[QURAN - Part 1] Reciting the Qur'an in Ramadhan

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Abu Umamah (radiallaahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Recite the Qur'aan for indeed it will come on the Day of Judgement as an intercessor for its Ashaab (those who read, memorize and implement it)." (Saheeh Muslim). This hadeeth indicates the virtues of reciting the Qur'aan, the greatness of its reward and that it will intercede for its holders on the Day of Judgement towards their entrance into Paradise. 

An-Nawaas Ibn Sama'aan (radiallaahu anhu) reported: "I heard the Messenger of Allaah(sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) say: 'The Qur'aan will be brought on the Day of Judgement as well as the people who used to act upon it. Surat-ul-Baqarah and Aali 'Imraan will then approach them.' The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) likened them to three examples, which I have not forgotten afterwards. He (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: 'As if they were two clouds or two dark black canopies with light between them both or like two flocks of birds stretching their wings in the air pleading for the one who recited them.'" (Reported by Muslim) 

'Abdullaah Ibn 'Amr (radiallaahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: "The fast and the Qur'aan will intercede for the servant on the Day of Judgement. The fast will say: 'My Lord, I restricted him from food and drink, so allow me to intercede for him.' And the Qur'aan will say: 'I prevented him from sleeping at night, so allow me to intercede for him.' So they will be allowed to intercede." (Saheeh Muslim) 

Therefore, it is essential for the person fasting to recite the Qur'aan much during these blessed days and honorable nights. For indeed, there is a special virtue for the abundance of recitation in
these days, which is not found in any other month. One should take advantage of the nobleness of time during this month, in which Allaah revealed the Qur'aan. 

There is a special merit to reciting the Qur'aan in the nights of Ramadaan. For indeed, the night brings an end to the busy daily affairs, the enthusiasm is roused and the heart and the tongue mount upon reflecting. And Allaah is the one in whom we seek assistance. 

It is reported that Jibreel(alaiyhis salaam) used to meet with the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) during each night of Ramadaan and they would rehearse/recite the Qur'aan together. (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).  So if making thikr(remembrance of Allaah) were better than the Qur'aan or equal to it (on these nights), they would have done that all the time or at certain times along with constantly gathering for that occasion.

Thus, this hadeeth illustrates the precedence of reciting/rehearsing the Qur'aan during Ramadaan. The gathering together for that occasion(ie. Taraweeh salaah) is another means of acquiring of rehearsing and listening to the Glorious Qur'an. 

The predecessors of this ummah would recite the Qur'aan constantly during Ramadaan. And when they would fast, they would sit in the masaajid and say: "We will guard our fast and not backbite anyone." 

They would recite the Qur'aan in their prayer and out of it. 'Uthmaan (radiallaahu anhu) would complete the recitation of the (whole) Qur'aan once a day. And some of the Salaf(pious predecessors) would complete it during their qiyaam in Ramadaan every three nights. Some of them would do it every seven days and some every ten days. 

Imam Shaafi'ee(rahmatullahi alaiyh) would complete the Qur'aan sixty times during Ramadaan, while reciting it outside of prayer. Al-Aswad would recite the whole Qur'aan every two nights of Ramadaan. Qataadah would always compete the Qur'aan every seven days. He would do it every three days in Ramadaan, and during the last ten days, he would do it every night.

Al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab (rahimahullaah) said: "The forbiddance of reciting the Qur'aan in less than three days (as stated in a hadeeth) has only been mentioned in regards to its being done on a normal basis. As for the specific times that are virtuous, such as the month of Ramadaan and especially the nights in which the night of Al-Qadr is sought. Or those places that are virtuous, such as Makkah for the one who enters it without residing there, then it is recommended to recite the Qur'aan a lot in these times and places, seeking the merits connected with their time and place. This is the opinion of Ahmad, Abu Ishaaq and other scholars. And the actions of others indicate that as has been stated previously." (Lataa'if-ul-Ma'aarif) 

The person reciting the Qur'aan must observe the proper etiquettes of recitation. Some of them are that: He make his intention sincerely for Allaah, that he recite it whilst being in a state of purity, that he use the Siwaak and that he recite it while pondering on its meaning and observing total consciousness. Allaah says: "A Book, which We have revealed to you in order that its verses may be pondered upon, so that the people of understanding may be reminded."

Also, from the etiquettes of the recitation is that one does not stop his reciting in order to speak to someone else. Indeed, when many people sit to recite the Qur'aan, and there are people sitting next to them, a majority of the time, they stop their recitation and speak to their neighbors. This is not proper since it is turning away from the recitation without a valid reason. 

