Wipe the dust off your Mushaf & let's start reciting!

Reading the Qur'aan during Ramadaan - (Extracts of the article)

'Abdullaah bin Saalih Al-Fawzaan 

                                                                  
   

Let's turn our attention to the Qur’aan this blessed month.

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ

“The month of Ramadhan is that in which the Qur’aan was revealed…”

Abu Umaamah (radiAllaahu 'anhu) reported that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) 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 & implement it)." ⁽¹⁾

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 (صلى الله عليه وسلم) 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 (صلى الله عليه وسلم) likened them to three examples, which I have not forgotten afterwards. He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) 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.'" ^[2]

'Abdullaah Ibn 'Amr (radiAllaahu 'anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) 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." ^[3]

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. He 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 used to meet with the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) during each night of Ramadaan and they would study the Qur'aan together. ^[4] So if making Dhikr (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 studying the Qur'aan during Ramadaan and gathering together for that occasion as well as turning towards one who is more prominent in the memorization of it. 

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."

The person reciting the Qur'aan must observe the proper etiquettes of recitation. Some of them are that: He makes 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.

                                   

Footnotes: 

[1] Saheeh Muslim
[2] Reported by Muslim (804)
[3] Saheeh Muslim (804)
[4] Al-Bukhaaree (1/30) and Muslim (2308)