The Holy Qur'an is the last but the most comprehensive Heavenly Book revealed through the Arch Gabriel to the noble Prophet of God (PBUH). Qur'an is a book of guidance and salvation in this world and in the Hereafter. Therefore, the Muslims should endeavor to learn, understand its contents and act accordingly with its Divine teachings.
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Getting Familiar with the Qur’an
Introduction
Qur’an is an everlasting miracle of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) that was revealed for the period of twenty-three years through Arch Gabriel. The Qur’an consists of 114 chapters (i.e. Suwar). According to a popular opinion among the Quranic scientists, 86 of the chapters are considered Meccan chapters (i.e. Makki) while the remaining 28 chapters are referred to as Medina chapters (Madani).
Reciting the Qur’an
Interestingly, Qur’an is a universal and an everlasting Heavenly book, which is meant neither for a particular set of people or for a generation. Rather, it is for all people and for every generation. The messages of Qur’an are relevant to the past, present and the future generations. Moreover, every time one recites and reflects on the verses of the Qur’an, it opens the eyes and the minds of its reciters to the past, present and future events. In another word, one who learns and understand Qur’an will be able to understand correctly the past, the present and the future events.
The Qur’an says:
الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلَاوَتِهِ أُولَـٰئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِوَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِهِ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ
Those to whom We have given the Book read it as it ought to be read. These believe in it; and whoever disbelieves in it, these it is that are the losers (Qur’an 2: 121)
The Messenger of God (PBUH) said: "The most superior worship of my nation is surface reading of Qur’an”[1]
In nutshell, the Qur’an is a Divine message to the humanity. As Muslims, we must endeavor to understand the contents of the message sent to us and its correct recitation. On daily basis, we should imbibe the habit of reciting several pages or at least a page of the Qur’an. In addition, a proper reflection upon the verses has a crucial effects on the souls and on the life of its reciter. Therefore, we should endeavor to reflect and act accordingly on the teachings of the Qur’an.
The Messenger of God (PBUH) said: "One who reads Qur’an but does not act accordingly with it, the Lord will resurrect him as blind[2]”
Getting Familiar with the Qur’an
Memorizing the Qur’an
There are several traditions from the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his pure Household (AS), which encourage the Muslims to memorize the Qur’an and likewise mention its rewards. For example, Imam Ja’far Sadiq (AS) reported the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to have said:
"The holders (i.e. memorizers) of Qur’an are mystics of the people of Paradise[3]”
The commander of the faithful, Imam Ali (AS) said:
"Whoever memorizes Qur’an, and makes lawful (all) its lawfulness and considered as unlawful (all) its unlawful laws. Allah will make him to enter Paradise[4]”
Likewise, Imam Ja’far Sadiq (AS) also said:
"The memorizer of the Qur’an who acts with it will be amongst the honored Angels of God[5]”
Thus, based on these traditions, it can be concluded that the memorizers of the Qur’an are respected, honored by Allah and above all, they will be rewarded with Paradise on the Day of Judgment. Likewise, memorization of the Qur’an is one of the highly rewarding acts in Islam. The Prophet (PBUH) and the Infallible Imams of AhlulBayt (AS) have encouraged the Muslims on this recommendable act.
However, there have been several methods used for the process of memorization. The following are some of the effective tips for a quick memorization of the Qur’an:
Get a personal Qur’an with a very good lettering and always keep it yourself.
Make use of this Qur’an alone in the process of memorization.
Look for a best reciter among those International Quranic reciters. Follow only this reciter alone in its recitation.
Create a timetable for your memorization based on your daily schedule.
Follow strictly the designed timetable and in cases of any failure, always compensate for it.
At first, listen to the chosen recitation of the selected portion to be memorized two or three times. (NOTE: Listen alone, do not repeat with him).
Thereafter, follow the reciter in the recitation (i.e. read with the reciter).
Then, read a chosen number of verses two or three times from the Qur’an by yourself.
Try to repeat those selected verses without the Qur’an two or three times.
Next day, before starting the memorization, recollect and repeat those verses memorized in the previous day.
If possible, try to memorize under the supervision of a competent Quranic teacher.
If possible, try to start the memorization in pairs of two or three persons, so that you undergo the memorization together.
References:
[1] . Kanzul Ummal, Vol. 1, P. 511, Hadith No: 2265.
[2] . Jame al-Akhbar, Vol. 1
[3] . Al- Kafi, Vol. 2, P. 606, Hadith 11.
[4] . Al- Hayat, Vol. 2, P. 236
[5] . Al- Kafi, Vol. 2, P. 603, Hadith 2.
