Engaging with the Quran is not limited to mere recitation, but it also involves reflecting on its meanings and applying them in daily life. The Quran encourages critical thinking, introspection, and self-improvement. Engaging with the Quran strengthens the relationship between a Muslim and Allah, and it helps to increase faith and spirituality. Moreover, the Quran contains numerous examples of righteous people and their stories, providing valuable lessons and guidance for Muslims to follow. Through engaging with the Quran, Muslims gain a deeper understanding of their religion and its principles. This engagement is not limited to a specific age group, gender, or social class, but rather, it is accessible to everyone who seeks to engage with it. Engagement with the Quran is an essential aspect of Islamic faith and worship. I
Listening, reciting, and memorizing the Quran are all considered acts of worship with spiritual rewards, but the nature and degree of the rewards may differ.
Listening to the Quran being recited is considered a virtuous act that can bring spiritual benefits and blessings.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "When the Quran is recited, then listen attentively to it and remain silent, so that you may receive mercy." (Bukhari)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever listens to a verse of the Quran, it will be a light for him on the Day of Judgment" (Bukhari). Therefore, simply listening to the Quran with intention and focus can bring great rewards and blessings.
The Reward of Listening to Quran:
1. Attaining blessings and mercy: The Quran is a source of blessings and mercy from Allah, and listening to it with attentiveness and reflection can lead to an increase in these blessings.
Allah says in the Quran, "We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers." (Quran 17:82)
2. Earning rewards: Just like reciting the Quran, listening to it also holds great rewards.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever listens to one verse of the Quran, it will be a light for him on the Day of Resurrection." (Tirmidhi)
3. Gaining knowledge and guidance: The Quran is a source of knowledge and guidance, and listening to it can increase one's understanding and awareness of the message it conveys.
Allah says in the Quran, "So give good tidings to My servants who listen to the Quran and follow the best of it. Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, and those are the ones possessed of understanding." (Quran 39:17-18)
4. Finding peace and tranquility: Listening to the Quran can have a calming effect on the mind and heart, and it can provide a sense of peace and tranquility.
Allah says in the Quran, "Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (Quran 13:28)
Listening to the Quran is a virtuous act that holds great rewards in this life and the Hereafter. It is a means of attaining blessings and mercy, earning rewards, gaining knowledge and guidance, and finding peace and tranquility.
Reciting the Quran involves actively reciting the verses of the Quran with proper pronunciation and intonation. It is considered a more active form of worship than simply listening and is said to bring greater rewards.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a ten-fold reward. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter." (Tirmidhi)
Therefore, actively reciting the Quran can bring not only personal spiritual benefits but also benefits to the community by helping to spread knowledge of the Quran.
The Reward of Reciting the Quran can vary based on the intention and sincerity of the person reciting it.
1. Great reward in the Hereafter:
Allah says in the Quran, "Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, [can] expect a profit that will never perish." (Quran 35:29)
2. Increased rank and honor:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Quran will be with the honorable and obedient scribes (angels) and he who recites the Quran and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite it in the best way possible, will have a double reward." (Bukhari)
3. Forgiveness of sins: The Quran has the power to purify and cleanse the heart of a person, and seeking forgiveness while reciting it can lead to the forgiveness of sins.
Allah says in the Quran, "And We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers." (Surah Al-Isra, verse 82)
4. Protection from evil: Reciting the Quran can act as a protection from evil and harm.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever recites ten verses in a night, a protector (angel) from Allah will come down to guard him till morning." (Muslim)
Reciting the Quran is also considered to be a means of seeking nearness to Allah, gaining blessings, and attaining forgiveness.
Memorizing the Quran is considered the highest form of engagement with the Quran and is considered a very noble and praiseworthy act.
According to a hadith, "The one who memorizes the Quran is like a bag filled with musk whose fragrance spreads everywhere" (Bukhari).
Memorizing the Quran requires a great deal of effort and dedication and is considered a lifelong endeavor. The rewards for memorizing the Quran is great, including protection from sins, an elevated rank in Paradise, and intercession for oneself and one's family on the Day of Judgment.
