitter. The parable of the hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’an is that of the colocynth [bitter desert fruit], its smell is better and its taste is bitter.”
Source: Tirmidhee no. 2865 - [Sahih]
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “And recite the Qur’an in the early dawn. Verily the recitation of the Qur’an in the early dawn is ever witnessed [17:78].” The Prophet said, “It is witnessed by the angels of the night and the angels of the day.”
Source: Tirmidhee no. 3135 - [Sahih]
24. Abdullah ibn Amr says, Allah’s Messenger said to me, “Recite the whole Qur’an in a month.” I said, “But I have the power [to do more than that].” Allah’s Messenger said, “Then finish the recitation of the Qur’an in seven days, and do not finish it in less than this period.”
Source: Bukhari no. 5054 - [Sahih]
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Envy is not justified but in case of two persons only: one who, having been given [knowledge of] the Qur’an by Allah, recites it during the night and day [and also acts upon it] and a man who, having been given wealth by God, spends it during the night and the day [for the welfare of others seeking the pleasure of their Lord].”
Source: Muslim no. 815a - [Sahih]
Chapter: Disturbing others whilst reciting the Qur’an
25. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “When someone is in Salah [prayer] then they are in deep conversation with their Lord Almighty so you should see if anyone is engaged in this deep conversation with their Lord [i.e. Salah] and do not make your voices loud one over the other in your recitation [of the Qur’an].”
Source: Musnad Ahmad no. 7/188 - - [Hasan]
Chapter: The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)’s Relationship with the Qur’an
26. Bar’a said, “I heard the Prophet reciting Surat at-Tin waz Zaitun [95: By the Fig and the Olive] in the Isha prayer and I have never heard anybody with a better voice or recitation than his.”
Source: Bukhari no. 7546 - [Sahih]
In describing the Prophet’s recitation of the Qur’an, one of the companions said, “He [the Prophet] would extend his voice appropriately and clearly [every letter would be pronounced properly] – [Abu Dawud no. 1465 - [Sahih]
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Allah does not listen so attentively to anything as He listens to the recitation of the Qur’an by a Prophet who re-cites it well with a melodious and audible voice.”
Source: Muslim no. 793b – [Sahih]
27. “One of the Companions said, “I saw the Messenger of Allah and he was praying - his chest sounded like boiling water due to [him] crying.”
Source: Ibn Hibban no. 753 - [Sahih]
28. Abdullah ibn Masud said, “The Messenger of Allah asked me to recite the Qur’an.” He said “Messenger of Allah, [how] should I recite to you whereas it has been sent down to you? He [the Prophet] said, “I desire to hear it from some-one else.” “So I recited Surat an-Nisa [4] till I reached the verse: “How then shall it be when We shall bring from every people a witness and bring you against them as a witness?” [4:41]. I lifted my head or a person touched me in my side, and so I lifted my head and saw his tears falling [from the Prophet’s eyes].
Source: Muslim no. 800a - [Sahih]
Chapter: The Prophetic Character
29. Someone asked Aishah, Mother of the Believers, “Tell me about the character of the Messenger of Allah “ She said, “Do you not read the Qur’an?” I said: “Yes.” Upon this she said: “The character of the Messenger of Allah was the Qur’an. ”He said: “I felt inclined to get up and not ask anything [further] till death [due to the answer being so profound]”
Source: Muslim no. 746a, an-Nisa’i no. 1601, - [Sahih]
Chapter: Virtue of the Memorizers [hufadh] of the Qur’an
30. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “It shall be said to the Companion of the Qur’an, ‘Recite [of what you have memorized] and rise up, recite [melodiously] as you would recite in the world. For indeed your rank shall be at the last Ayah [verse] you recite.”
Source: Tirmidhee no. 2914 - [Ha-san]
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “The one who learns the Qur’an is like the owner of a hobbled camel. If he pays attention to it, he will keep it, but if he releases it, it will go away.”
Source: Bukhari no. 5031 - [Sahih]
31. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “It is a bad thing that some of you say, 'I have forgotten such-and-such verse of the Qur’an,' for indeed, he has been caused [by Allah] to forget it. So you must keep on reciting the Qur’an because it escapes from the hearts of men faster than camel do.”
Source: Bukhari no. 5032 - [Sahih]
Abdullah ibn Masood, the Companion said, “It was difficult for us to memorise the words of the Qur’an but easy for us to act by them. After us will be people for whom it is easy to memorise the Qur’an, but hard to act by it.”
Chapter: Not using Memorized Ayat in the Prayer causes forgetfulness
32. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “When the Companion of the Qur’an performs Salah, re-citing it by night and day, he retains it and if he doesn’t [use it in] Salah he forgets.”
Source: Silsilah Ahadeeth as-Saheehah no. 597 - [Sahih]
Chapter: Holding on to the Qur’an - Never go Astray
33. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “...And I have left you two heavy [important issues]: The first of them is the Book of Allah. In it is the Guidance and the Light. Whoever holds firmly to it and takes from it he [then] is upon the Guidance. Whoever errs with respect to it goes astray. So take from the Book of Allah Almighty and hold firmly to it. [the second thing] is Ahl – Bayti [My Family – included wives, children, son-in law etc] I remind you by Allah with regard to My Family, I re-mind you by Allah with regard to My Family.
