Excellence of Reciting The Holy Qur'an

Summary of Friday Sermon

delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

October 21^st, 2005

In this Friday Sermon Huzur^aba gave a discourse on the excellence of reciting the Holy Qur’an while reflecting on its meanings and making its teachings part of one’s daily life.

Citing verse 122 of Surah Al Baqarah (2:122) Huzur^aba began by explaining the prominence Quranic reading and understanding takes during Ramadan and explained that its revelation started in this blessed month and that at the time of the Holy Prophet^saw each Ramadan Hadhrat Gabriel^as used to repeat hitherto revealed sections of the Holy Qur’an with him. It is in accordance with this Sunnah that Muslims try and finish one or two complete readings of the Holy Qur’an during Ramadan. However, Huzur^aba said Quranic reading should not be hasty; traditions relate that the Holy Prophet^saw enjoined even those whose mother-tongue was Arabic not to finish a reading of the Qur’an in less than three days, while some traditions mention not less than seven days. Huzur^aba said the main objective of reading the Qur’an is to reflect on it and make it a part of one’s life. That is what the Companions of the Holy Prophet^saw did and the verse above (2:122) bears witness to that.

Huzur^aba said during Ramadan everyone wakes early to observe nafl Salat and tries to recite as much Quranic verses as one remembers during this, later, one reads the Qur’an at Fajr time. Expounding the preference of reading the Qur’an at this time Huzur^aba cited verse 79 of Surah Bani Israel (17:79) and said that we must endeavour and continue with these practices after Ramadan is over.

Huzur^aba said each person have their individual style and capacity to read the Qur’an, some read it quickly while others unhurriedly, what we are enjoined is to read it with understanding, as the Qur’an itself mentions in verse 5 of Surah Muzzammil (73:5). Huzur^aba related a personal experience when once someone checked him for what they thought was hesitant reading while Huzur^aba assured them that it was his style of reading the Qur’an and that was the way he enjoyed it; to read it thoughtfully and with pauses.

Huzur^aba said it is in deference to the Qur’an that it is read with consideration, even if one knows the meanings well; it is a believer’s task to read the Qur’an with full comprehension. Huzur^aba said it carried guidance for people of all capacities and background and it was up to us how much of its teachings we adopted.

Today it is each Ahmadi’s duty to adopt this book that carries guidance with profusion in our daily lives; to act upon its commandments and to avoid what it forbids and never to be among those about whom the Qur’an states in verse 31 of Surah Al Furqan (25:31) that they discarded it. Referring to this verse Huzur^aba said the current age is the one that is mentioned therein when people have developed countless other interests to occupy their time, to name one, the internet. The Promised Messiah^as revived the teaching of the Qur’an in the present age, therefore it is the obligation of each Ahmadi to not only adopt its teachings but to propagate it further. Huzur^aba said the Promised Messiah^as said “Those who shall honour the Qur’an, shall be honoured in the hereafter”.

Citing verse 83 of Surah Bani Israel (17:83) Huzur^aba said the ‘healing’ factor mentioned in the verse can only be truly derived in physical as well as spiritual terms if we truly reflect of what we read and adopt it sincerely.

Huzur^aba remarked that while there is a plethora of publications against Islam, some non-Muslims do write with a positive approach, for example Karen Armstrong, a well-known religious author has written about the comments Fay Weldon (a British writer) made about the Holy Qur’an in which she said that it is ‘food for no thought’ and that ‘it gives weapons and strength to the thought police’. Explaining Huzur^aba said the Qur’an itself has claimed that in it is only guidance for those who are righteous (2:3). Reiterating Huzur^aba said having adopted the teachings of the Qur’an we need to silence such people with our deeds reflecting the pure teaching.

Huzur^aba related several Ahadith to further elucidate the blessings of reading and enacting on the Holy Qur’an. The Holy Prophet^saw said that good decreases and evil increases in a house where the Qur’an is not read, he enjoined to enhance the beauty of the Holy Qur’an with one’s fine voice. He also said that on the Day of Judgment the Qur’an shall intercede on behalf of those who read it sincerely, that Surah Baqarah and Surah Al Imran shall defend those who read them. The Holy Prophet^saw called Surah Baqarah a part of the zenith of the Holy Qur’an. He said that reading of Quranic portions in Salat is of the most excellence, that it is of greater excellence than otherwise reading it.

Huzur^aba read many extracts from the writings of the Promised Messiah^as illustrating the merits of reading the Qur’an. The Promised Messiah^as said reading of the Qur’an is the root/core of worship; it is the Word of the Beloved and when words of a beloved are read they generate passion and fervour in one.

Huzur^aba prayed that may we derive greater benefits from the Qur’an in the remaining few days and may we self-reflect and resolve to make all that we have spiritually gained during Ramadan a part of our daily lives. May Allah enable us all to ever be the recipients of the beneficence of the blessings of the Qur’an.