Necessity of Qur’an Necessity of Qur’an Tilawa during RamadanTilawa during Ramadan

Sessions 1 & 2 of ALI 195Sessions 1 & 2 of ALI 195

Ramadan 1432/ August 2011Ramadan 1432/ August 2011

The Qur’an & the month of RamadanThe Qur’an & the month of Ramadan

Allah in the Qur’an 2:185: Allah in the Qur’an 2:185: �#ز�ل ف�يه %ن (ذ�ي ا م ض ان ال ه#ر% ر #ز�ل ف�يه� ش %ن (ذ�ي ا م ض ان ال ه#ر% ر ش آن% #ق4ر# آن%ال #ق4ر# ال

Month of Ramadan is in which the Qur’an was Month of Ramadan is in which the Qur’an was revealedrevealed

The Qur’an was revealed on the 23The Qur’an was revealed on the 23rdrd of Ramadan of Ramadan Al-Sadiq (a) was asked: The Qur’an was revealed Al-Sadiq (a) was asked: The Qur’an was revealed

over a period of 20 years, so how come the over a period of 20 years, so how come the Qur’an says it was revealed in Ramadan? Imam Qur’an says it was revealed in Ramadan? Imam responded: It was revealed as one document responded: It was revealed as one document ((jumlatan wahidatanjumlatan wahidatan) on Baytul Ma‘amur, then it ) on Baytul Ma‘amur, then it was sent down over a period of 20 years.was sent down over a period of 20 years.

Ramadan is season of revelationRamadan is season of revelation

In a Hadith from Holy Prophet (s) found in In a Hadith from Holy Prophet (s) found in al-Kafial-Kafi: : SuhufSuhuf Ibrahim (a) was revealed on Ibrahim (a) was revealed on the first night of Ramadan, Torah was the first night of Ramadan, Torah was revealed after passing of 6 (nights) in revealed after passing of 6 (nights) in Ramadan, and Injeel was revealed on the Ramadan, and Injeel was revealed on the 1313thth night of Ramadan, and Zabur was night of Ramadan, and Zabur was revealed on the 18revealed on the 18thth of Ramadan and the of Ramadan and the Qur’an was revealed on the 23Qur’an was revealed on the 23rdrd of Ramadan of Ramadan (6(6thth I: on night of Qadr) I: on night of Qadr)

The month is so holy that all scriptures get The month is so holy that all scriptures get sent out in it- it is the season of revelation.sent out in it- it is the season of revelation.

Recitation of the Qur’an in Ramadan Recitation of the Qur’an in Ramadan highly encouraged highly encouraged

In the famous sermon of Prophet (s) In the famous sermon of Prophet (s) welcoming the Holy Month he says: welcoming the Holy Month he says: So ask So ask Allah, your Lord, with truthful intentions & Allah, your Lord, with truthful intentions & pure hearts that He gives you tawfeeq to fast pure hearts that He gives you tawfeeq to fast in it and do tilawa of His bookin it and do tilawa of His book. .

Later, in the sermon he says: Later, in the sermon he says: one who does one who does tilawa in it an ayat from the Qur’an will have a tilawa in it an ayat from the Qur’an will have a reward of completing the (recitation of the ) reward of completing the (recitation of the ) entire Qur’an in other monthsentire Qur’an in other months..

Can we say that the strength/intensity of Can we say that the strength/intensity of recitation in this moth is over 6,000 times!!!recitation in this moth is over 6,000 times!!!

We pray for recitation of the Qur’anWe pray for recitation of the Qur’an

Du‘a for 2Du‘a for 2ndnd Day of Ramadan: Day of Ramadan: O Allah, on this O Allah, on this day take me closer to Your pleasure, and day take me closer to Your pleasure, and distance me in it from your wrath & distance me in it from your wrath & punishment, and give me tawfeeq to recite punishment, and give me tawfeeq to recite Your verses; with Your mercy, O the Most Your verses; with Your mercy, O the Most Merciful of the merciful.Merciful of the merciful.

Du‘a for 20Du‘a for 20thth Day of Ramadan: Day of Ramadan: O Allah, on this O Allah, on this day open for me the doors of the heavens and day open for me the doors of the heavens and lock for me the doors of Hell in it; and give me lock for me the doors of Hell in it; and give me tawfeeq to recite the Qur’an in it. O the who tawfeeq to recite the Qur’an in it. O the who sends tranquility into the hearts of believers.sends tranquility into the hearts of believers.

