Notes on Appreciating and Living by the Quran

Appreciating the Quran

  • We must value the Quran by appreciating Allah's blessings, especially time, security, peace, and opportunities.

The Quran as Guidance

  • Allah sent down the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a guide for all humanity, distinguishing between right and wrong.

  • The Quran serves as a light, illuminating our lives, relieving distress, and bestowing blessings.

Remembering the Prophet

  • We should remember Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in every verse we read, acknowledging his struggle to bring the Quran to us.

  • Without the Prophet and the Quran, we would be lost.

Seeking Goodness

  • We are here to give thanks, emulate the Prophet, and strive to be the best by learning and teaching the Quran.

  • The Prophet (peace be upon him) dedicated his life to learning, receiving, and reciting the Quran until his death.

Continuing the Spirit of Ramadan

  • We should maintain the spirit and blessings of the Quran after Ramadan.

  • Our goal is to elevate our spirit with the Quran, not to be distracted by worldly affairs.

The Quran as a Companion

  • Instead of being consumed by worldly distractions, we should make the Quran our constant companion, day and night.

  • We need the Quran at all times, especially in an age filled with trials, tribulations, and diminished blessings.

Increasing Blessings

  • The Quran is the sole means to increase blessings in our lives, serving as a source of remembrance and divine grace (WahazadzikrunmubaarqunWahaza dzikrun mubaarqun).

The Quran in Times of Tribulation

  • In this era filled with trials, the Quran is our refuge, light, and guidance.

  • We are living in a time where blessings are diminishing, and time seems to pass quickly due to a lack of divine favor.

Seeking Blessings through the Quran

  • To gain blessings, we must prioritize the Quran and not distance ourselves from it.

The Quran as a Healer

  • Allah has made the Quran a healing force, a guide, and a source of mercy, as stated in Surah Yunus.

  • Qadjja′iyyunnasukudza′atkumwa′iqtulumwarobikumwusifauldimaafissuriwahudanwarahmatullahrahmatulliliumihiQadjja'iyyunna sukudza'atkum wa'iqtulum warobikum wusifa uldimaa fissuri wahudan wa rahmatullah rahmatul liliumihi

The Quran as a Reminder

  • The Quran serves as a reminder, prompting us to improve ourselves and avoid repeating mistakes.

The Quran as a Cure for Inner Ills

  • It heals ailments of the heart and soul, offering both inner and outer healing.

  • The Quran offers guidance and mercy for believers.

The Quran as Divine Counsel

  • The Quran is a divine counsel from Allah, addressing diseases of doubt and desire, great and small sins, and various transgressions.

The Quran as a Source of Honor

  • Our honor as Muslims is achieved through adherence to the Quran as a guide and practice, not merely as a recitation or decoration.

  • The Quran is our source of honor, guidance, and strength.

Avoiding Neglect of the Quran

  • Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) lamented that his community would abandon the Quran.

  • We must not be among those who forsake the Quran after experiencing its sweetness, especially after Ramadan.

The Essence of Quranic Study

  • The focus should not only be on correct pronunciation but also on understanding, contemplation, and deriving guidance from the Quran.

  • A wise believer balances recitation, contemplation, understanding, and memorization.

  • We should strive to spend time reading the Quran as remembrance, worship, and a trusted practice.

The Call to Continuous Engagement

  • We, especially those chosen for this gathering, should not abandon the Quran, meeting regularly to reflect and practice its teachings.

  • Success as individuals and as a community lies in staying connected to the Quran.

The Quran as Our Greatest Need

  • Our need for the Quran surpasses our need for food and air, as the Quran nourishes the soul.

Renewal and Commitment

  • We must renew our commitment to Allah, the Prophet, and the Quran by consistently reflecting on its meanings.

  • We should listen to and seek knowledge about the Quran, absorbing and spreading its wisdom.

The Quran as a Guiding Light

  • Those who adhere to the Quran will never go astray in faith, conduct, or ethics, and it brings glad tidings of great rewards for righteous deeds.

  • Following the Quran leads to the straight path in thought, behavior, and life.

Reflection on Quranic Teachings

  • Allah provides examples in the Quran for us to reflect, as mentioned in Surah Al-Hashr.

  • WatikalaabsallaulrairuanaldinasWatikala absallaul rairuan aldinas

The Impact of the Quran

  • If the Quran were to be revealed upon a mountain, it would crumble out of reverence for Allah, highlighting the transformative power of the Quran.

  • We must reflect on the Quran and ensure that our hearts are not hardened.

Reflection and Understanding

  • We must ponder over the Quran and question whether our hearts are locked, as stated in Surah Muhammad, verse 24: "Do they not then reflect on the Quran, or are there locks upon their hearts?"

The Quran as a Blessing with Conditions

  • The blessings of the Quran are conditional upon engaging with it through contemplation as evidenced in Surah Saad (38:29).

  • kitabununanzalannahuilaihiyamubaarqunkitabunun anzalannahu ilaihiya mubaarqun

  • True blessings come from understanding and reflecting on its verses.

The Quran as a Cure for Spiritual Ailments

  • The Quran is a remedy for the heart, providing tranquility and healing, as stated in Surah Al-Isra (17:82).

