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Importance Of Understanding Quran

​​A doctor needs a long study (minimum 6 years for a simple MBBS degree and this 6 years is after the 12 years up to college…total its 18 years)

A teacher needs at least a 10 years qualification.

An Engineer needs almost 16years (including school, college, and university)

An accountant needs at least 14 years for just simple A.C.C.A (including School College and university)

A businessman needs 16 years for his MBA.

A normal person struggles for at least 16 years for the benefit of an almost 80 years life (maximum 100 years)

Well and for the success of EVERLASTING LIFE we don’t give one hour a day.

Purpose Of the Quran:
In Holy Quran the main purpose of the Quran is…
“This is the doubtless book (sent) for the GUIDANCE of pious people” (Sura Al Bakara/Ayat 2)

“Indeed this Quran GUIDES to the path which is clearer and straighter than any other” (XVII: 9)

“Alif Laam Raa. A book which we have revealed to you (Muhammad) so that you may LEAD the people from out of the darkness into the light by their Lord’s leave to the path of the All-Mighty, the Praiseworthy.”

“And this book we sent it down blessed and a confirmation of what came before it that you may WARN the Mother of the Cities (Makka) and those around it.” (Sura Al-Inam, Ayah: 92)

“Those who are inclined away from the truth regarding our verses are not hidden from us. Is one who is thrown into the fire better or one who comes as a believer on the Day of Judgment? Do whatever you wish! He surely sees all that you do. Those that rejected the Reminder when it came to them! And it is surely a mighty book. Falsehood does not reach it from the front or from the back – a thing sent down from the Wise, the Praiseworthy.” (Sura Fusilat, Ayah: 41-43)

“Verily this Quran GUIDES to what is most upright” (Sura Al-Isra, Ayah: 9)

From the entire above Ayah’s, it is verified that the main purpose of the Quran is GUIDANCE. And in today’s life, how many people read Quran to get guidance for daily life…?? I guess only 3% of Muslim Ummah read Quran for guidance…Really 3%. You can check that out with your friends. How many of your friends, family, and classmates read Quran for guidance? Only 2 or 3% of people in your surroundings will be those.

Meaning Of Word Tilawat: The Difference Between Reciting And Reading
Before coating hadees and ayahs I would like to tell all of you the true Arabic meaning of the word TILAWAT. The root word of the word TILAWAT is “T-L-A/T-L-O”. In the Arabic language, the meaning of T-L-A is “TO FOLLOW SOMETHING.” In Arabic language following the words of the Quran (Tilawat of Quran) means

1). To read the entire words one after the other. This means that when you read Quran you must read all the words clearly. Don’t read it so fast that u miss the words or mix them in one another.

2). TO FOLLOW THE WORDS AND THEIR MEANINGS/SPIRIT. It means that the word TILAWAT/RECITATION OF QURAN itself contains the meaning of UNDERSTANDING THE MESSAGE OF QURAN/UNDERSTANDING THE SPIRIT OF QURAN.

The word used for simple reading is IQRA. It’s not Tilawat.

Importance Of Understanding the Quran
Now coming to the main topic following are the ayahs and ahadees:
Hazrat ABU-ZAR (R.A) told us that our Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said” Nothing can take you close to Allah more than the thing that itself came from Allah means Quarn (can take u close to Allah). This Hadees is written in ABU DAUD and TIRMAZI

Hazrat ABU-ZAR (R.A) told us that He asked our Prophet to advise him on anything. Our Prophet advised, “Have Taqwa (having love and fear of ALLAH) because it is the root of all deeds.” Hazrat Abu-Zar asked for some more advice. Our prophet advised secondly ” Recite Quran because ​​it is light in the world​​ and an asset in the afterlife” This Hadees is written in IBN-HABAN

Don’t we all want to have an asset in our afterlife? REMEMBER THE WORD ‘RECITING’ IS USED HERE, NOT READING.