Recitation of the Qur’anRecitation of the Qur’an Most Muslims know the necessity of Most Muslims know the necessity of

tilaawa tilaawa reciting Qur’an regularlyreciting Qur’an regularly The Prophet (s) advised us to enlighten The Prophet (s) advised us to enlighten

our houses through its recitationour houses through its recitation He also said that the rust that gathers on He also said that the rust that gathers on

our hearts can be moved by its recitationour hearts can be moved by its recitation Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (a) has said that Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (a) has said that

nothing upsets our sworn enemies (Iblis nothing upsets our sworn enemies (Iblis and his army) like the recitation of Qur’anand his army) like the recitation of Qur’an

Is keeping the Arabic important?Is keeping the Arabic important? Despite understanding the importance of the Despite understanding the importance of the

Qur’an many argue that its recital in Arabic is not Qur’an many argue that its recital in Arabic is not necessary. They present following arguments:necessary. They present following arguments: The Qur’an was revealed in Arabic because that The Qur’an was revealed in Arabic because that

was the language of Prophet Muhammad and was the language of Prophet Muhammad and those living around himthose living around him

Today the vast majority of Muslims do not speak Today the vast majority of Muslims do not speak Arabic and therefore read the Qur’an in Arabic Arabic and therefore read the Qur’an in Arabic without any understanding of the meaningwithout any understanding of the meaning

The 5 most populated Muslim countries are all The 5 most populated Muslim countries are all non-Arab and do use Arabic as their national non-Arab and do use Arabic as their national language. (Indonesia, India, Pakistan, language. (Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria)Bangladesh and Nigeria)

Why recite it in Arabic?Why recite it in Arabic? There are many reasons why the There are many reasons why the

recitation of Qur’an should be in Arabic, recitation of Qur’an should be in Arabic, such as:such as: Meaning of Meaning of tilaawa tilaawa in Islamic literaturein Islamic literature Preservation of the Divine messagePreservation of the Divine message Deriving lessons from the original Deriving lessons from the original

messagemessage The miraculous impact of the Arabic The miraculous impact of the Arabic

recitationrecitation Easy to memorizeEasy to memorize Encourages Muslims to learn ArabicEncourages Muslims to learn Arabic Unity of MuslimsUnity of Muslims

Meaning of Meaning of tilawa tilawa in Islamic literaturein Islamic literature Whenever the Qur’an or the Hadith Whenever the Qur’an or the Hadith

instruct Muslims to do instruct Muslims to do tilawa tilawa ((الو ة� �الو ةت it it ((تrefers to the recitation in Arabic, because refers to the recitation in Arabic, because the Arabic original is the actual word of the Arabic original is the actual word of AllahAllah

Translations of the Qur’an do not carry Translations of the Qur’an do not carry the sacredness or label of Divine words the sacredness or label of Divine words because they are a human interpretation because they are a human interpretation and understanding of Allah’s wordsand understanding of Allah’s words

Thus, the rule of only being able to touch Thus, the rule of only being able to touch with wudhu apply solely to the Arabic text with wudhu apply solely to the Arabic text of the Qur’an and not to any translationof the Qur’an and not to any translation

Preservation of the Divine messagePreservation of the Divine message It is important that the Allah’s last message is It is important that the Allah’s last message is

not changed as were the previous scriptures:not changed as were the previous scriptures: Do you then hope that they would believe in Do you then hope that they would believe in

you, and a party from among them indeed used you, and a party from among them indeed used to hear the Word of Allah, then altered it after to hear the Word of Allah, then altered it after they had understood it?they had understood it? (2:75) (2:75)

Woe, then, to those who write the book with Woe, then, to those who write the book with their hands and then say: This is from Allah, so their hands and then say: This is from Allah, so that they may take for it a small price; that they may take for it a small price; therefore woe to them for what their hands therefore woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they have written and woe to them for what they earnearn (Qur’ān 2:79). (Qur’ān 2:79).

In order to safeguard the Qur’an from change the In order to safeguard the Qur’an from change the original Arabic must be keptoriginal Arabic must be kept

Deriving lessons from the original Deriving lessons from the original messagemessage

Over time and distance many messages Over time and distance many messages lose their original message. This happes lose their original message. This happes as people from different generations and as people from different generations and environments interpret and understand environments interpret and understand documents in their own waydocuments in their own way

However, by keeping the original However, by keeping the original document of the Qur’an with us and document of the Qur’an with us and reading it regularly Muslims have access reading it regularly Muslims have access to the same message which was revealed to the same message which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad f.to Prophet Muhammad f.