And it is on the one who recites, to act upon the Qur'aan, making permissible its Halaal and forbidding its Haraam, so that the Qur'aan can be a proof for him on the Day of Judgement and intercede for him in entering the gardens of bliss. 
Source: Ahaadeeth As-Siyaam: Ahkaam wa Adaab (pg.63-65) (trans. Qur'an was-Sunnah Association, NY)
Courtesy: AL-ISLAAH PUBLICATIONS ( www.everymuslim.net )

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[QURAN - Part 2] The Method of Concentration when Reciting the Quran

It is a normal practice that when a person is asked to recite the Qur'an, one will recite it very beautifully. As far as possible, one will recite with full concentration, a good tune and bear in mind all the necessary rules. Based on this, when you wish to recite the Qur'an, think to yourself that Allah Himself has said: "Let Me listen to you, I want to see how you read." You should bear in mind that Allah is listening carefully to what you are reading. You should also think to yourself that if you read with caution when someone else is listening to you, then how much more caution you will have to exercise when reciting to Allah. Once you have taken all these factors into consideration, commence reciting. As long as you are reciting, try and maintain these thoughts in your mind. If your recitation begins to falter and your concentration begins to drift, stop your recitation for a little while and bring the above-mentioned factors back to mind. In so doing, Inshâ Allah, your recitation will become correct and clear and your concentration will also be maintained. If you practice this over a period of time, you will be able to concentrate with ease.
Advice from a pious Predecessor
PART 3 TO FOLLOW.....
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[QURAN - Part 3] Easy Method to complete the recitation of the Qur'an in a Month

 Ramadhan is the month of the Qura'an.
Do you want to finish reading the Glorious Qur'an this Ramadhan Insha-Allah ? All one has to do is to read around 4.5 pages after each salaah.

4.5 X 5 salaahs a day X 30 days = 604 pages(approximately the number of pages in the Qur'an )

I never knew it was that easy to read the whole Quran each month, by spending few minutes after each salaah, AND WHAT AN INVESTMENT !!! and if one, wants to complete the recitation of the Glorious Qur'an once every two months, recite just 2 pages after each salaah. Each letter one reads counts 10 hasanat;

what about a word ??

what about a line ??

what about a page ??

what about a juz???

what about the whole Qur'an ??..........??

May we gather courage and strength to increase our recitation of the Qur'an in the month of Ramadhan.

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The etiquette of reciting the Qur'aan

Recite the Glorious Qur'an with eagerness and fervour and put all one's heart and soul in the recitation.

Engage oneself in the recitation of the Qur'an most of the time and never feel weary of reciting it. Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has affirmed: "Allah has ordained that any man who engages himself in the recitation of Glorious Qur'an so constantly that he finds no time to send prayers to Me, I shall provide him more without asking than those who ask." [At-Tirmithi] Further than this, the Nabi of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) observed: "The servant gets nearest to Allah by means of reciting the Glorious Qur'an."  [At-Tirmithi] Instructing the people to recite the Qur'an, Nabi (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) also observed: "The man who has studied the Glorious Qur'an and recites it daily can be likened to a basket full of musk whose sweet smell is making the whole atmosphere fragrant. And the man who has studied the Glorious Qur'an but does not recite it may be likened to a bottle full of musk whose mouth has been sealed with a stopper." [at-Tirmithi]

Recite the Glorious Qur'an with the sole motive of seeking guidance. Do not recite the Qur'an for the sake of gaining popularity, or establishing a reputation for good harmonious recitation or making a name for piety. These are base motives and he who recites the Glorious Qur'an with these motives in mind can obtain no guidance from the Qur'an.

Keep in mind the glory and value of the Qur'an and as you observe the etiquette of keeping your person neat and clean while reciting the Glorious Qur'an, so also you must purge your heart of evil thoughts, wicked passions and impure purposes. The heart that is tainted with evil and wicked thoughts and passions cannot appreciate and admire the glory of the Qur'an, nor can the bearer of such an evil heart grasp the meanings and realities of the Qur'an. Hadrat Ikrama (radhiyAllahu anhu), whenever he opened the Glorious Qur'an, he often fainted. He used to say "These are the words of my Creator and Glorious Lord."