Source: Muslim, Ryadh as-Saliheen no. 346, – [Sahih]
34. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “I leave be-hind for you, that by which if you stick firmly to you will never go astray, the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet.”
Source: Targhib wa Tarhib 1/61 [Sahih]
35. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “Indeed this Qur’an is a rope – one end of it is in the Hand of Allah and the other end is in your hands. So hold firmly to it [the result would be] that you would never go astray and never be destroyed [no matter what the circumstance].”
Source: Ibn Hibban no. 122 - [Sa-hih]
Chapter: The role of the Qur’an in times of Fitnah [tribulation] and confusion
36. Ali said I heard the Messenger of Allah says, ‘Fit-nah will certainly come.’ I asked what is the way out O Messenger of Allah? He replied, 'The Book of Allah [swt] is the way, for it contains in-formation of what happened before you, news of what will come after you and a decision regarding matters that will occur among you....It is deciscive [fasl] and not a joke [hazl]. Whoever leaves leaves it, is a tyrant and Allah [swt] will break him, and if anyone seeks guidance else-where [other than the Qur’an] Allah will lead him astray. It is the rope of Allah [swt], the wise reminder, the straight path, whims would not deviate it nor the tongue become confused, and the scholars cannot be fully satisfied [i.e. still more to explore]. It is not worn down by repetition nor do its wonders ever cease……He who quotes it speaks the truth, he who acts according to it is rewarded, he who judges ac-cording to it is just, and he who invites people to it [i.e. the Qur’an] is [himself] guided to the Straight Path….’
Source: Tirmidhee no. 2906 [Da’eef - the chain is weak but the meaning is Saheeh –scholars comment that this is more likely the statement of Ali and not the Prophet]
Chapter: A Time will come when People will loose the Understanding of the Qur’an
37. On the authority of Ziyad ibn Lubayd the Prophet said, ‘….and knowledge will go [or disappear].’ He said, ‘O Messenger of Allah how will knowledge leave [disappear] whilst we read the Qur’an and our children read the Qur’an and they will make their children read it till the Day of Judgement.’ He said, ‘May your Mother loose you I thought your one of the men of understanding of Madinah. Don’t you see these Jews and Christians reading their Torah and Gospel but they don’t practice anything of it.’
Source: Ibn Majah no. 4048 - [Sahih]
38. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “There will come a time on the people when there will remain nothing of the Islam except its [ism] name and nothing will remain of the Qur’an except its [rasm] outward form. Their masjids will be full of people/very well built but will be empty of guidance. Their scholars will be the most evil under the heavens; from them [fitnah] turmoil will emanate from them and to them will it re-turn.”
Source: Baihaqi, Shu’bul Iman no. 2/788
Narrated Abdullah, that he heard a man reciting a Qur’anic Verse which he had heard the Prophet reciting in a different way. So he took that man to the Prophet [and told him the story]. The Prophet said, “Both of you are reciting in a correct way, so carry on reciting.” The Prophet further added, “The nations which were before you were destroyed [by Allah] be-cause they differed.”
Source: Bukhari no. 5062 - [Sahih]
39. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “When you adorn [deco-rate] your Masajid and ornament your Qur’an, then you will perish.”
Source: Jami as-Saghir no. 658 - [Hasan]
40. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said, “The majority of the Hypocrites of this Ummah [Muslims] will be its readers [i.e. those who read the Qur’an and not act according to it].”
Source: Musnad Ahmad no. 10/123 - [Sahih]
Dua’s from the Qur’an
“Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.” [2:127]
“Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” [2:201]
“Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people.” [2:250]
“Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.” [2:286]
“Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” [3:8]
“Our Lord, indeed we have believed, so forgive us our sins and protect us from the punishment of the Fire,” [3:16]
“Our Lord, we have believed in what You revealed and have followed the messenger so register us among the witnesses [to truth].” [3:53]
“Our Lord, forgive us our sins and the excess [committed] in our affairs and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people.” [3:147]
“Our Lord, You did not create this [heavens and earth] aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” [3:191]
“Our Lord, indeed we have heard a caller calling to faith, [saying], ‘Believe in your Lord,’ and we have believed. Our Lord, so forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds and cause us to die with the righteous.” [3:193]
“Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?” [4:75]
“Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.” [7:23]
“Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.” [2:127]
“Our Lord, do not place us with the wrongdoing people.”[7:47]
“Our Lord, decide between us and our people in truth, and You are the best of those who give decision” [7:89]
“My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many]from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.” [14:40]
“Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.” [14:41]
“Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.” [18:10]
“Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering.” [25:65]
“Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.” [25:74]
“Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire.” [40:7]
“Our Lord, and admit them to gardens of perpetual residence which You have promised them and whoever was righteous among their fathers, their spouses and their offspring. Indeed, it is You who is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. And protect them from the evil consequences [of their deeds].And he whom You protect from evil consequences that Day - You will have given him mercy. And that is the great attainment.” [40:8-9]
“Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.” [59:10]
“Our Lord, upon You we have relied, and to You we have returned, and to You is the destination.”[60:4]
“My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favour which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.” [46:15]
“My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the incitements of the devils. And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they be present with me.”[23:97-98]
“My Lord, have mercy upon them [my parents] as they brought me up [when I was] small.” [17:24]
“My Lord, forgive and have mercy, and You are the best of the merciful.” [23:118]
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” [20:114]
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