The obligations Muslims owe to Quran

6. Committing to Memory:

If the Qur�an is to be recited as it was recited by the Holy Prophet (SAW), we have to learn by heart as much of the Holy Book as possible. Unfortunately, the practice of memorizing portions of the Qur�an for long recitations in the post-midnight prayer has almost died out. However, the custom of memorizing the whole Qur�an still exists. Naturally, for this a start has to be made in childhood when the question of understanding the Qur�an does not arise, but even this custom is losing ground. Memorizing the whole Qur�an has unluckily been left to a class of poor and down-trodden people in our society who adopt it as a profession. This was not the case till recent years. In the pre-partition days, the custom of memorizing the entire Qur�an was quite common even among respectable, well-to-do families, and in some cities in undivided India almost every Muslim family had at least one hafiz (i.e., one who has learned the whole Qur�an by heart). In those days, it was considered to be discreditable on the part of a family not to have a hafiz among its members.

No doubt, memorizing the Qur�an is a noble tradition. It is a part of the Divine dispensation for the preservation of the Qur�an and should be maintained with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. However, committing the whole Qur�an to memory is not within the reach of every person. What I wish to stress here is that every one of us should try his utmost to learn maximum portion of the Qur�an by heart so that he may be able to recite it to his Lord, standing before Him in prayer. This is the essential prerequisite for reciting the Book of Allah (SWT) as it ought to be recited and as it was recited by the Holy Prophet (SAW) himself, but it is a pity that we have lost eagerness and fervor for memorizing the Qur�an. Even men of religious learning among us have grown quite negligent in this matter. The condition of even those who lead the congregational prayers in mosques is no better. Most of them seem to have become contented with a few short Surahs they have once committed to memory and go on repeating them in prayers. Surely, it is a sad state of affairs that must be corrected. All of us must develop in our hearts a deep love for the Qur�an, look upon the part of the Holy Book we have memorized as our real and most valuable asset in life, and make a continuous effort at increasing and enhancing it. Thus shall we be able to experience the blissful joy to tarteel and provide for our souls greater and greater amount of sustenance in the best possible form.

3-Tazakkur wa Tadabbur

(Recalling through the Qur�an the fundamental truths intuitively recognized by human nature, and reflecting over its meaning)

We have discussed two of the claims that the Qur�an has upon us:

(i) that we should believe in it and

(ii) that we should recite it.

Now we proceed to explain the third claim it has upon us. It is that we should understand it. Obviously, the Qur�an has been revealed that it may be understood. There would be no sense in believing in it if we do not follow its meanings. Also, how can it serve as a source of guidance for us if we fail to comprehend its message. Mere recitation (i.e., recitation without understanding the meaning of the text) may be excusable in the case of persons who have not been fortunate enough to receive any education, and who are now past the age at which one can do so. Even a clumsy recitation on their part may be acceptable and may win them a reward from Allah (SWT). Similarly, a person who cannot read the Qur�an at all, nor can learn how to do so, may get a reward and blessings from Allah (SWT) even if he just moves his fingers affectionately and reverently along the lines of the Holy Book, believing it to be kalam Allah (the Word of Allah). However, the case of those persons will be quite different who may have devoted a considerable part of their lives to their secular education � who may have acquired a knowledge of different arts and sciences and may have learnt foreign languages besides their own. If these educated persons were to read the Qur�an thoughtlessly and without understanding its meaning, then it is very much possible that, in the sight of Almighty Allah (SWT), they may be considered guilty of dishonoring and ridiculing the Holy Book. For these persons, it is possible that the punishment for ignoring the meaning and message of the Qur�an may exceed the reward for reciting its text. However, if they make a firm resolve to acquire a knowledge of the Qur�an and start earnest efforts in this direction, they may in the meantime continue to read the Qur�an in the way they can. Perhaps, under the circumstances, recitation, mere and simple, may be acceptable from them and may even bring them a reward from Allah (SWT).

As for the comprehension of the Qur�an, it is not a simple affair. It has numerous stages and grades accessible to different persons according to the levels of their thinking. The Holy Qur�an is like an unbounded sea from which a scholar can bring out pearls of knowledge and wisdom according to his natural ability, intellectual equipment, and mental makeup. His efforts to comprehend the Qur�an will be rewarded in proportion to the enthusiasm, time, and labor that he puts into its study and research. At the same time, it will be found that so far as its comprehension is concerned, no person, however intelligent and learned, shall ever feel that he has done justice to the Qur�an even though he may have spent his whole life pouring over its pages and meditating over its meanings. The Holy Prophet (SAW) himself has characterized the Qur�an as a treasure (of knowledge and wisdom) which shall never to exhausted. It is such a source of guidance that man shall ever continue to feel the need of reverting to it and reflecting upon it.

�for this let (all) those strive who want to strive. (Al-Mutaffifin 83:26)

Therefore, let men of courage and determination come forward to undertake the stupendous task of Qur�anic research, fired with the noble ambition of surpassing others in this field.