Recite the Qur'an with the conviction that on this earth, this Book is the only source of Guidance for mankind. Meditate and reflect deeply over the meanings of the Qur'an from this viewpoint and try to grasp the realities and learn the wisdom contained in this Book. Do not recite it rapidly but form the habit of reading slowly, distinctly, and with careful understanding of the meanings and try to ponder over the message conveyed to us. Hadrat Abdullah bin Abbas (radhiyAllahu anhu) often remarked: "I consider it far better to recite small Surahs like Al-Qari'ah and Al-Qadr with understanding and care than to read through the longer Surahs of Al-Baqarah and 'Ale`-Imran at a rapid pace without careful understanding of the meanings of the words. Nabi (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) once recited this one verse over and over again all through the night: "If Thou punish them, Surely! they are slaves, and if Thou forgive them, Surely! Thou only Thou are the Mighty, the Wise."

Recite the Qur'an with full determination to adapt one's life to the injunctions of the Qur'an and to reform the pattern of your living in the light of the guidance provided by it. Make constant endeavors to order one's life in conformity with the Qur'anic injunctions and purge one's life of all impurities. The Glorious Qur'an like a mirror will clearly reflect each blot and spot on one's character. It is entirely one's own responsibility to wash off these blots and stains from one's life provided by the Guidance within the Qur'an. 

Before commencing Tilaawat:

Take care to be completely neat and clean before you sit down for recitation. Do not touch the Glorious Qur'an without performing an ablution (wudhu) and recite it sitting in a clean and tidy place. Perform Wudhu. It is a sin to touch the Qur'aan without Wudhu.
It is permissible to recite the Qur'aan from memory without handling the Qur'aan.
It is not permissible for a person, on whom ghusl is compulsory, to recite the Qur'aan at all even from memory.
Observe proper covering of one's private area when reciting Qur'an. One should wear proper head-dress when reciting the Glorious Qur'an. A male should wear something on his head (turban, koofi, etc.), and a female should cover her hair as if she were to perform Salaat.
Use a Miswaak and ensure that the mouth is thoroughly cleansed of any strong or offensive smell such as garlic, raw onion, cigarettes, cigars, tobacco etc.
Sit in a secluded place(if possible) facing the Qibla in an extremely dignified manner and recite the Qur'an with your head bowed in humility, with utmost care, complete attention, eagerness of heart and in a proper manner. Allah affirms: "(This is) a Book that We have revealed upon you, full of blessing, that you may ponder its revelations, and that men of understanding may get guidance from it."  [38 : 29].The respect for the Qur'aan should be regarded as binding on every Muslim at all times.
One should not lean against anything or stretch out one's legs or lie down whilst reciting.
The Qur'aan must be placed on an elevated position such as a rihaal (Qur'aan stand), desk or pillow. Do not place the Qur'aan on the musallah (carpet) or the Mimbar or any place on which people stand or sit. When not reciting Qur'an, the Qur'an should be kept on a high shelf, above all other books and literature. No book should be ever above nor should any book be on top of the Qur'an. Never let the Qur'an touch the ground.
The use of Itr is recommended before recital.
Compiled by Al-Islaah Publications using the following Source references:
1.Waterval Islamic Institute
2.http://www.geocities.com/~abdulwahid/quran/index.htm
Courtesy: AL-ISLAAH PUBLICATIONS ( www.everymuslim.net )