The miraculous impact of the Arabic The miraculous impact of the Arabic recitationrecitation

Over centuries, millions of Muslims have felt Over centuries, millions of Muslims have felt the miraculous impact of reciting the Qur’an the miraculous impact of reciting the Qur’an in its original form of Arabic, even those who in its original form of Arabic, even those who do not understand itdo not understand it

Many feel as if God is directly talking to them Many feel as if God is directly talking to them when they recite the Qur’an, and their worries when they recite the Qur’an, and their worries and problems suddenly seem insignificantand problems suddenly seem insignificant

There are many stories of enemies so amazed There are many stories of enemies so amazed by the recitation of the Qur’an that they would by the recitation of the Qur’an that they would secretly sit outside and listen to the beautiful secretly sit outside and listen to the beautiful tilaawa tilaawa of the Holy Prophet during the night of the Holy Prophet during the night timetime

Easy to memorizeEasy to memorizeد�ك�ر� ل� م�ن م� ه آن ل�لذ�ك�ر� ف ر� ن ا ال�ق� ر� د� ي س� ل ق د�ك�ر�و ل� م�ن م� ه آن ل�لذ�ك�ر� ف ر� ن ا ال�ق� ر� د� ي س� ل ق و

And We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and And We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonitionremember: then is there any that will receive admonition (54: (54:

17/22/32/40)17/22/32/40)

Many Muslims have found the Qur’an much easier Many Muslims have found the Qur’an much easier to memorize than other passages even those who to memorize than other passages even those who are non Arabs. Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall are non Arabs. Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall says:says: It is a fact that the Koran is marvelously easy It is a fact that the Koran is marvelously easy

for believers to commit to memory. Thousands for believers to commit to memory. Thousands of people in the East know the whole Book by of people in the East know the whole Book by heart. The translator, who finds great difficulty heart. The translator, who finds great difficulty in remembering well-known English quotations in remembering well-known English quotations accurately, can remember page after page of accurately, can remember page after page of the Koran in Arabic with perfect accuracy the Koran in Arabic with perfect accuracy

Encourages Muslims to learn ArabicEncourages Muslims to learn Arabic

The learning of a new language has many The learning of a new language has many advantages i.e. understanding a foreign advantages i.e. understanding a foreign cultureculture

Because of the Qur’an, ahaadith and many Because of the Qur’an, ahaadith and many other books and scholars whose resources other books and scholars whose resources are only available in Arabic, Arabic is the are only available in Arabic, Arabic is the most important language for Muslimsmost important language for Muslims

Due to this many Muslims are encouraged Due to this many Muslims are encouraged to learn Arabic, as learning this helps to learn Arabic, as learning this helps them in their understandings of Islamthem in their understandings of Islam

Unity of Muslims thru Qur’anUnity of Muslims thru Qur’an

There 1.5 Billion Muslims in the world todayThere 1.5 Billion Muslims in the world today All of them irrespective of ethnicity, All of them irrespective of ethnicity,

background, language, profession, believe in background, language, profession, believe in one Qur’an, which is the original Arabic one Qur’an, which is the original Arabic version of the Qur’anversion of the Qur’an

This is unique to Muslims, as even other This is unique to Muslims, as even other Muslim scriptures have variancesMuslim scriptures have variances

Despite huge differences in culture, ethnicity, Despite huge differences in culture, ethnicity, language, distance, education, political stance, language, distance, education, political stance, all Muslims read the same Holy Qur’an all Muslims read the same Holy Qur’an regualryregualry

Qur’anic ayat on Tilawa Qur’anic ayat on Tilawa (ه� و أ ق ام%وا - 35:29 - 35:29 �ت اب الل #ل%ون ك (ذ�ين ي ت �ن( ال (ه� و أ ق ام%وا إ �ت اب الل #ل%ون ك (ذ�ين ي ت �ن( ال إ Hي ة� ن ا و ع ال Kر �ق#ن اه%م# س ز ة و أ نف ق%وا م�م(ا ر �ي ةH الص(ال ن ا و ع ال Kر �ق#ن اه%م# س ز ة و أ نف ق%وا م�م(ا ر الص(ال