Hazrat ABDUL REHMAN BIN AUF (R.A) told us that our Prophet Muhammad ( S.A.W) said” On the Day of Judgment three things will be below Allah’s ARSH. One is QURAN which will fight with people, for Quran there’s one outside (the words) and one inside (the meaning or the spirit), the second thing is AMANAT and the third is SILA-REHMI (to maintain a good relationship with relatives) that will announce “May Allah bond His Mercy with the one who bonded me and may Allah separate his mercy from the one who broke me”

Hazrat ABU-ZAR (R.A) told us that our Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said to Him (R.A) that “Oh Abu-Zar if every morning you understand one ayah/verse of Quran it is better than offering 100 NAFAL.” This hadees is written in IBN-MAJAH

“Hearts get rusted as iron gets rusted by water” Our Prophet (S.A.W) was asked how hearts are kept clean. Our Prophet replied,” By remembering death now and then and by reciting Quran.” This hadees is reported by Hazrat ABDUALLAH BIN UMAR

Hazrat ANAS (R.A) told us that our Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said that “Among all the people, people of some houses are special for Allah” Our Prophet was asked,” Who are those people?” Our Prophet replied, ” People of the Quran (means that the people who recite and act upon Quran) are ALLAH’S FAMILY and are very special to Allah.” This Hadees is written in IBN-MAJA , NASSAI and AHMED

Hazrat Umar Bin Khataab (R.A) told us that our Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said “Through this Quran, Allah raises many people (those who recite and act upon it) and through this Quran, Allah lays down many people” (those who don’t recite it and act upon it). This hadess is written in MUSLIM

Signs Of Kibr (Pride/Arrogance)

The Prophet (PBUH) said: “No one who has an atom’s-weight of Pride in his heart will enter Paradise.” A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, what if a man likes his clothes and his shoes to look good?” He (PBUH) said, “Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty, Pride means rejecting the truth and looking down on people”(Sahih Muslim).

Commentary:
The word or the name for arrogance/pride in Arabic is ‘Kibr’. This is the inner quality of pride. The name of the outward quality is ‘Takabbur’ which means arrogance.

Arrogance is a blameworthy characteristic that is the feature of Iblees and his followers in this world, those on whose hearts Allah Ta’ala has placed a seal.

11 Signs of a Person Having Pride/Arrogance:

  • He doesn’t like others to have what he has
  • He cannot avoid anger
  • He cannot avoid being jealous of others
  • He doesn’t accept advice from others
  • He doesn’t want to listen or accept advice from a learned person or even attend lessons
  • When advising people he always puts them down
  • When speaking he will say good remarks about himself
  • When he speaks he speaks with pride to let people know he has knowledge
  • He deals with people in a bad way
  • He walks in a bad way
  • He looks down on people because he is wealthier, or has a better appearance.

The cure for arrogance involves Knowledge and Action which involves the following remedies:
Firstly, you should know and recognize your Lord and know and recognize your own self as you should be recognized, and that you are not worthy of greatness and that true greatness and pride are only for Allah Ta’ala

Secondly, you should think of yourself as being just like other people and realize that they are like you; they were born from a mother and a father just as you were, and that Taqwa (piety, fear of Allah) is the true criterion of superiority.

Allah Ta’ala says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. he is one of the Muttaqoon (the pious)” (Al-Hujuraat, 49:13)…

And finally, know and realize that on the Day of Resurrection the person with pride will be gathered in a small form like an ant which will be trampled underfoot as The Prophet (PBUH) said: “On the Day of Resurrection, the arrogant will be gathered like ants in the form of men. Humiliation will overwhelm them from all sides. They will be driven to a prison in Hell called Bawlas, with the hottest fire rising over them, and they will be given to drink of the juice of the inhabitants of Hell, which is teenat al-khabaal” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi).

Arrogant people are hated by other people just as they are hated by Allah Ta’ala; people love humble, tolerant, and gentle people, and they hate those who are harsh and cruel to people.

And Allah knows best!

