Lesson 3: The Inward Manners of Qur`anic Recitation
- Much has been written in regards to the adab with the Qur'an. Some works recommended in addition to Imam Ghazali is Imam Nawawwi's: Etiquette of the Qur'an; Riyadh us Saliheen on the virtues of the Quran; Imam Qurtubi's introduction to tafseer. One thing that distinguishes Imam Ghazali's discussion is that he discusses the inward manners of the Qur'an. How one's recitation of the Qur'an is brought to life by having the right inward attitdue and approach towards the book of Allah (SWT).
- In this, he describes ten inward manners:
- 1) To understand the tremendous nature and beauty of the Qur'an. i.e. the speech of Allah as guidance to all creation. It was revealed as a gift to us from Allah (SWT). Consider where you would be without the Qur'an. Allah states, Allah takes out through it (Qur'an) people from darkness into light. It is a guidance for those seeking piety and taqwa. For those seeking to be beloved to Allah. There is an inward attitude that one needs to have. That is to have appreciation for the Qur'an. It entails thankfulness for the the gift of the Qur'an. The question arises: What is thankfulness? It is not just to thank Allah. Thankfulness arises from true appreciation of what a gift is. It is expressed in a certain way. By directing each blessing that one was gifted by in the way most pleasing to the bestower of the gift. Thankfulness entails living it; being transformed by it.
- 2) Realizing the significance of the Qur'an - Imam Ghazali refers to it as the magnification of the speaker. Consider who is addressing you. It is Allah. If you keep struggling and striving, the recitor will be conscious that he is reading the speech of Allah (SWT). He will gain that sense of awe. It would cause you outwardly to uphold the proper manners of the outward.
- 3) To be attentive in the Qur'an - The Prophet (SAW) said: Recite the Qur'an as long as your heart reverent. Be attentive. The Prophet (SAW): Listen to the Qur'an when it is being recited and be attentive. (Paraphrased) Don't miss the point. It is not just any other speech. It's not a burden. It's a proof for you or against you. The Prophet (SAW) said: It's (the Qur'an) a proof for you or against you. (By your actions and your rights over the Qur'an and by your attitude). A key to being attentive is one's recitation should be coupled with reflection.
- 4) Ponder over the verses of the Qur'an - Recite it by observing the Sunnah (pause, tarteel, tajweed etc) This helps with inward reflection. The Prophet (SAW) kept repeating one verse throughout the night in his prayer. "If you punish them they are but your servants, and if you forgive them you are surely the Mighty, the Wise". He was in a state of reflection. Reflection is called tadaabur. Root = the back of something. It means you go beyond the outward appearance of something, and you encompass your understanding of it. Tadabur entails that you consider its implications, what it means to you etc.
- 5) Seek to understand the meaning of the Qur'an. This has a number of aspects. There are six or seven ways. A) Know the linguistic sense of what you are reciting. Learn arabic or read the translation of what you recited. B) Delve into deeper meanings of the Qur'an by looking up the meaning of verses in tafseer. You should have a reliable tafseer in your home. (Recommended: Maariful Qur'an by Mufti Muhammad Shafi; altafsir.com) This increases one in understanding. C) Reflection: Asking yourself the critical question. What is the implication of these verses in my life and in my standing with Allah? In what I am supposed to be doing or not doing? What does Allah want from me? Where am I going? D) To study Islamic beliefs because the central theme of Qur'an is the oneness of Allah (SWT). Studying aqeedah helps understand what Allah is telling us about himself. Most people miss out on verses in which he describes himself and its implications when Allah says he is powerful or when Allah says he has knowledge of all things. This is why at the basic level you should have an understanding of Islamic beliefs. Studying aqeedah is important so you ground your understanding and practice in a sound and strong appreciation of who your Lord is. When you read the Qur'an, it will increase you in understanding of Allah and His appreciation, His Names and His attributes. "It increases them in belief and...there hearts shake". (Qur'an) (Works of aqeedah by classical scholars). E) Stay far away from personal interpretation. If you don't know ask a reliable scholar. F) If a key concept or virtue is mentioned, one should strive to gain what that means. "A guidance for the people of taqwa". Every time a key term is highlighted, go research what taqwa is, how it is attained, what does it entail? Three important things to ask for anything. Allah says to have sabr. Ask yourself What is sabr? What does it entail? How is it attained? Keep a notebook to look it up or find out later. Similarly with others aspects of Qur'anic narrative, such as when prophets are mentioned such as Sayyidina Ayoob, and you don't know who that is, try to look up his life. (Stories of the Prophet of Ibn Katheer).
