THE MERITS OF TILAWAT

The modernists are content to say that there is no benefit in reading the Qur'an-e-Kareem if one does not understand its meaning. This is a very dangerous point of view that can lead to Kufr. The Qur'an is not the word of man but that of Allah Ta'ala, the Supreme and Unique Master of the entire Universe. Therefore, the one who reads the Qur'an is reading nothing other than the word of Allah Ta'ala.

Let it be known that the recitation or reading of satanic or perverse words without any understanding is blameworthy, while the recitation or reading of the Qur'an—done with or without understanding—contains enormous reward. However, reading with understanding is more virtuous.

In part of a Hadith, Hadhrat Abu Saeed (Radiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"...the superiority of the word of Allah over all other words is like the superiority of Allah (The Creator) over all His creations."

Tilawat-ul-Quran is an action (an Ibaadah) of great merit in itself. Moreover, it is the best and most effective form of Zikrullah. Therefore, it is an ideal means to approach Allah Ta'ala, and by engaging in Tilawat, one develops within oneself a certain affinity (nisbat) with Allah Ta'ala while being overwhelmed with Divine Grace and having one’s heart flooded with the light of Imaan.

Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal (Rahimahullah) said:

I saw Allah Ta'ala in a dream and I asked Him what was the best way to get closer to Him. He replied: 'O Ahmad! It is My Word (i.e. the Qur'an)!' I asked Him whether the recitation should be with or without understanding, and He replied: 'With or without understanding. Either of the two ways is a means of seeking My nearness.'"

Hadhrat Sahl Tastari (Rahimahullah) said that the proof of love for Allah lies in the existence of love for the word of Allah in one's heart.

Mullah ‘A’li Qaari (Rahimahullah) reported from Tirmizi that in the presence of Allah, the Almighty, the Qur'an will implore Allah to give its reader an adornment. Allah Ta'ala will bestow upon him a crown of honour. The Qur'an will ask for additional favours for him. Then, Allah Ta'ala will express His pleasure to him.

What is more valuable than having the pleasure of Allah? If one has to move the heavens and the earth to obtain His pleasure, it would not be a vain thing - as success in the Hereafter lies in having the pleasure and satisfaction of Allah acquired upon oneself. In addition, to say that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) has already given us a magic formula that can unlock the key to success—the reading of the Qur'an, the infallible word of Allah Ta'ala. Therefore, no Muslim should neglect the reading and study of the Qur'an. In the world in which we live, we are harassed morning and evening by satanic and carnal invitations, and our hearts are continually diverted from the thought of Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala. If we do not get a grip, then the heart will exceed all limits and be subject to constant rust. It is, therefore, imperative that every Muslim man and woman take care to strengthen their Imaan and make their hearts shine with the light of Imaan and the recognition of Allah (the Ma'rifat) by reciting the Tilawat-ul-Qur'an regularly.

No one can say that he is too busy and has no free time for Tilawat. Let us put aside that little satanic box called television or those books that make us build castles in Spain and turn instead to the Qur'an—the source of the path of salvation. Even if at the beginning we start by reading only one ruku every day, we must consider this progress and say, "Alhamdulillah." Do we not say that "little by little, the bird builds its nest"? Allah Ta'ala does not look at the quantity but at the consistency, even if the number is small. Consistency is a sign of sincerity. In a Hadith of Bukhari, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"... and the best action (act of piety) to Allah is that which is done regularly."

Below are some Ahaadith on the merit of Tilawat. May Allah, Al-Haadi, grant us the Taufiq to derive maximum benefit from it.

THE MERITS OF TILAWAT‎‎

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said: "He who reads a letter from the Book of Allah (i.e. the Qur'an-e-Kareem) will receive in return one Hasanah, and one Hasanah is equivalent to ten units of reward. I do not say that 'Alif-Laam-Meem' is one letter; rather, Alif is one letter, Laam is one letter, and Meem is one letter." (Tirmizi)

"Reciting the Qur'an (from memory) earns one thousand units of sawaab, and reading the Qur'an (while looking at the text) increases the sawaab to two thousand units." (Baihaqi‎)

('Recite' means to pronounce what one knows of the Qur'an by heart, while 'read' means to pronounce the words of the Qur'an by looking at it.)

Indeed, hearts become rusty just as iron becomes rusty when water reaches it. Someone asked: "O Prophet of Allah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam)! What can make them shine again?" He replied: "A frequent reminder of death and the recitation of the Qur'an." (Baihaqi‎‎)

He who listens (to the recitation of a verse from the Book of Allah) is credited with a double virtue, while he who recites it (a verse) will have it as a light for him on the Day of Judgement. (Ahmad)

Hadhrat Abu Zar (Radiyallahu anhu) said: I asked, "Ya Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), advise me." He (Rasulullah [Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam]) said: "Cultivate the fear of Allah, for it is the root of everything (all virtuous deeds)." I then said, "Ya Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), add something to it," and he said: "Recite the Qur'an, for it is a light for you in this world and a provision for the Hereafter."(Ibn Hibbaan)

The houses in which the Qur'an-e-Paak is recited shine for the inhabitants of heaven as the stars shine for the inhabitants of the earth. (Hadith)

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu) said:

"The house in which the Qur'an is recited, its members increase, virtues and blessings multiply therein, the angels descend therein, and Satan leaves that house. A house in which the Qur'an is not recited, distress seizes it, it is devoid of blessings, the angels desert it, and the devils ravage it."

 [English version of "Les merites du Tilawat" – Al Haadi – Vol. 3 No. 1]