A Guide For Memo Rising The Noble Quran

A Guide for Memorising the Noble Qur'aan English Translation and Compilation by Amjad ibn Muhammad Rafiq Edited and Supplemented by Muhammad al-Jibali Copyright 1996 by AIM - University of Essex Islamic Society

After the Memorisation 1. To Fear Falling into Riyaa' (Showing Off) Showing off means that a person desires to become of memoriser of the Qur'aan for the sake of honour and for position and reverence in the hearts of people. He shows and makes apparent to them the extent and perfection of his memorisation and this is but an instance of Shirk. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: "Indeed, what I fear for you the most is the Minor Shirk." The Companions said: "And what is the Minor Shirk, O Messenger of Allaah?". He replied: "Ar-Riyaa' (Showing off), Allaah Azzawajall will say on the Day of Judgement when he will recompense His servants: Go to those to whom you used to show off and make a display to in the world and then see if you can find any reward with them."25 And also, amongst the first of people to be judged on the Day of Judgement is the one who had learnt knowledge and taught it and who recited the Qur'aan. The Messenger of Allaah said: "The first amongst mankind to be judged on the Day of Judgement..." and amongst them is "... a man who studied [religious] knowledge and taught it and who used to recite the Quran. He will be brought and Allah will make known to him His favours and he will recognize them. Allaah will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I studied [religious] knowledge and I taught it and I recited the Quran for Your sake. He will say: You have lied - you did but study [religious] knowledge that it might be said [of you]: He is learned. And you recited the Quran that it might be said [of you]: He is a reciter. And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire."26 Therefore, it is obligatory for the one seeking deliverance in the Hereafter that he is zealous in maintaining his sincerity at all times. 2. To Be Cautious of Being Neglectful in Acting Upon the Qur'aan. This is because the Qur'aan was revealed so that it may be acted upon and that it may be taken as a way and methodology for one's life in this world. Ibn Mas'ood (ra) said: "The Qur'aan was sent down so that they may act upon it and so that they turn what

they have studied from it into action. Indeed one of you recites the Qur'aan from its beginning to its end and will not drop a single letter, but he will leave acting upon it."27 And some of the People of Knowledge have said: "Verily, a servant recites the Qur'aan while he curses himself and yet he does not know: He recites: Indeed the curse of Allaah is upon upon the wrongdoers, and he wrongs his own soul. He recites: The curse of Allaah is upon liars, and he is one of them."28 Anas (ra) said: "Perhaps a person recites the Qur'aan and the Qur'aan curses him."29 3. Not Being Amazed with Oneself and Considering Oneself Above the Rest of Creation Being amazed with oneself means a person magnifies himself on account of what he has memorised of the Qur'aan and thinking his position is above that of others. However, Allaah the Exalted is the One Who guides a person to that and the One Who makes it easy. If it had not been for His benevolence and His bounty the servant would not have been able to memorise the Qur'aan or even a small portion of it. The opposite of this is necessary for the servant, and that is to show gratitude and thankfulness to Allaah for His favour. Considering oneself above the rest of creation means to have pride and to consider oneself to have reached perfection or a station which those around him have not reached. This leads him to hold them in contempt and considering them ignorant. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: "He will not enter Paradise in whose heart there is an atom's weight of pride."30 4. Knowing that Forgetting the Qur'aan is Due to Sinning There are many texts in the Book and the Sunnah which make the sins of a servant, the cause of whatever afflictions befall him. Amongst the greatest of them, no doubt, is forgetting the Qur'aan. This matter was well known to the Salaf and for this reason ad-Dahaak Mazaahim said: "There is no one who learnt the Qur'aan and then forgot it except due to a sin that he committed, because Allaah the Exalted said: And whatever calamity befalls you, it is due to what your hands have earned31 and, indeed, forgetting the Qur'aan is among the greatest of calamities."32 It is also reported from Ibn Seereen that the Salaf used to hate the one who would forget the Qur'aan and they would speak about him using very severe words.33 So do not be deceived - O Muslim - by Shaytaan and your soul after you have memorised from the Qur'aan either by becoming proud, being amazed with oneself,

disdaining others, or by forgetting it or by neglecting its due right - which is but acting upon it. All of that will make vain and useless your efforts in memorising it, and Allaah is the One from Whom all help is sought. Indeed, success is only attained through Allah's help. May Allah bestow His blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammed (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam), his family, Companions and all those who follow them until the Day of Judgement.