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The etiquette of reciting the Qur'aan
When commencing and during Tilaawat:
The Niyyat (intention) for the recital of the Qur'aan must be solely for the purpose of gaining Allah's pleasure and to obtain His favour.
Read Ta'awwuz (A'oozu Billahi minash shaytaanir rajeem) and Tasmiyyah(Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem) when commencing recitation.
Recite the Qur'aan with complete attention and humbleness and in a befitting manner, as if you are reading in response to Allah's command, and also that you are in His presence and that He is listening to your recital.
Do not recite in an extremely loud or very low voice. Keep your voice at a medium pitch.  Allah ordains: "Be not loud voiced in your prayer nor too low voiced but follow a way between."  When one is alone it is better to recite aloud. However if one is reading in a Masjid or where others are occupied in their Ibaadat, or there is fear of showing off, then it is best to recite softly. Recite in a melodious voice because this has been emphasised in many Ahaadith. Do not sing the verses or imitate the manner and style of the non-Muslims for this is totally forbidden.
As far as possible recite the Qur'an in a clear and distinct manner and read the letters correctly and utter the syllables in proper style (tajweed) and recite slowly. The Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) observed: "Use your voice and style to recite the Glorious Qur'an in the best manner." [Abu Dawud]. Nabi (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) used to recite each word in a clear and distinct manner and read each ayat separately. Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) affirmed: "He who recites the Glorious Qur'an will be told on the Day of Judgement: Recite the Glorious Qur'an now in the same clear and distinct manner and in the same harmonious style in which you used to recite it with care and propriety in the world and as a reward for the recitation of each verse you shall be elevated one degree higher and your ultimate place is near the end of the final verse." [At-Tirmithi] 
It is Waajib (compulsory) to recite the Qur'aan Kareem correctly. Do not recite with haste but make an effort to read with Tarteel (fluency) and with Tajweed (according to the rules of recitation).
Feel the impact of the verses during the recitation of the Glorious Qur'an. Rejoice and feel happy on reading about the narrations of Divine Mercy, Forgiveness and the Everlasting bounties of Paradise. And on reading about the narrations of the wrath, anger, and the terrific punishments of Hell, your body should tremble, eyes should flow with tears, and the heart should melt with the sentiments of repentence and shame. Your face should glow with the light of happiness on reading about the successes of the pious and faithful people and you should be seized with deep sorrow on reading about the destruction of nations. The study of ayats containing warnings and forebodings or torments should make you tremble and your soul should be filled to the brim with the sentiments of gratitude on reading the verses which bear glad tidings. When reciting with comprehension, then upon an Aayat describing mercy, ask for Allah's mercy and when reading an Aayat in which punishment is depicted then beseech Allah to save one from such punishment. On an Aayat pertaining to Allah's Glory and Sanctity one should say Sub'haanallah.
An effort must be made to understand the Qur'aan and where one is not conversant with the Arabic language one should endeavour to understand the meanings of Aayaat from the Ulama or from authentic translations. The Ahaadith of Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) strictly prohibit the translation and interpretation of the Qur'aan to suit one's own views, more especially so, when one is not fully aquainted with all the related sciences of the Qur'aan.
Try to shed tears while reciting even if one has to compel oneself to do so.
One must not talk during the Tilaawat of the Qur'aan. If an important matter has to be discussed with anyone then the recital should be stopped and the Qur'aan closed. If one desires to continue reading thereafter then read the Ta'awwuz (A'oozu billahi minash Shaytaanir rajeem), and Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem, and then continue from where one had stopped.
It is reported in the Hadith that whoever has recited the Qur'aan and thereafter praised Allah and conveyed blessings upon Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and asked for forgiveness from one's Sustainer, then surely he has asked for goodness from its very source.
Do not place any other book, kitaab or object (hat, cap, turban, or spectacles etc.), on the Qur'aan during or after recital.
Do not turn your back towards the Qur'aan during or after recital, and do not sit with the Qur'aan in such a position that it faces someone else's back.
If one feels tired and begins to yawn while reading the Qur'aan, then the recitation should be terminated and only continued after having rested or yawned.
Do not sit on a place which is higher than the Qur'aan when the Qur'aan is within sight. Do not sleep with your feet towards the Qur'aan.
After terminating the recital, place the Qur'aan respectfully on a high shelf, or any other safe place.
It is sinful to carelessly discard torn or worn pages of the Qur'aan. Do not throw them in the waste basket or bin. Usable pages must be carefully put into a Taahir-Paak (clean) wrapper and buried in a clean place.
Besides the Qur'aan, other pieces of paper or things with the names of Allah and Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) must not be shown disrespect by being carelessly discarded at places where these would be trampled upon.
After reciting the Qur'an offer any duaa. The words of one of the prayers offered by Hadrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) are as follows: "Allahummaarzuqnit-tafakkura wat-tadabbura bimaa yat-loohu lisaani min kitaabika wal-fahma lahoo. Wal-ma'rifata bima 'aa-neehi wan-nazara fee 'ajaa 'ibihi wal-'amala bidhalika maa baqeetu innaka 'alaa kulli shay 'in qadeer."  ( "O Allah! Whatever my tongue recites from Thy Kitab, grant me in favor to reflect upon it. Allah! bestow upon me the understanding of it. Vouchsafe to me the knowledge of its meaning, and spirit, and the vision to see its niceties. Grant me the favour to act according to its injunctions as long as I live. Your Being is without doubt Omnipotent.")   
Compiled by Al-Islaah Publications using the following Source references:
1.Waterval Islamic Institute
2.http://www.geocities.com/~abdulwahid/quran/index.htm
Courtesy: AL-ISLAAH PUBLICATIONS ( www.everymuslim.net )