Answer
Short Answer: Because it’s the duty of every Muslim to understand the Quran, it will be a proof of our faith in Allah on the Day of Judgment, our status in this life before Allah will be higher than if we don’t read the Quran, and our position in Paradise is even higher for each letter of the Quran that we read!
My brother in Islam, you must know that reciting and reflecting over the Quran and devoting time regularly to its study and its’ implementation in one’s life has tremendous benefits here and in the Hereafter.
So, let us see a few of them in order to attach ourselves more firmly to the Quran. Each benefit is an inspiration for us.
Reading and reflecting over the Quran fulfills an Islamic duty
Indeed the Prophet (peace be upon him) summarized this Religion with his statement:
“The Religion is naseehah (loyalty or sincerity)!”
So then Tameem ibn Aws, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “We asked, ‘To whom?’”
He said:
“To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the people, and their common folk.” [Muslim]
The sincerity that is due to the Book of Allah includes its regular recitation, learning the rules of tajweed and reciting it beautifully.
It also includes learning about its tafseer and the reasons for its revelation.
We should also affirm that it is the Truth—the perfect Speech of Allah and not part of the creation—and honor it and defend it.
Last, but most important, we must abide by the orders and prohibitions found in it, teach it, and call others to it. [See Jaami’ul-’Uloom wal-Hikam of Ibn Rajab Al-Hambalee]
So by reading and reflecting over the Quran, one fulfills an obligation and is rewarded for that.
Upon fulfilling this obligation, the Qur’an then becomes a proof for him on the Day of Judgment!
The Quran will be a proof for us on the Day of Judgment
This is due to the Prophet’s statement:
“And the Quran is a proof for you or against you.” [Muslim]
So, if the Quran is in front of you it will lead you to Paradise (Jannah), if it is behind you it will drag you to Hell (Jahannam).
We need to think carefully about our position with the Quran: Are we neglecting it, contradicting it, ignoring its orders and prohibitions, do we deeply reflect over it?
Will it be in our favor on the Day of Judgment?
We ask Allah to make the Quran a proof for us, and not a proof against us, on that Day.
The Prophet said:
The Quran is an intercessor, something given permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise; whoever puts it behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire. [An authentic hadith found in At-Tabaraanee, on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood]
Your status in this life will be raised
In Saheeh Muslim, we find how ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, understood this principle: Some men came to question him during his khilaafah about the leadership of Makkah.
They asked, “Who do you use to govern Makkah?”
He said, “Ibn Abzaa.” They asked, “And who is Ibn Abzaa?”
Umar replied, “A freed slave from those we freed.”
They remarked, “You left a freed slave in charge of the people of the Valley (the noble tribes of the Quraysh)!?!?”
So he answered them,
Verily he is a reader of the Book of Allah and is knowledgeable about the obligations of the Muslims. Haven’t you heard the statement of your Messenger: “Verily Allah raises some people by this Book and lowers others by it.
You will be from the best of the people in this life, and the Next
‘Uthmaan, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
The best of you are the ones who learn the Quran and teach it to others. [Al-Bukhari]
‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-’Aas heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying:
It will be said to the companion of the Quran: Read and elevate (through the levels of the Paradise) and beautify your voice as you used to do when you were in the dunya! For verily, your position in Paradise will be at the last verse you recite! [Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithee, sahih]
In Summary:
It is essential for a Muslim to read the Quran. S/he must understand it. There are added benefits (blessings) in reading the Quran in Arabic.
The best practice is set a time (say, after Fajr) to read the Quran each day, read the Arabic and then, if one doesn’t understand Arabic, read the translation in your own language.
Also, one should try to find a scholar or a study circle to improve his understanding of the Quran.
(From Ask About Islam’s archives)
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