Virtues of the Quran (part 2 of 2)

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Description: This 2 part lesson discusses the virtues and blessings of reciting the Quran and special portions of the sacred text.

Published on 09 Nov 2015 - Last modified on 25 Jun 2019

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Objectives

·To learn additional rewards of reciting the Quran.

·To learn the reward of specific surahs (chapters) of the Quran.

Arabic Terms

·Surah – chapter of the Quran.

Virtues_of_the_Quran_Part_2._001.jpg Emphasizing the importance of reciting the Quran, the Prophet said, “The example of a believer who recites the Quran is that of a citrus fruit which tastes good and smells good; and one who does not recite the Quran is like a date which tastes good but has no smell. The example of a wicked person who recites the Quran is that of basil which smells good but tastes bitter; and a wicked person who does not recite the Quran is like a vine which tastes bitter and has no smell.”[1]

The Quran, the words of Allah, has many virtues. Each surah of the Quran is important but some of the surahs have special importance. The best surahs to recite for a new Muslim are those that will accrue the greatest reward for him and help him memorize them as well.

In this lesson, we will mention the virtues of the last three chapters of the Quran which are short but powerful:

Build a house in Paradise by Reciting Surah al-Ikhlas: The Prophet said: “Whoever recites Qul huwa Allaahu ahad [Surah al-Ikhlas] ten times, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.”[2]

Reciting Surah al-Ikhlas is Equivalent to One-Third of the Quran: A man heard another man reciting Qul huwa Allaahu ahad [Surah al-Ikhlas] and repeating it. The next morning he came to the Messenger of Allah, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, and told him about that. The man thought that it was too little, but the Messenger of Allah said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, it is equivalent to one-third of the Quran.”[3]

A man stayed up to worship Allah at the time of the Prophet just before dawn and recited Qul huwa Allaahu ahad [Surah al-Ikhlas], but did not recite anything else. In the morning, the man came to the Prophet and told him about this, thinking that perhaps he was not doing enough. The Messenger of Allah said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, it is equivalent to one-third of the Quran.”[4]

It is recommended to Recite Surah al-Ikhlas before sleeping: Aisha reported that when the Prophet went to bed, he would cup his hands together, blow into them and recite into them Qul huwa Allahu ahad [Surah al-Ikhlas], Qul a’oodhu bi Rabbil-falaq [Surah al-Falaq] and Qul a’oodhu bi Rabbin-naas [Surah an-Naas] (these are the last 3 chapters of the Quran). Then he would wipe as much of his body as he could with his hands, starting with his head and face, and the front of his body. He would do this three times.[5]

The love for Surah al-Ikhlas: Aisha also reported that the Prophet sent a man in charge of a small military campaign, and when he recited the Quran while leading his companions in prayer, he would always end with Qul huwa Allaahu ahad [Surah al-Ikhlas]. When they came back, (his companions) mentioned that to the Prophet, who told them to ask him why he did that. So they asked him, and he said, “Because it is a description of the Most Merciful, and I love to recite it.” The Prophet said: “Tell him that Allah loves him.”[6]

Reciting Surah al-Ikhlas every night: Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir said “I met the Messenger of Allah and he said to me: ‘O Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir, shall I not teach you some surahs the like of which have not been revealed in the Torah or the Psalms or the Gospel or in the Quran? No night should come except you recite in it (i.e., every night you should recite) Qul huwa Allaahu ahad [Surah al-Ikhlas], Qul a’oodhu bi Rabbil-falaq [Surah al-Falaq] and Qul a’oodhu bi Rabbin-naas [Surah an-Naas].’” ‘Uqbah said: “So every night I would recite them. It became my duty to recite them, because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had commanded me to do so…”[7]

Paradise is His Right: The Prophet heard a man reciting Qul huwa Allaahu ahad, and said, “It is his right.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is his right?” He said, “Paradise is his right.”[8]

There are many great virtues mentioned in these lessons for general recitation of the Quran in Arabic and reciting some of the longer surahs. There are also great virtues of reciting smaller surahs of the Quran that are easy to memorize, like Surah al-Fatihah and Surah al-Ikhlas.

Until you cannot read Quran well, if you listen to it being recited by someone else and seek the reward that has been mentioned for that, then there is hope that you will have the same reward as the one who reads it, because of your good intention and doing what you are able to do.

Footnotes:

[1] Saheeh Al-Bukhari

[2] Saheeh al-Jami’ al-Sagheer

[3] Saheeh Al-Bukhari

[4] Saheeh Al-Bukhari

[5] Saheeh Al-Bukhari

[6] Saheeh Al-Bukhari

[7] Musnad Ahmad

[8] Musnad Ahmad

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