Fear Allah Wherever You Are

Abu Dharr al-Ghifari and Mu`adh b, Jabal relate that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Fear Allah wherever you are. Follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will blot it out. And deal with people in a good manner.” [ Sunan al-Tirmidhi ]

The importance of this hadith:

Ibn Rajab says: “This is powerful advice, bringing together the rights of Allah and the rights of His servants..”

The fear of Allah
The Arabic word for the “fear of Allah” is taqwa. It comes from the root word meaning “to protect from something, to prevent”. Indeed, a person exhibits the fear of Allah by seeking to prevent Allah’s punishment by carrying out what Allah has commanded of him and abstaining from what Allah has prohibited him.

Allah had called upon all people in every era to fear Him. Allah says: “And We had enjoined upon those who were given the Scripture before – as well as yourselves – to fear Allah.” [ Surah al-Nisa’ : 131]

It is Allah’s right over His servants that they fear Him as He ought to be feared. Allah says: “O you who believe! Fear Allah as He ought to be feared and do not die except as believers.” [ Surah Al `Imran : 102]

Ibn Mas`ud explained what it means to fear Allah as He ought to be feared by saying: “It means that He is to be obeyed not disobeyed, remembered not forgotten, and shown gratitude, not ingratitude.”

The fear of Allah is the path to forgiveness, salvation, and the attainment of Allah’s mercy. Allah says:

“Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who do good.” [ Surah al-Nahl : 128]

“And My mercy encompasses all things, and I shall decree it for those who fear Me.” [ Surah al-A`raf : 156]

“He is worthy of being feared and worthy of granting forgiveness.” [ Surah al-Muddaththir : 56]

“And whoever fears Allah – He will pardon him his sins and grant him a great reward.” [ Surah al-Talaq : 5]

“Indeed, those who fear Allah will be among gardens and rivers, in a seat of truth near an All-Powerful Sovereign.” [ Surah al-Qamar : 54-55]

Allah promises those who fear Him that He will provide for their needs and grant them a way out of their worldly difficulties. Allah says: “And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out, and provide for him from whence he could never imagine.” [ Sûrah al-Talaq: 2-3]

This is Allah’s promise. We should draw strength from it when we are tired in life with difficulties that tempt us to resort to what Allah has forbidden.

The relationship between knowledge and the fear of Allah
Allah says: “It is only those who have knowledge among Allah’s servants who fear Him.” [ Surah Fatir: 28]

There are two ways in which knowledge and the fear of Allah are related. The first is that true fear of Allah comes about as the result of having proper knowledge of Allah and His perfect attributes.

Ibn Abbas said about this verse: “They are those who know that Allah is capable of all things.”

He also said: “The verse means: The only people who fear me are those who know my power, my might, and my dominion..”

Ibn Kathir says in his commentary of this verse: “The only people who fear Allah in the true sense are those who are knowledgeable about Allah. This is because the more knowledge a person has about the Almighty, the All-Powerful and All-Knowing, who possesses the attributes of perfection and the best of names – the more perfect and complete this knowledge is – the greater and more total his fear of Allah will be.” [ Tafsir Ibn Kathir ]

The second way that the fear of Allah and knowledge are related stems from the fact that the fear of Allah is to seek to prevent Allah’s punishment by carrying out Allah’s commands and abstaining from His prohibitions. Consequently, a Muslim needs to have knowledge of these matters in order to fear Allah properly. An ignorant Muslim may have a sense of fear, but he will not be able to fully carry out what that fear requires of him.

Ibn `Abbas said: “To have knowledge of the Most Merciful is to be someone who associates nothing as a partner with Him, who deems lawful what He has made lawful, who prohibits what He has prohibited, who preserves what He has enjoined upon him, and who has certainty that he shall meet Him and that his actions will be accounted for.”

Follow up a bad deed with a good deed
The Prophet (peace be upon him) tells us that performing a good deed wipes away the sin incurred from perpetrating an evil one. Scholars have disagreed whether the “good deed” being referred to here refers specifically to the context of repentance or whether it is general for all good works.

