The Mannerisms & Characteristics of those who uphold the Qur'aan - 5

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From the negative descriptions that a person should be free from is that they should not display arrogance and arrogant behaviour towards anyone. They should not be overbearing, presumptuous, boastful, haughty and treating others unjustly. All these traits negates humbleness.

Anas رضي اللّه عنـه  narrated that the Messenger of Allaahصلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم  said:

'Humble yourselves so that you won't boast. The one who boasts will be a party against another nor should he display arrogant behaviour to someone else.'

(Bukhari)

From the characteristics that the beholder of the Qur'aan should free himself from is that they should not have 'bad thoughts about anyone) - (soo ad-dhan) except for someone who deserves it i.e. their situation is clear. Other than that, we should have good thought of our brothers and sisters in Islaam. 

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The Forgiveness Granted on Laylatul Qadr

Contemplate, on the Mercy of Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى, that ONE night of worship 

may ERASE a lifetime of sins: 

It is reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah رضي اللّه عنـه, that Allaah’s Messenger (صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) said:

‘Whoever stood in prayer on the night of Al-Qadr, in faith and hoping for a reward from Allaah, he will have ALL of his previous sins forgiven.’

(Narrated by Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

O people! Fear Allaah (سُبحانه وتعالى) and take advantage of the seasons of goodness and Allaah’s (سُبحانه وتعالى) favors by building up what draws you nearer to your Lord, and beware of wasting and giving up these opportunities. If you do so, you will regret every moment you waste.

O brothers! If you do not profit in this great month, then when do you plan to profit? If one does not revert to his Lord in this month, when does he intend to revert? He who is still inactive in gaining the favors and goodness of this month, when does he think he will be righteous and successful?

My brothers! Take advantage of the opportunities in this month before it is too late! Keep your souls away from its destruction and ruin. Your great month has started to diminish. The count has begun on its precious nights and days. So make up for what you have missed and take advantage of what is left before it is too late. Hurry to Allaah, the Almighty! Repent for your sins, and know that actions are but by conclusion, so conclude your actions with good deeds. Two thirds of this great month have passed. What is left of it, is only one-third, but it is the last ten days of Ramadhan, [which are the most virtuous and precious days]. Avail yourselves of these days with honest intentions, doing all what is righteous and being benevolent.

Actions Specific to the Last Ten Days of Ramadhan

The Messenger - صلى الله عليه وسلم - used to specify the last ten days of Ramadhan with specific actions that he wouldn’t practice during the rest of the month.

Amongst them: Staying up at night, it is possible that what is meant is that he would stay up the whole night, in the Hadeeth of ‘Aa-ishah: 

“The Messenger used to combine between sleep and prayer during the first twenty days, when that last ten came in, he would role up his sleeves and tighten his Izaar.”

[Narrated by Ahmad]

It is also possible that what is meant is that he used to stay up the majority of the night, this opinion is supported by a Hadeeth collected by Muslim on the authority of ‘Aa-ishah: 

“I do not know that he ever stayed up until the morning for even one night.”

Striving is a must in the Last 10 days of Ramadhan - MUST READ

Sheikh Saleh al-Fawzan (hafidhahullaah) says in Lesson 26 “The Virtue of Laylatul Qadr and the importance of striving for it” from “Ittihaaf Ahlil-Eemaan bi Duroos Shahri Ramdhan,”  pages 63-65:

الحمد لله فضّل شهر رمضان على غيره من الشهور، وخصه بليلة القدر، التي هي خير من ألف شهر، والصلاة والسلام على نبينا محمد وآله وصحبه، أما بعد:

All praise is due to Allaah, He gave preference to the month of Ramadhan over other than it from the (other) months, and may blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Companions. Allaah the Most High said:

‘We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed night in the month of Ramadhan. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments.’

 [Ad-Dukhaan (44):4]

And the Most High said:

‘Verily! We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the night of Al-Qadr, And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months [i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months.] Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees, Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.’

[Al-Qadr (97)]

And it is in the blessed month of Ramadhan, due to the saying of the Most High:

‘The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between Truth and falsehood).’ [al-Baqarah (2):185]

The Mannerisms & Characteristics of those who uphold the Qur'aan - 4

From the characteristics of the beholders of the Qur'aan {Hamalatul Qur'aan - حَمَلَةُ القُرْان} should have is that they should NOT be known for a lot of laughter. Imaam Aajuri - آجُرِّي (رحمه الله) mentioned that he should be known for laughing a little. It has been confirmed that the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم would laugh in particular situations but he did not do this in abundance.  

Abu Huraira رضي اللّه عنـه reported: The Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said,

“Do not laugh too much. Verily, too much laughter will harden the heart.”

(Sunan Ibn Mājah 4193 - saheeh according to al-Albani)

 The next characteristic Aajuri (رحمه الله) mentioned is that the person should NOT be amazed at his capabilities. They should not praise themselves concerning that which Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى has blessed and bestowed upon him. This could be knowledge, wealth, skills, his ability to recite the Qur'aan, the quantity he has memorized. 

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The Mannerisms & Characteristics of those who uphold the Qur'aan - 3

 

Second Chapter

Characteristics of the People of Qur'aan {Hamalatul Qur'aan - حَمَلَةُ القُرْان}

- {The mannerisms that this person should strive to attain}

Aajuri (رحمه الله) mentioned that it is from both Sheikh Abu Bakr Zaid (رحمه الله) and Imaam an-Nawawi رحمه الله in Tibyaan that:

** Both the teacher and the student must have the intention for the pleasure of Allaah in this action of reciting the Qur'aan.

إنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ

'Actions are but by intentions..'

The Salaf used to say:

"The people are not given except according to their intention..."

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People of the Qur'aan - conclusion of Lesson 2.

*** ...(Conclusion of the 2nd Lesson)

Characteristics that will cause us to desire and crave to be from the People of the Qur'aan - (حَمَلَةُ القُرْان) & those whom Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى  has praised

A few ahadith that will aid us to increase our humility and make us yearn to be from among the People of the Qur'aan:

The First Hadith:

Uthman ibnAffan رضي اللّه عنـه   narrated that the Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم  said:

 ‏ "‏ خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ ‏"

'The BEST of you are those who study the Qur'aan (learn) & then teach it."

(Bukhari)

- Sheikh Al-Bani (رحمه الله) said concerning this hadith in as-Silsilah as-Saheehah: 

"This indicates to the studying of the Qur'aan and the BEST  teachers are those who teach the Qur'aan."

-- There are many types of sciences that are taught but the BEST teachers are those that teach the Qur'aan.

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If something leaves you powerless...???

"If something leaves you powerless and incapacitated, then repeat: 

‘Lā ḥawla wa lā quwata illā billāh’

(There is no might nor power except with Allāh), 

Allāh will make your matter easy."

Ibn al-ʿUthaimīn (رحمه الله),

  {Sharḥ Riyāḍ aṣ-Ṣāliḥīn 5/522}

“But I Don’t Have Time for the Qur'aan..!"

Ibn ʿAbbas رضي اللّه عنـه said, 

"What prevents any of you, when you return from the market or from fulfilling your duties and you recline on your bed, from reciting three verses of the Qurʾān?!"

[Sunan ad-Dārmī]