The Reward of Memorizing the Quran:
1. Increased spiritual rewards: The memorization of Quran is considered as an act of worship that brings great spiritual rewards. Allah SWT says in the Quran:
"And We have certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?" (Quran 54:17)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said: "The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Quran will be with the honorable and obedient scribes (angels) and he who recites the Quran and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite it in the best way possible, will have a double reward." [Bukhari and Muslim]
2. Protection from sins: Memorizing the Quran protects a person from committing sins.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) 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." [Muslim]
3. Increased status in Paradise: Memorizing the Quran is considered a noble and praiseworthy act and is believed to lead to an increased status in Paradise.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "It will be said to the companion of the Quran: 'Read and ascend (in ranks), recite and recite beautifully as you used to do when you were in the world, for your rank will be at the last verse that you recite.'" [Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi]
4. A fragrance for the memorizer: The memorizer of the Quran has a special fragrance in Paradise.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The example of a believer who recites the Quran and acts on it, is like an orange (utrujjah) which tastes good and smells good." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
5. Mastery of the Quran: Memorizing the Quran involves committing the entire text to memory, which requires a deep and intimate knowledge of the Quranic text. It allows for a greater understanding and appreciation of the message of the Quran, and a stronger connection with the divine.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The one who is skilled in reciting the Quran is with the noble and obedient scribes (angels), and the one who recites the Quran and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite it in the best way possible, will have a double reward." (Muslim)
6. Preservation of the Quran: By memorizing the Quran, one becomes a guardian of the Quranic text and contributes to its preservation. In the early years of Islam, the Quran was passed down orally, and memorization played a crucial role in preserving the text. Memorization continues to be an important means of preserving the Quran today.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Verily Allah will not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people but He will take it away by the death of the scholars until none of the scholars remains alive. Then the people will take ignorant ones as their leaders, who, when asked to give religious verdicts, will issue them without knowledge, the result being that they will go astray and lead others astray." [Bukhari and Muslim]
The Quran itself is described as "a Book We have sent down and blessed, so follow it and be righteous, so that you may receive mercy" [6:155].
7. Intercession on the Day of Judgment: This is a unique reward that is not necessarily available to those who only listen or recite the Quran.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) 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." [Muslim]
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said: "The people of the Quran are the people of Allah and His special servants." [Tirmidhi]
8. Protection from suffer:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Allah does not punish a heart that contained the Quran." (Al-Tirmidhi and Al-Bayhaqi)
In another translation to the hadith: “Allah does not punish a heart that memorizes and comprehends the Quran." The hadith emphasizes the importance of memorizing and comprehending the Quran, and the reward and protection that comes with it.
Engaging in acts of worship related to the Quran, such as listening, reciting, and memorizing, are all considered virtuous and offer spiritual rewards. Although all forms of engagement with the Quran are commendable, memorizing the Quran is deemed superior due to its enhanced mastery of the text, preservation efforts, and potential for greater spiritual rewards and intercession on the Day of Judgment.
A life spent in engagement with the Quran is a truly blessed one. Through listening, reciting, and memorizing, Muslims are able to gain a deeper understanding of their faith and connect with Allah on a spiritual level. The Quran serves as a guide for all aspects of life, providing guidance and comfort during times of difficulty and challenging Muslims to reflect on their actions and strive towards self-improvement.
The beauty of the Quran lies not only in its words but also in the impact it has on the lives of those who engage with it. It has the power to transform hearts, provide solace during times of hardship, and guide individuals towards a path of righteousness. By dedicating time to engage with the Quran, Muslims are able to attain a sense of peace and tranquility, and ultimately, draw closer to Allah.
In essence, the Quran is a gift from Allah to humanity, and a life spent engaging with it is a life filled with blessings and beauty. It is an honor and a privilege to have access to this divine book, and Muslims should strive to make the most of this opportunity by dedicating themselves to its study and application in their daily lives. May Allah bless us all with the opportunity to engage with the Quran and benefit from its teachings.
