Better to recite or understand the quran
Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:
Assalam aleikum
I wanted to ask you what are the benefits (if there are any) of khatmul Quran in the month of Ramadan, or any other month for that matter. The reason being why I am asking you is that because currently khatmul quran is going on in our jamaat wherein the jamaat has decided to read 10 siparas of the holy quran on every sunday so as to finish the Quran by the end of the month of Ramadan.
Instead of this would`nt it be better if we ahd to have any translations of the
Holy Quran narrated to us by the Janaab, as it is we do not understand whatever
we read in the Quran. So therefore does it maek any sense to read the Holy
Quran in some skyrocketing speed without understanding it
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Answer:
Better to recite or understand the quran
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
Q-1: I wanted to ask you what are the benefits (if there are any) of khatmul Quran in the month of Ramadan, or any other month for that matter.
Reciting the Glorious Quran is considered a good deed in Islam and a deed which will earn a great reward from Allah Subhanah on the Day of Judgement; and especially striving to complete the recitation of the whole Quran in the blessed month of Allah in which it was revealed. It is the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) to recite the full Quran in the month of Ramadan.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 6.519 Narrated by Ibn Abbas
The Prophet (saws) was the most generous person, and he used to become more so (generous) particularly in the month of Ramadan because Gabriel used to meet him every night of the month of Ramadan till it elapsed. The Messenger of Allah (saws) used to recite the Qur'an for him. When Gabriel met him, he used to become (even) more generous than the fast wind in doing good.
Sahih Muslim Hadith 6518 Narrated by AbuHurayrah
The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “He who alleviates the suffering of a brother from the affections of the world, Allah will alleviate his affections from the sufferings of the Day of Resurrection. He who finds relief for one who is hard pressed, Allah will make things easy for him in the Hereafter, and he who conceals (the faults) of a Muslim, Allah would conceal his faults in the world and in the Hereafter. Allah is at the back of a servant so long as the servant is at the back of his brother. He who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allah will make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him and those persons who assemble in one of the houses of Allah (mosques), recite the Book of Allah and learn and teach the Qur'an (among themselves). There will descend upon them tranquillity, mercy will cover them, the Angels will surround them and Allah will mention them in the presence of those near Him.
Q-2: Instead of this would`nt it be better if we ahd to have any translations of the Holy Quran narrated to us by the Janaab, as it is we do not understand whatever we read in the Quran. So therefore does it maek any sense to read the Holy Quran in some skyrocketing speed without understanding it
Although one may earn great reward by the recitation of the Quran, there is absolutely no doubt that it is of paramount importance to read the Quran with understanding, so that one may comprehend the clear teachings of the Glorious Words and Message of Allah Subhanah, and implement the guidance and commands of the Quran in one’s life.
It is absolutely obligatory that every person who claims to be a believer in Allah and the Last Day, must strive to understand the Divine Message of the Holy Quran and implement it in his life.
If one simply recites the Quran a million times but does not understand a word of it; it will earn him his reward, but there will be no effect on his practical life. It would indeed be far far better if one reads and studies the Quran with understanding even only once, so that he may comprehend the wisdom and implement the commands of the All-Mighty in his practical life.
Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 829 Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah
The Messenger of Allah (saws) came to us while we were reciting the Qur'an, and there were among us bedouins and the non-Arabs. He said: “ Recite, all is well. In the near future there will appear people who will straighten it (the Qur'an) as an arrow is straightened. They will recite it quickly and not slowly (or it means that they will get the reward in this world and not in the Hereafter).”
Al-Muwatta Hadith 15.10
Yahya related from Abu Said said that he had heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) say, "A group of people will appear among you whose prayer, fasting and deeds will make you think little of your own prayer, fasting and deeds. They will recite the Qur'an, but it wil not get past their throats; and they will pass through the deen of Islam like an arrow passes through game. You look at the arrowhead, and you see nothing, and you look at the shaft, and you see nothing, and you look at the flights, and you see nothing. And you are in doubt about the notch."
Sahih Muslim Hadith 2335 Narrated by Abu Dharr
Allah's Messenger (saws) said: “Verily there would arise from my Ummah after me a group (of people) who would recite the Qur'an, but it would not go beyond their throats, and they would pass clean through their religion just as the arrow passes through the prey, and they would never come back to it (Islam). They would be the worst among the creation and the creatures.”
Q-2A: So therefore does it maek any sense to read the Holy Quran in some skyrocketing speed without understanding it
It is indeed unfortunate that some scholars and priests today strongly encourage the believers to recite the Quran in numbers, but never encourage the believers to understand the meaning of the Quran! The main reason and wisdom of the Revelation of the Quran is so that mankind may understand and comprehend the clear teachings and guidance of the Divine Message, and strive to live their lives according to its commandments. These scholars and priests always declare the ‘ajr’ and reward which the recitation of the Quran will bring; but fail to encourage the people to understand and comprehend the Quran, which would bring much greater benefits to their lives, in this world and the Hereafter.
Allah says in Chapter 2, Surah Baqarah aayat 185:"Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent down: this Book is a perfect guidance for mankind and consists of CLEAR teachings which show the Right Way and are a Criterion of the Truth and falsehood."
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 43 Surah Zukhruf verses 1-3:Haa Meem. By this lucid (clear or open) Book. We have made it an Arabic Quran, so that you may understand it.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 12 Surah Yusuf verse 1-2:These are the verses of the Book that makes its object perfectly clear. We have sent it down as a Quran in Arabic, so that you may understand it well.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 43 Surah Zukhruf verses 43-44:So, hold fast to the Book that has been revealed to you, you are surely on the Siraat al Mustaqeem. The fact is that this book is a great honor for you and your people, and soon you shall be CALLED TO ACCOUNT for it.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 16 Surah Nahl verse 44:We sent the former Messengers with clear signs and Books, and now We have sent the Admonition to you (O Prophet), so that you should make plain and explain to the people the teachings of the Book, which has been sent for them, and so they should (themselves) ponder over it.
Q-2B: to read the Holy Quran in some skyrocketing speed without understanding it
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 9.618 Narrated by Abu Salama
Abu Huraira said, "The Messenger of Allah (saws) said, 'Whoever does not recite Qur'an in a nice voice is not from us.”
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 277 Narrated by Ziyad ibn Labid
Allah's Messenger (saws) said: “It will happen when knowledge will be no more.” I said: “O Allah's Messenger (saws), how will knowledge vanish despite the fact that we will be reciting the Qur'an and teaching its recitation to our children, and our children will teach its recitation to their children up to the Day of Resurrection?” Thereupon he (saws) said: “Ziyad, may your mother weep over you! I was of the opinion that you were one of those who have greatest understanding of religion in Medina. Do these Jews and Christians not recite the Torah and the Bible but not act according to what is contained in them?
Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2210 Narrated by Abidah al-Mulayki
Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "Do not make the Qur'an a pillow, but recite it as it deserves to be recited during the night and the day. Recite it aloud, chant it, and consider its contents, perhaps you may prosper; but do not seek to obtain reward for it in this world, for it provides rewards."
One should recite the Quran in the best voice, chant its recitation in a slow measured tone, understand the Message of this Glorious Book, consider its contents, ponder over its verses, and implement its clear commands and guidance in one’s lives; only then can one attain real benefit from this Glorious Book of Allah Subhanah.
It is not righteousness to recite the Quran at ‘skyrocketing speed’ without understanding a word of it, just so that one may finish so many Surahs of the Quran in a limited period of time!
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your Brother in Islam,
Burhan