%ور ةH ل(ن ت ب �ج ار ج%ون ت %ور ي ر# ةH ل(ن ت ب �ج ار ج%ون ت ي ر# Surely they who recite the Book of Allah Surely they who recite the Book of Allah

and keep up prayer and spend out of what and keep up prayer and spend out of what We have given them secretly and openly, We have given them secretly and openly, hope for a gain which will not perish hope for a gain which will not perish

10:61 When Allah says that He is a 10:61 When Allah says that He is a witness to our actions, one of the action witness to our actions, one of the action mentioned is reciting the Qur’anmentioned is reciting the Qur’an

Tilawa increases faithTilawa increases faith

#ل ت�Xه% و ج �ر الل �ذ ا ذ%ك (ذ�ين إ %ون ال #م%ؤ#م�ن (م ا ال �ن Xه% و ج�ل ت# إ �ر الل �ذ ا ذ%ك (ذ�ين إ %ون ال #م%ؤ#م�ن (م ا ال �ن إHا �يم ان #ه%م# إ اد ت %ه% ز #ه�م# آي ات �ي ت# ع ل ي %ل �ذ ا ت %ه%م# و إ %وب Hا ق%ل �يم ان #ه%م# إ اد ت %ه% ز #ه�م# آي ات �ي ت# ع ل ي %ل �ذ ا ت %ه%م# و إ %وب ق%ل

(ل%ون [ه�م# ي ت و ك ب (ل%ون و ع ل ى ر [ه�م# ي ت و ك ب %ق�يم%ون الص(ال ة و ع ل ى ر (ذ�ين ي %ق�يم%ون الص(ال ة ال (ذ�ين ي ال%نف�ق%ون ق#ن اه%م# ي ز %نف�ق%ون و م�م(ا ر ق#ن اه%م# ي ز و م�م(ا ر

8:28:2 The faithful are those whose hearts tremble The faithful are those whose hearts tremble [with awe] when Allah is mentioned, and when [with awe] when Allah is mentioned, and when His signs are recited to them, they increase His signs are recited to them, they increase their faith, and put their trust in their Lord. their faith, and put their trust in their Lord. 8:38:3 maintain the prayer and spend (benevolently) maintain the prayer and spend (benevolently) out of what We have provided them.out of what We have provided them.

Excellence of the Qur’anExcellence of the Qur’an And know that this Qur'an is an adviser who And know that this Qur'an is an adviser who

never deceives, a leader who never misleads and never deceives, a leader who never misleads and a narrator who never speaks a lie. No one will sit a narrator who never speaks a lie. No one will sit beside this Qur'an but that when he/she rises, beside this Qur'an but that when he/she rises, achieves one increase and one decrease - achieves one increase and one decrease - increase in his guidance or decrease in his increase in his guidance or decrease in his (spiritual) blindness. You should also know that (spiritual) blindness. You should also know that no one will need anything after (guidance from) no one will need anything after (guidance from) the Qur'an and no one will be free from want the Qur'an and no one will be free from want before (guidance from) the Qur'an. Therefore, before (guidance from) the Qur'an. Therefore, seek cure from it for your ailments and seek its seek cure from it for your ailments and seek its assistance in your distresses. It contains a cure assistance in your distresses. It contains a cure for the biggest diseases, namely unbelief, for the biggest diseases, namely unbelief, hypocrisy, revolt and misguidance.hypocrisy, revolt and misguidance.

Benefits of reading the Qur’anBenefits of reading the Qur’an

��ال و ة �ت %م# ب %و#ت ك %ي وا ب (بي (ص) : ن و[ر% �ال و ة� ق ال الن �ت %م# ب %و#ت ك %ي وا ب (بي (ص) : ن و[ر% ق ال الن �ا ك م ا ف ع ل ت Hو#ر% (خ�ذ%و#ه ا ق%ب آن� و ال ت ت ا ك م ا ف ع ل ت� الق%ر# Hو#ر% (خ�ذ%و#ه ا ق%ب آن� و ال ت ت الق%ر#�س gو#ا ف�ي# الكنائ (ص ارى ص ل �س الي ه%و#د% و الن gو#ا ف�ي# الكنائ (ص ارى ص ل الي ه%و#د% و الن#ت إذ ا �ن( الب ي %و#ت ه%م# ف ا %ي %و#ا ب #ع و ع ط�ل �بي #ت إذ ا و ال �ن( الب ي %و#ت ه%م# ف ا %ي %و#ا ب #ع و ع ط�ل �بي و اله% #ر ي %ر خ �ال و ة الق%رآن ك ث #ه� ت %ر ف�ي ه% ك ث #ر ي %ر خ �ال و ة الق%رآن ك ث #ه� ت %ر ف�ي ك ثمآء� ك م ا ع أه#ل ه% وأض اء أله#ل� الس( (س مآء� ك م ا و ات ع أه#ل ه% وأض اء أله#ل� الس( (س و ات#ي ا مآء ألهل� الدgن %ج%و#م% الس( %ض�يء ن #ي ات مآء ألهل� الدgن %ج%و#م% الس( %ض�يء ن ت

