Living the Qur'an: Ghazali's Manners of Qur`anic Recitation
Lesson 1: Defining and Understanding the Qur’an
- What is the Qur’an? This is helpful to understand in order to appreciate what the Qur’an is.
- Qur’an is defined as the speech of Allah revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through the angel Jibra’eel. This text is inimitable in context, style and teachings. It was sent as guidance to all of creation and is recited by tongues and written in texts. Its order is revealed from Allah (SWT).
- It is preserved by Allah by divine promise. “Verily, We have sent down this Qur’an and verily it is We who shall preserve it.”
- A question arises: How is the Qur’an, which is a revealed text, the speech of Allah?
- The act of revelation might signify some element of contingency. It is recited and written. It has a beginning, middle and end, yet we say that Qur’an is the speech of Allah (SWT)?
- What is divine speech? It is an attribute of Allah (SWT). Allah is eternal and exists beyond time. Time is a creation of Allah (SWT). His attributes exist with him beyond time. Time does not affect Allah (SWT) or his attributes. So, if we say that speech is an attribute of Allah, how can we say that the Qur’an is the speech of Allah? Does this mean that when you have the Quran in your hands, you are holding the speech of Allah itself? If you put that text in your pocket, are you putting the speech of Allah itself in your pocket? No. Then, how is the Qur’an the speech of Allah
- It is textually affirmed in many hadith that the Qur’an is the speech of Allah. Understanding this relates to understanding how meanings are understood from words.
- Example of A is B shows how meanings are interpreted from words. The ways this can be interpreted: 1) Identity 2) Partitive relationship 3) relationship of entailment.
- Returning back now to how the Qur’an is the speech of Allah? The relationship between the example “A is B” and “the Quran is the Speech of Allah Most High) ; this is interpreted as (3) a relationship of entailment (because the Qur`an indicates some of that which is indicated by the Divine Attribute of Speech).
- The example of “A is B” shows that it could be interpreted as: A is completely defined by B (and they are equivalent); or as B is a significant part of (but not equivalent to) A (e.g. Hajj is Arafat” or “repentance is remorse”); or A entails (or indicates) B (e.g. faith as being to greet others and to feed others). The Qur’an is the Speech of Allah because it indicates some of that which is indicated by the Divine Attribute of Speech.
- Revelation is a weighty word.
- Allah out of his mercy sent to us a revealed text that indicates meanings. What are the meanings that it indicates? It indicates some of that which is indicated by the divine attribute of speech and because of that we say Qur’an IS the speech of Allah.
- What is significant about this?
- Reflect on it. Bring to mind the significance of the speech of Allah addressing you while reciting.
- This is the tremendousness of the Quran. When you open the book of Allah, you are entering into the divine presence. When you are reciting, what is significance is the reality of what is taking place. You are being addressed by Allah (SWT). An address of the creator to his creation.
- Your beloved is addressing you, so what is your attitude? You should be attentive, be in awe, observe proper manners, understand the address and so forth. Everything mentioned in this course follows this reality.
- Once you reflect on this and try to make yourself conscious of this, you will understand the tremendousness of the virtues of the Qur’an.
- Imam Busiri said: “The Quran has meanings like the waves of the ocean unceasing.”
- The Quran describes itself in a number of ways.Allah describes Quran as a healing, cure, light, life giving water. Quran is absolute guidance for those mindful.
- The Prophet (SAW) told us about the virtues of the Quran.
- He told us: The best of you are those that learn and teach the Qur’an. This learning and teaching relates to various levels. Recitation and also conveying it to others.
- Also to learn its meaning so one can act upon it. Thus, you seek collective and personal benefit from the Quran.
- The Prophet (SAW) also told us: The people of Qur’an are the people of Allah and the most chosen. This inscription is one of honor.
- Allah says in Surah hujurat: Most honored are those that are pious. How do you become pious? By holding fast to the Qur’an.
- The people of Quran are those that have a true connection with the Quran. Take the Qur’an as the rope of Allah that they hold fast to and take the straight path.
- It is the people who recite Quran day and night and act upon it. They have the proper inward and outward manners with the Quran.
- Some readings on the virtues of the Qur`an:1) Ghazaliʼs Text - Chapter One 2) Qurtubiʼs Introduction3) Nawawiʼs Chapter on the Virtues of the Qur`an from Riyad al-Saliheen
- From among Nawawi’s hadith, a hadith states that the Quran will be an intercessor for a person.
- Some people find it difficult to recite the Qur’an. Regarding such people, there is a beautiful hadith. Aisa r.a. said: The Prophet (SAW) said the one who is proficient in reciting the Quran will be with the righteous highest angels and one who recites and struggles in reciting shall have two fold reward. The reward of recitation and the reward of your struggle.
- There are many hadith in the above texts that expose the virtues and excellence of the Qur’an.
- Recommended links on the excellence of the Qur’an and introduction to the Sciences of the Qur’an: http://bewley.virtualave.net/riyad6.html#qur%27an
- http://bewley.virtualave.net/ulum1.html http://freepdfhosting.com/7d3011da3a.pdf