- 6) Remove the obstacles or 'veils' to understanding the Qur'an - These are: 1) excessively concerned with outward recitation - You are so excessively focused on how you are reciting, you fail to appreciate what you are reciting.Or if you are listening to a recitation, don't focus on people's recitation that you miss out on what they are reciting. 2) Superimposing one's own understandings on Qur'anic guidance. You superimpose one's own preferences and understanding for Qur'an. i.e. feminist understanding of Qur'an, socialist understanding of qur;an etc because it fits 'your' philosophies. You should take guidance of the Qur'an with an open mind. 3) Sin (inward and outward)- Sin darkens the soul and clouds the mirror of the heart. Polish the heart with Allah's remembrance, repentance, leaving sin. If you keep doing this, you will find that you will be far from sin and door to approaching Qur'an will be open to you. 4) Leaving reflection - Don't abandon reflection and how it relates to you.
- 7) Take the Qur'an as guidance for you, yourself - Act on what's implied by verses that relates to your life. The Prophet (SAW)'s hair turned white. He (SAW) said Hud and her sisters made my hair white. Referring to Surah Hud. In surah hud, the central theme is uprightness. When these were brought up to the Prophet (SAW) was so shaken by that, his hair turned grey. Because he took it as guidance. The sahaba took every word as guidance and it moved them. "Their hearts quake".
- 8) Feel the Qur'an - When the Qur'an talks about hell or paradise, You should fear hell and yearn for paradise. Feel what that means when Allah says He is watchful over you. How does one do that? By observing the outward manners, have the right attitude and upholding inner manners. Feel your neediness to Allah (SWT).
- 9) you should rise in your degrees of recitation of Qur'an - These are levels of excellence in reciting the Qur'an. The first level of excellence is you should be conscious that you are reciting the Qur'an to Allah (SWT). You are standing before him, imploring him and He is listening. What is the inward state of the recitor. They are begging, supplicating and feel the neediness to Allah (SWT). We should never lose this sense of sight. The second degree is the level of spiritual awareness - When you recite the Qur'an it is Allah who is addressing you with His mercy, His guidance and bestowing his gifts upon you. It is the speech of Allah (SWT). Not just mentally but actively aware that when you are reciting the Qur'an , Allah is addressing you with his favor. There is a sense of shame, hayaa, tazeem (magnification), higher sense of seriousness and joy before the speaker (Allah). The highest degree is to put Allah (SWT) first. When one beholds the speaker himself first. One is conscious of Allah and his attributes. Allah comes first, then his address then comes your recitation of that address. Consider the spiritual joy, thankfulness and serenity in this level. The Prophet (SAW) describes in a hadith where Jibreel came to the Prophet (SAW) and asked him about islam, imaan, and ihsaan. The Prophet (SAW) said spiritual excellence is to worship Allah as though you behold him. To submit to Allah as though you behold Allah. To pray as though you behold Allah.To recite as though you behold Allah.
- The best of the companions only memorized a surah or two but they were given the gift of acting upon it. And possibly for our our times, it was said, the last of the community will recite the Qur'an but not act upon it. Umar r.a took ten years to memorize surah Baqarah. So, we have to strive the means to Allah (SWT). As you establish a relationship with the Qur'an, there is a danger that you can become self satisfied. You can start thinking that you are something and this is dangerous.
- 10) Recite the Qur'an by knowing that there is not might, strength or ability except with Allah Allah and not by yourself. Recite it out of neediness to Allah. Don't become caught up in how well you recite the Qur'an. Don't busy yourself with any but Allah. The realization that there is no ability nor power except through Allah is a treasure of the treasures of paradise. La hawla wala quwatta illah Billah. Turn your heart and soul towards Allah even by our own actions.