Translation of Prophetic HadithTranslation of Prophetic Hadith

Illuminate your homes through the Illuminate your homes through the recitation of the Qur’an and do not turn recitation of the Qur’an and do not turn them into graves, similar to what the them into graves, similar to what the Jews and Christians did. They prayed in Jews and Christians did. They prayed in churches and synagogues and ignored churches and synagogues and ignored their houses. That house in which a lot their houses. That house in which a lot of Qur’of Qur’ân is recited, its good things are ân is recited, its good things are increased and family is enriched. It is increased and family is enriched. It is illuminate for the dwellers of the illuminate for the dwellers of the heavens the way stars illuminate earth heavens the way stars illuminate earth dwellers.dwellers.

Read the Qur’an RegularlyRead the Qur’an Regularly

:(ع) xي��ع ل و%ل% الله� (ص) ف�ي# و ص اي اه% ل س �ع ل�يx (ع): ق ال ر و%ل% الله� (ص) ف�ي# و ص اي اه% ل س ق ال ر

yل[ ح ال% �ال و ة� الق%رآن� ف�ي# ك �ت #ك ب %ل[ ح الyي ا ع ل�يg ع ل ي �ال و ة� الق%رآن� ف�ي# ك �ت #ك ب ي ا ع ل�يg ع ل ي O Ali, I advice you to recite the Qur’ān O Ali, I advice you to recite the Qur’ān

in all conditions/state/circumstancesin all conditions/state/circumstances The Messenger (s): surely this heart The Messenger (s): surely this heart

gathers rust the way iron does. He was gathers rust the way iron does. He was asked what can we do to remove the asked what can we do to remove the dust. He said: dust. He said: الو ة% الق%رآن� �الو ة% الق%رآنت recite the recite the – – تQur’Qur’ânân

Ayat on benefits of readingAyat on benefits of reading

ن ك# #ن ا ب ي #ق%رآن ج ع ل ت ال# أ �ذ ا ق ر #ن ك و إ #ن ا ب ي #ق%رآن ج ع ل ت ال# أ �ذ ا ق ر و إ

�ة �اآلخ�ر %ون ب %ؤ#م�ن (ذ�ين ال ي #ن ال ة� و ب ي �اآلخ�ر %ون ب %ؤ#م�ن (ذ�ين ال ي #ن ال و ب يا Hور% ت Hا م(س# اب اح�ج Hور% ت Hا م(س# اب ح�ج

17:4517:45 When thou dost recite the Qur'an, When thou dost recite the Qur'an, We put, between thee and those who We put, between thee and those who believe not in the Hereafter, a veil believe not in the Hereafter, a veil invisibleinvisible

Can you comment on this verse?Can you comment on this verse?

Hadith on Benefits of recitingHadith on Benefits of reciting

Look at the marvels of the CreatorLook at the marvels of the Creator: The : The Qur’an is the trust/pledge (Qur’an is the trust/pledge (‘ahad‘ahad) of Allah to ) of Allah to His creation; therefore it necessary for a His creation; therefore it necessary for a Muslim to look at His trust and recite (at Muslim to look at His trust and recite (at least) 50 verses (āyāt) everyday. (least) 50 verses (āyāt) everyday. (Usūl ul KāfīUsūl ul Kāfī v. 2, p. 609)v. 2, p. 609)

Imam as-Sādiq (a): Reciting the Qur’an by Imam as-Sādiq (a): Reciting the Qur’an by referring to the pages (of the Holy Book) referring to the pages (of the Holy Book) lightens the punishment of one’s parents, if lightens the punishment of one’s parents, if they were disbelievers. ( they were disbelievers. ( Usūlul KāfīUsūlul Kāfī, v.2, p. , v.2, p. 613 quoted in 613 quoted in Noble Qur’an 40 AhadithNoble Qur’an 40 Ahadith H. 3) H. 3)