  • wanunnaziluminalquranمافوشفوراوراحمتالإنهمينwanun nazilumin alquran مافوشفورا وراحمت الإنهمين

  • It is a comprehensive cure for doubts, worries, and life's problems, offering peace and relief that cannot be bought.

The Quran as a Complete Guide

  • The Quran is not just for ruqyah but for the complete healing of inner and outer ailments.

  • It is a perfect cure for all, providing guidance and blessings, as mentioned in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:10).

  • Walaqad′anzalnaillaikumkitabanfiihiDzikrulkumafalata′qiWa laqad'anzalna illaikum kitaban fiihi Dzikrul kum afalata'qi

The Quran as a Source of Strength

  • We must continue to seek its blessings and make it a part of our lives.

The Prophet's Teachings

  • The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us the virtues of reading, learning, and teaching the Quran, ensuring its relevance for generations.

  • He encouraged us to learn and teach the Quran to others, as he did not keep the knowledge to himself but spread it among his companions.

Spreading the Teachings of the Quran

  • We must ensure that everything we learn is written down, memorized, practiced, and shared with others.

  • We should not wait to become scholars to share the teachings of the Quran.

  • It is our duty to convey what we learn, making it a continuous effort.

The Best Among Us

  • The best among us are those who learn and teach the Quran, as mentioned in a hadith narrated by Bukhari.

  • This hadith highlights the supreme value of a believer in the eyes of Allah.

The Quran as Intercessor

  • The Quran will intercede on the Day of Judgment for those who make it their guide, understanding and practicing its teachings.

  • We must always aim for the pleasure of Allah and the intercession of the Prophet and the Quran.

The Rewards of Recitation in the Hereafter

  • On the Day of Judgment, those who were devoted to the Quran will be asked to recite it and ascend in Paradise.

  • Our status in Paradise will depend on the amount of Quran we have memorized and practiced.

The Virtues of Reciting the Quran

  • A believer who reads the Quran is like a fragrant and delicious fruit, while a hypocrite is devoid of both fragrance and taste.

  • Reciting each letter of the Quran brings rewards that Allah multiplies.

The People of the Quran

  • We strive to associate ourselves with the Quran, aiming to be among the people of Allah, which signifies a noble lineage.

  • Allah has His own people among mankind, and these are the people of the Quran.

The Quran as a Reminder

  • We must continuously engage with the Quran, guarding it in our hearts and minds.

  • The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that the Quran can easily slip away if not firmly held.

The Teachings of the Companions

  • The companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) exemplified these teachings in their lives.

The Words of Uthman ibn Affan

  • Uthman ibn Affan said that if our hearts are pure, they will never be satiated with the Quran.

  • He could not bear to let a day pass without looking at the Quran.

The Words of Ali ibn Abi Talib

  • Ali ibn Abi Talib urged us to fear Allah and not let others surpass us in practicing the Quran.

  • Ali ibn Abi Talib’s last words: Allah, Allah! Fear Allah by holding fast to the Quran.

The Words of Abdullah ibn Masud

  • Abdullah ibn Masud said that hearts are like vessels that should be filled with the Quran.

  • He said, "Fill your hearts with the Quran, and do not fill them with anything else."

The Importance of Purity of Heart

  • We should reflect on the importance of constantly renewing our relationship with the Quran, understanding it is not just about recitation but about living by its teachings.

Transformative Power of the Quran: Guidance to Umar Ibn Al-Khattab

  • We can change our hearts by learning from well-known stories in Islam of people whose lives have been impacted by the Quran.

  • The Story of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab embodies this reality.

  • At first, Umar was determined to kill Prophet Muhammed. However, on his way, he found out that his sister was learning the Quran and beat her into submission.

  • However, Umar grew intrigued as he read the words, realizing that the Message was beautiful. This was when his heart softened.

  • This shows that the Quran can soften even the harshest hearts.

The Story of Al-Fudail Ibn Iyad

  • Al-Fudail Ibn Iyad's story demonstrates powerfully how the Quran holds the power to make individuals to repent and seek change.

  • Once a highway robber, Al-Fudail Ibn Iyad would seek fortune by holding up caravans. However, a verse he heard one day shifted him.

  • One night, he read and reflected on verse 16 of Surat Al-Hadid (Alamyaniilladdina′aamanuwata′aqqmilikirhinahiAlam yaniil laddina 'aamanu wa ta'aqqmiliki rhinahi), which stated, “Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of Allah?”

  • This verse filled Al-Fudail with fear. He repented soon after.

The Story of At-Tufail ibn Amr Ad-Dawsy

  • The story of At-Tufail ibn Amr Ad-Dawsy underscores the radiant allure and transformative power of the Quran's message.

  • At-Tufail was warned not to heed to the Prophet Mohammed's words. However, curious to prove his intellectual superiority, At-Tufail listened to the Quran

  • Moved by the beauty of the message, At-Tufail was so moved that they embraced Islam. The compelling story reminds us of the enchanting power within the Quran’s verses.

  • The verses can charm and captivate, and they can inspire individuals to change and connect with Allah’s words.

Continuing the Tradition

  • Let us commit to continuous devotion to the Quran, to live by its teachings. By doing so, we grow steadfast in our faith. May Allah make us adherents to the Quran. May Allah make us the kind of people who read the Quran.