The strongest view is that all good deeds can wipe away evil deeds. Allah says: “And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good works do away with evil deeds. That is a reminder for those who take heed.” [ Surah Hud: 114]

A man once came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and informed him that he had contact with a woman like a husband has with his wife, except that he did not go so far as to fornicate with her. This man had just prayed the Fajr prayer. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Have you prayed with us the Fajr prayer?” When he replied that he had, the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited: “Indeed, good works do away with evil deeds.” [ Sahîh al-Bukhârî (526) and Sahîh Muslim (2763)]

However, a believer should always repent for his sins. Allah says: “And those, who when they commit an indecency or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins – and who forgives sins except Allah – and then do not knowingly persist in what they have done, for them is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they shall abide forever. How great is the reward for those who work righteousness.” [ Surah Al `Imran : 135]

A believer should follow up his sincere repentance with the performance of good works. This is what Allah wants from us. He says: “Indeed, I am Most Forgiving to whoever repents, believes, and works righteous deeds and then continues upon guidance.” [ Surah Taha: 82]

Allah also tells us: “Except for those who repent, believe, and work righteous deeds. For those, Allah will change their evil deeds into good deeds, and Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [ Sûrah al-Furqan: 70] This is especially true for major sins. A Muslim must never leave a major sin to go without repentance, for Allah’s promise of forgiveness is for those who turn to Him in sincere repentance. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A servant, if he acknowledges his sin and then repents, Allah will forgive him.” [ Sahih al-Bukhari (4141) and Sahîh Muslim (2770)]

And deal with people in a good manner
Allah tells us repeatedly in the Qur’ân to observe good manners in our dealings with others. He says: “Keep to forgiveness (O Muhammad), and enjoin kindness, and turn away from those who are ignorant.” [ Surah al-A`raf : 199]

Allah says: “Nor can goodness and evil be equal. Repel (evil) with what is better. Then he between whom and you there had been hatred will become as though he were your dear friend.” [ Sûrah Fussilat : 34]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) is the perfect example of what it means to possess good manners. Allah says, describing him: “Indeed you are of a great moral character.” [ Surah al-Qalam : 4]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized how good manners are of paramount importance in Islam when he said: “I was sent only to perfect good manners.” [ Musnad Ahmad (8952)]

Indeed, he tells us those good manners are part of faith. He said: “The believers with the most complete faith are those who have the best manners.” [ Sunan al-Tirmidhi (1162) and Sunan Abî Dawud (4682)]

Among the good manners that we should cultivate is to be sensible in our dealings with others and not to react hastily when they do that which displeases us. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Ashajj `Abd Qays: “You possess within yourself two qualities that Allah loves: discernment and forbearance.” [ Sahîh Muslim (17)]

What Is Allah’s Right On Mankind?

On the authority of Mu’aadh bin Jabal, a companion of the Prophet Muhammed who said: “I was riding with the Prophet, sitting behind him, when he said to me, “O Mu’aadh! Do you know what is Allah’s right over His slaves, and what is the slave’s right over Allah?”. I said, “Allah and His Messenger know Best”. He said, “The Right of Allah over the slaves is that they should worship Him alone [1] and not associate anything with Him [2], while the right of the slaves over Allah is that He will not punish (on the Day of Judgment) whoever does not associate with Him.” [Collected by al-Bukhari, Muslim, at-Tirmidhi, Ahmed & Ibn Majah]

The Creation Of Mankind
Glorified be Allah, who created man (Adam) and caused one of the noble souls (Ruh) to enter him [Soorah al-Hijr (15):29] and made mankind into nations and tribes, that they may know one another. Verily the most honorable of them in the Sight Allah is the believer who has at-Taqwa (i.e. the Qualities of piety, righteousness, and the fear of Allah; that keeps him away from all kinds of sin and evil deeds) [Soorah al-Hujarat (49):13].

The Recognition Of Allah
The question would arise: … How can all the people around the world be expected to believe in the One True God, given their varying backgrounds, societies, and cultures?

For people to be held responsible for worshipping the One True God, they all need to have access to knowledge of Him.

The Qur’an teaches us that all human beings have the recognition of Allah imprinted on their souls as part of their very nature with which they are created. This natural in-born inclination to worship Allah alone is called in Arabic as the `Fitrah’. If the child was justified alone, it would grow up aware of Allah in His Unity, but all children are affected by the pressure of their environment, whether directly or indirectly The Prophet Muhammed reported that Allah
said: “I created man in the right religion, but the devils (Shaitaan ) made him go astray.” [Reported in Sahih Muslim, vol.4, p.1488, no.6853]

The Prophet also said: “Every child is born in the state of Fitrah (i.e. a Muslim), then his parents make him a Jew, Christian or a Zoroastrian.” [Reported in Sahih al-Bukhari, vol.8, no.597 and Muslim, vol.4, no.6423]

The religion the child follows is one of custom and upbringing and Allah does not hold it to account or punish it for this religion. But when the child matures in youth and clear proofs of the falsehood of man-made religions are brought to it, the adult must now follow the religion of knowledge and reason. The Shaytaan (devils) try to make
evil pleasing to him and encourage him to stray away from the straight path. The person must now live in the midst of a struggle between his Fitrah and his lower desires in order to find the right path. If he chooses his Fitrah, Allah will help him overcome his desires even though he may have to go through a lot of trials and struggles, as Allah says: “Surely We (Allah) will test you with fear, hunger, loss of wealth, and life and fruits of your work, so give glad tidings to those who are patient.” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 155]

Because of all the powerful forces fighting against the Fitrah, Allah chose certain righteous men and revealed to them clearly the right path. These men whom we call Prophets were sent to help our fitrah defeat its enemies, and Allah says: “Verily We (Allah) have sent every nation a messenger saying `Worship Allah alone and avoid the Taghoot (false gods)” [Soorah al-Nahl (16): 36]

All the truth and good practices today came from the teachings of the past Prophets.

Born Muslims
Those who are fortunate enough to have been born in Muslim families must be aware that all such `Muslims’ are not automatically guaranteed paradise, because the Prophet warned that a large portion of Muslims will stray away from the teachings of Islam; and the Sunnah would be replaced by innovations (Bidah), as mentioned in the following Hadeeths:-

Hadeeth 1: “I have been given the Qur’an and it’s equal (the Sunnah) with it.” [Reported by Abu-Dawood (Eng. translation), vol.3, no.4587, at-Tirmidhi, al-Haakim & Ahmed]

Let me not find any of you, while resting on his couch, that order of mine is mentioned in front of him, either a command of mine or a prohibition, he says: `I do not know! Whatever we find in the Book of Allah (the Qur’an) we follow (otherwise we do not)”. [Reported by Abu Dawood (Eng. translation),vol.3, no.4588, at- Tirmidhi, ibn Majah, Ahmed]

Hadeeth 2: “You will follow the practices of your predecessors, inch by inch and yard by yard; so that if they were to enter a lizard’s hole, you would also follow them.” When the Prophet was asked if he meant the Jews and Christians, he replied “If not them, who else?” [Reported in Sahih al-Bukhari, vol.9, no.422 & Sahih Muslim, vol.4, no.6448]

Hadeeth 3: “The Last Hour will not come until some groups of my nation attach themselves to the polytheists and some of my people worship idols.” [Reported by Abu Dawood (Eng. translation), vol 3, no.4239; Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi]

Hadeeth 4: “The Last Hour will not come until women from the daws tribe wiggle their buttocks (as they  ircumambulate) around the temple of the idol al-Khalasha.” [Reported by al-Bukhari, vol.9, no.232 & Muslim, vol.4, no.6944]

Hadeeth 5: “There will be among my followers those who will make allowable (Halal) fornication and adultery, the wearing of Silk (for men), taking intoxicants and musical instruments (Ma’aazif)….Allah will destroy them during the night and let the mountain fall on them.” [Collected in al-Bukhari, vol.7, no.494 (b)]

All those mentioned in the Hadeeths above will have Muslim names and will consider themselves Muslims, but it will be of no benefit to them on the Day of Judgment. This is because ……….

They ignored the teachings of the Last Messenger Muhammed (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) and altered the Religion according to their convenience. Have you not seen the one who takes his desires as his god? [Soorah al-Furqan (25): 43]

“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and render not vain your deeds.” [Soorah Muhammed (47): 33]

“Say (O Muhammed to mankind): if you (really love Allah then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive your sins.” [Soorah al-Imran (3): 31]

They seek help in other than Allah “Most of them claim to believe in Allah but they really commit Shirk.” [Soorah Yusuf (12): 106]
and: “And your Lord says: `Call on Me, I will answer your prayers.” [Soorah Ghafir (40): 60]

“When my slaves ask you (O Muhammed) about me tell them `Verily I am close, I listen to the prayer of everyone who calls on me.” [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 186]

“And invoke not besides Allah, any that neither can profit you nor harm you, but if you do so you shall certainly be one of the disbelievers.” [Soorah Hud (11): 106]

“Those on whom you call besides Allah are only slaves (mortals) like yourselves.” [Soorah al-A’raaf (7): 194]

Some Muslims have turned the Qur’an into a good luck charm which they hang on chains around their necks, in their cars, or have placed them in beautifully decorated cases to be kept in the house along with the other pieces of furniture; while our Prophet Muhammed said that the purpose of the Qur’an is to …… “Read the Qur’an and Apply it.” [Musnad Ahmed ibn Hambal]

“Verily this Qur’an guides to that which is most just and right and gives glad tidings to the Believers, who do deeds of righteousness, and they shall have a great reward.” [Soorah al-Israa’ (17): 9]

But alas, some so-called Muslims will even refuse guidance from the Qur’an: “And the Messenger (Muhammed) will say `O my Lord! Verily my people deserted this Qur’an (by neither listening to it nor acting according to its Laws).”  Soorah al-Furqan (25): 30]

Remember You Pledge To Allah
Let us give a thought as to whether we are simply Muslims by chance or Muslims by choice. Is Islam what our parents, tribe or country did (or does), or is it what the Qur’an teaches and what the Prophet Muhammed and his Companions (May Allah be pleased with them all) did.

In the seventh chapter of the Qur’an-Soorah al-Araaf, Allah explains that when He created Adam, He caused all of Adam’s descendants to come into existence and He took a pledge from them…….. `Am I not your Lord?, to which they all replied `Yes, we testify to it.” [Soorah al-A’raaf (7): 172]

Allah then explained why He had all of mankind bear witness that He is the Creator and the Only True God, worthy of worship; “That was in case you (mankind) should say on the Day of Resurrection, we were unaware of all this.” [Soorah al-A’raaf (7): 172]

“It was also in case you should say, `Certainly it was our ancestors who made partners (with Allah) and we are only their descendants; will you then destroy us for what those liars did.” [Soorah al- A’raaf (7): 173]

Therefore the pledge with Allah can only be fulfilled by a Muslim by choice and by the practical application of the principles of Islam in our lives.

“Say truly, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.” [Soorah al-An’aam (6): 162]

Conclusion
May Allah, the Merciful keep us on the right path to which He has guided us and bestows on us His blessings and mercy, for indeed whoever Allah guides……no one can misguide. “None has the right to be worshipped but you, O Allah. Truly I have been on the wrong-doers.” [Soorah al-Anbiyaa (21): 87]

May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be on the Prophet Muhammed, his Family, his Companions, and on all those who follow the path of guidance until the Last Day

Foot Notes
[1] i.e. to establish Tawheed…” the belief that Allah is One, without partner or associate in His Dominion and Actions; without similitude in His Essence and Attributes (Asmaa’ was-Sifaat) and without rival in His divinity and in worship.” -There is none equal or comparable unto Him. [Soorah al-Ikhlas:4]

[2] meaning in Arabic `Shirk’……” directing any form of worship to anyone or anything besides Allah believing that others besides Allah have the power to harm or benefit.