The Joy of Learning and Reading the Quran

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

Allah taught the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam through Angel Jibril alayhissalaam. So learning and reading the Quran is our closest link to the Prophet sallallahu alayi wasallam.

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "He who does not recite the Quran in a pleasant tone is not of us." [Abu Dawood] This is a serious warning. But reciting in a pleasant tone is not enough if you have problems in makhaarij, problems in sifat or problems in other rules of recitation.

We should recite the Quran the way the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam recited it. Tajweed helps us to do it.

What is tajweed? It is to recite the Quran as per the point of articulation (makhaarij) and attributes (sifat) of letters and the rules of recitation. These rules occur in every line of the Quran. So, it is necessary to learn tajweed.

Problems in makhaarij: can result in the change of meaning.e.g. If you didn't pronounce the letter 'Ain properly and it sounded hamzah.
e.g. والله أليم (Allah is painful) instead of والله عليم (Allah is knowing)

Problems in sifat: e.g. If you didn't make the letter "lam" heavy in الله أكبر it is a problem

Problems in the rules: e.g.If you didn't elongate the madd. e.g. خلقنا (We created) becomes خلقن (those women created). This is a disaster.

We make mistakes in the recitation of the Quran because of improper learning, mother's tongue effects get carried over to Arabic or no exposure to tajweed. It is important we find a qualified teacher to teach us how to read the Quran in the way it was taught to our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam and practice, practice, practice. Reading the Quran correctly will inspire a joy in your heart and make you closer to Allah inshaa Allah.

Some of the Benefits of the Quran

1. You will be from the best of the people if you learn and teach the Quran to others.

Uthman رضي الله عنه said that Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “The best of you are the ones who learn the Qur’an and teach it to others” [Al-Bukhari]

2. The reciters of the Qur’an will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels.

Aisha رضي الله عنها relates that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “Verily the one who recites the Qur’an 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.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Do not let the shaytan make you lose hope, or plant the excuses in your mind such as “I am not an ‘Arab,” or “It's not my language.” This hadith is a firm proof against these whisperings.

Dedicate yourself to the Book of Allah 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 Allah without holding back or offering excuses.

3. Your position in Paradise is determined by the amount of Qur’an you memorize/read in this life.

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-’Aas رضي الله عنه heard The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam saying: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’an: Read and elevate (through the levels of the Paradise) and beautify your voice as you used to do when you were in the dunya. For verily, your position in the Paradise will be at the last verse you recite.” [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi]

4. The Qur’an will lead you to Paradise

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “The Qur’an 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.” [At Tabarani]

May Allah make us His elect people of the Quran. Aameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam