Magnificence of the Noble Qur’an 2
Magnificence of the Noble Qur’an 2
Magnificence of the Noble Qur’an 2
It Guides to What is Most Righteous
Allah Almighty says: {Surely this Qur’an guides to what is most upright...}[Surat al-Isrā’: 9]All of humanity was in confusion (in the pre-Islamic times of Ignorance), with muddled and confused beliefs, religious practices, and morals. They were proceeding without a straight path or a correct methodology to guide and rectify their lives. They were not able, with their limited minds and deviant desires, to attain inner peace and happiness. Therefore, it is from Allah’s infinite grace and compassionate concern for mankind that He sent down to them the best of His Scriptures, the Noble Qur’an, to guide them in all aspects of life towards happiness, virtue, peace, security, stability, and prosperity, and to protect them from the evil pathways of immorality and deviancy which only lead them to misery, hardship, and suffering. Allah Almighty says: {O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light. As for those who believe in Allah and hold fast to Him, He will admit them into His mercy and grace, and guide them to Himself through a straight path.}[Surat an-Nisā’: 174-175]Allah also says:{There has come to you from Allah a light and an evident Book ,through which Allah guides those who seek His pleasure to the ways of peace, and brings them out of the depths of darkness to the light by His Will, and guides them to a straight path.}[Surat al-Mā’idah: 15-16]Whoever desires guidance in his life should ask himself: where is he in respect to the guidance of the Qur’an? He should not waste his time and effort in what does not fulfill his goals; rather he should read and contemplate the Qur’an and learn its guidance to find the truth and the correct direction, as the Jinn said when they listened to the Qur’an, as Allah described:{And [remember] when We sent to you a group of jinn to listen to the Qur’an. When they heard it, they said [to one another], “Listen attentively.” Then when it was over, they returned to their people as warners. They said, “O our people, we have heard a scripture that has been sent down after Moses, confirming what came before it; it guides to the truth and to a straight path. OH our people, respond to the one who is calling to Allah, and believe in him; He will forgive you some of your sins and protect you from a painful punishment.}[Surat al-Ahqāf: 29-31]Allah Almighty also says:{Say, “It has been revealed to me that a group of jinn listened [to the Qur’an,] and they said, ‘Indeed, we have heard a wondrous recitation that guides to the right way, so we have believed in it, and we will never associate anyone with our Lord.}[Surat al-Jinn: 1-2]The guidance of the Qur’an is complete and perfect without any deviancy. The disaster nowadays is that some Muslims seek guidance from other than the Qur’an, even though Allah has brought them the Qur’an to guide all humanity to that which is best in all ways of life. Whoever seeks guidance from other than the Qur’an will go astray into the worst forms of misguidance.
{Surely this Qur’an guides to what is most upright...}
[Surat al-Isrā’: 9]
All of humanity was in confusion (in the pre-Islamic times of Ignorance), with muddled and confused beliefs, religious practices, and morals. They were proceeding without a straight path or a correct methodology to guide and rectify their lives. They were not able, with their limited minds and deviant desires, to attain inner peace and happiness. Therefore, it is from Allah’s infinite grace and compassionate concern for mankind that He sent down to them the best of His Scriptures, the Noble Qur’an, to guide them in all aspects of life towards happiness, virtue, peace, security, stability, and prosperity, and to protect them from the evil pathways of immorality and deviancy which only lead them to misery, hardship, and suffering. Allah Almighty says:
{O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light.
As for those who believe in Allah and hold fast to Him, He will admit them into His mercy and grace, and guide them to Himself through a straight path.}
[Surat an-Nisā’: 174-175]
Allah also says:
{There has come to you from Allah a light and an evident Book.
through which Allah guides those who seek His pleasure to the ways of peace, and brings them out of the depths of darkness to the light by His Will, and guides them to a straight path.}
[Surat al-Mā’idah: 15-16]
Whoever desires guidance in his life should ask himself: where is he in respect to the guidance of the Qur’an?
He should not waste his time and effort in what does not fulfill his goals; rather he should read and contemplate the Qur’an and learn its guidance to find the truth and the correct direction, as the Jinn said when they listened to the Qur’an, as Allah described:
{And [remember] when We sent to you a group of jinn to listen to the Qur’an. When they heard it, they said [to one another], “Listen attentively.” Then when it was over, they returned to their people as warners.
They said, “O our people, we have heard a scripture that has been sent down after Moses, confirming what came before it; it guides to the truth and to a straight path.
O our people, respond to the one who is calling to Allah, and believe in him; He will forgive you some of your sins and protect you from a painful punishment.}
[Surat al-Ahqāf: 29-31]
Allah Almighty also says:
{Say, “It has been revealed to me that a group of jinn listened [to the Qur’an,] and they said, ‘Indeed, we have heard a wondrous recitation
that guides to the right way, so we have believed in it, and we will never associate anyone with our Lord.}
[Surat al-Jinn: 1-2]
The guidance of the Qur’an is complete and perfect without any deviancy. The disaster nowadays is that some Muslims seek guidance from other than the Qur’an, even though Allah has brought them the Qur’an to guide all humanity to that which is best in all ways of life. Whoever seeks guidance from other than the Qur’an will go astray into the worst forms of misguidance.
He will not go astray nor be miserable
Allah Almighty says:{And whoever follows My guidance will not go astray or be miserable.}[Surat Ta Ha: 123]The merits of the Noble Qur’an are too many to be enumerated in full. It is a great divine grace and favor. Out of Allah’s infinite benevolence, He promised many blessings and rewards for those who actively follow its guidance. Among those blessings is the guidance and bliss achieved through the Qur’an and the misguidance and misery it wards off. Allah Almighty says:{And whoever follows My guidance will not go astray or be miserable.}Misguidance and misery go hand in hand, just as their opposites of correct guidance and happiness go hand in hand. The fruit of following guidance is happiness. At-Tabari narrated in his Qur’an exegesis (Tafsīr) that Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) said: “Whoever reads the Qur’an and follows what is therein will be guided by Allah away from misguidance and saved from the evil accounting on the Day of Reckoning .”Also among the blessings of following it is that it brings safety and joy, which are established in the statement that its follower is safe from fear and grief. Allah Almighty says:{... whoever follows My guidance, there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.}[Surat al-Baqarah: 38]Allah Almighty also promised those who follow it a life of abundant provision. Allah Almighty says:{If they had upheld the Torah and the Gospel, and what has been sent down to them from their Lord, they would have been given abundant provisions from above them and from below their feet.}[Surat al-Mā’idah: 66]All of the above constitutes strong motivation to follow the Noble Qur’an, with which Allah wards off every evil from the Muslim and facilitates for him every good thing . Those who refuse to follow it and deny it, reject it, and disbelieve in it, will attain the opposite of those good things promised to its followers. Allah Almighty says:{But whoever turns away from My Reminder will have a miserable life, and on the Day of Resurrection We will raise him blind.”}[Surat Ta Ha: 124]This depression is a general distress that they experience in their lives and it ruins life for them no matter what luxuries they are surrounded with. You find them constantly coveting and craving more and feeling panic and anxiety that they would lose what they have or would die and depart this world. This is in addition to what sins and evildoings bring into their heart humiliation, grief, and endless pains. Their life is spent in amassing transient worldly gains, without savoring the pleasure of giving out, which is the real source of joy and happiness in the life of this world. They suffer the distresses of this world that cannot be alleviated except by having faith in Allah, the Lord and Sustainer, and having faith in what is with Allah of immense rewards in the Hereafter. Since their life is as such, Allah Almighty commanded us to turn away from them:{So turn away from whoever turns his back on Our message and desires not except the worldly life.}[Surat an-Najm: 29]No one becomes miserable when they take the Qur’an as companion, because there is no obligation ordained in it that is too hard for them to fulfill. Rather, it is a facilitated legislation that is totally free of hardship and inconvenience, legislated by the Most Merciful in the life of this world and the Hereafter. Allah Almighty says:{And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there anyone who will take heed?}[Surat al-Qamar: 17]Allah also says:{He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty}[Surat al-Hajj: 78]Rather, the Qur’an came to remove the oppressive hardship that was imposed on those before us:{ ... and to remove their burdens and the chains that were upon them... }[Surat al-A‘rāf: 157]Everything legislated in the Qur’an is easy and in accordance with the natural human disposition. All the commands of Allah therein have complete or predominant benefit, and all of His prohibitions protect from complete or predominant harm. There is not a single ordinance in the Qur’an that is beyond human capability or that incurs hardship and suffering. Allah Almighty says:{We have not sent down the Qur’an to you [O Prophet] to cause you distress}[Surat Ta Ha: 2]At-Tabari narrated in his Qur’an exegesis (Tafsīr) that Qatādah said: “No, by Allah, He did not make it a source of distress, but He made it a mercy and light, and a guide to Paradise. ”How can an intelligent person distance himself from the source of happiness and bliss for himself and his community?
{And whoever follows My guidance will not go astray or be miserable.}
[Surat Ta Ha: 123]
The merits of the Noble Qur’an are too many to be enumerated in full. It is a great divine grace and favor. Out of Allah’s infinite benevolence, He promised many blessings and rewards for those who actively follow its guidance. Among those blessings is the guidance and bliss achieved through the Qur’an and the misguidance and misery it wards off. Allah Almighty says:
{And whoever follows My guidance will not go astray or be miserable.}
Misguidance and misery go hand in hand, just as their opposites of correct guidance and happiness go hand in hand. The fruit of following guidance is happiness. At-Tabari narrated in his Qur’an exegesis (Tafsīr) that Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) said:
“Whoever reads the Qur’an and follows what is therein will be guided by Allah away from misguidance and saved from the evil accounting on the Day of Reckoning.”
Also among the blessings of following it is that it brings safety and joy, which are established in the statement that its follower is safe from fear and grief. Allah Almighty says:
{... whoever follows My guidance, there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.}
[Surat al-Baqarah: 38]
Allah Almighty also promised those who follow it a life of abundant provision. Allah Almighty says:
{If they had upheld the Torah and the Gospel, and what has been sent down to them from their Lord, they would have been given abundant provisions from above them and from below their feet.}
[Surat al-Mā’idah: 66]
All of the above constitutes strong motivation to follow the Noble Qur’an, with which Allah wards off every evil from the Muslim and facilitates for him every good thing.
Those who refuse to follow it and deny it, reject it, and disbelieve in it, will attain the opposite of those good things promised to its followers. Allah Almighty says:
{But whoever turns away from My Reminder will have a miserable life, and on the Day of Resurrection We will raise him blind.”}
[Surat Ta Ha: 124]
This depression is a general distress that they experience in their lives and it ruins life for them no matter what luxuries they are surrounded with. You find them constantly coveting and craving more and feeling panic and anxiety that they would lose what they have or would die and depart this world. This is in addition to what sins and evildoings bring into their heart humiliation, grief, and endless pains.
Their life is spent in amassing transient worldly gains, without savoring the pleasure of giving out, which is the real source of joy and happiness in the life of this world. They suffer the distresses of this world that cannot be alleviated except by having faith in Allah, the Lord and Sustainer, and having faith in what is with Allah of immense rewards in the Hereafter. Since their life is as such, Allah Almighty commanded us to turn away from them:
{So turn away from whoever turns his back on Our message and desires not except the worldly life.}
[Surat an-Najm: 29]
No one becomes miserable when they take the Qur’an as companion, because there is no obligation ordained in it that is too hard for them to fulfill. Rather, it is a facilitated legislation that is totally free of hardship and inconvenience, legislated by the Most Merciful in the life of this world and the Hereafter. Allah Almighty says:
{And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for remembrance, so is there anyone who will take heed?}
[Surat al-Qamar: 17]
Allah also says:
{He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty}
[Surat al-Hajj: 78]
Rather, the Qur’an came to remove the oppressive hardship that was imposed on those before us:
{ ... and to remove their burdens and the chains that were upon them... }
[Surat al-A‘rāf: 157]
Everything legislated in the Qur’an is easy and in accordance with the natural human disposition. All the commands of Allah therein have completed or predominant benefit, and all of His prohibitions protect from complete or predominant harm. There is not a single ordinance in the Qur’an that is beyond human capability or that incurs hardship and suffering. Allah Almighty says:
{We have not sent down the Qur’an to you [O Prophet] to cause you distress}
[Surat Ta Ha: 2]
At-Tabari narrated in his Qur’an exegesis (Tafsīr) that Qatādah said:
“No, by Allah, He did not make it a source of distress, but He made it a mercy and light, and a guide to Paradise.”
How can an intelligent person distance himself from the source of happiness and bliss for himself and his community?
Healing and Mercy
Allah Almighty says:
{And We send down of the Qur’an that which is healing and mercy for the believers.}
[Surat al-Isrā’: 82]
Allah Almighty gave many descriptions to the Qur’an that make its merit clear to His servants and encourage them to embrace it. Among these descriptions is that the Qur’an is a healing; a healing for both physical and spiritual ailments. Therefore, scholars classified this healing into into two kinds:
The first: a healing for what is in the chests :Allah Almighty stated this explicitly, because the chest (which houses the heart) is the abode of faith and guidance, and it is what directs the senses and body parts towards action. The righteousness of the heart leads to the righteousness of words and deeds, and vice versa. Allah Almighty says:{O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord, and a healing for what is in the chests, and a guidance and mercy for the believers.}[Surat Yūnus: 57]The Qur’an is the healing for the diseases of the heart: disbelief, idolatry, and hypocrisy, and all corrupt ideological or sectarian beliefs and wicked lusts that prevent a person from accepting the truth and yielding to it. The Qur’an is a healing for doubts and suspicions that hinder from accepting the true knowledge, and is a healing for deviating blindness and false ideologies. The Qur’an is a healing for what hearts harbor of arrogance, rancor, hatred, and envy, all of which create enmity and evil behavior. It is also a healing for whispering of Satan and all kinds of diseases that affect the heart. The second: a healing for the diseases of the body: The scholars derived this merit of the Qur’an from the general indication of the verse as Allah Almighty says: {Say, “It is a guidance and healing for those who believe. As for those who do not believe, there is deafness in their ears and they are blind to [understand] it}[Surat Fussilat: 44]They also cited the authentic Prophetic narrations wherein the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) sought healing for his ailments by the Qur’an.One example is the narration by Al-Bukhāri where ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) told ‘Urwah: “Whenever the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) became ill, he used to recite the Mu‘awwidhāt (the last two [or three] chapters of the Qur’an) and blow his breath over himself and rub his hands over his body. Therefore, when he was afflicted with his final illness in which he died, I started reciting the Mu‘awwidhāt and blow my breath over him as he used to do, and then I rubbed his hand over his body . ”He also approved it when his Companions recited verses from the Qur’an (Surat al-Fātihah) to treat a tribal chief who had received a poisonous sting and fell gravely ill. The man was cured, so the tribesmen gave the Companions a herd of sheep as a reward. When this incident was related to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), he smiled and said to them:“And how do you know that it is a Ruqyah (a recitation that heals)? You were correct. Divide the reward (amongst yourselves) and allocate a share for me.” And how many times have we seen sicknesses and pains which the physicians were unable to treat but were cured by the healing power of the blessed recitation of the Qur’an. But we must know that the precondition for seeking healing in the Qur’an is to have strong belief in it, and to believe in what Allah says about it, and to proceed to use it as a means of healing with certitude and conviction. Can an illness have any effect when it is confronted with the words of the Lord and Sovereign of the heavens and the earth? This is why the verse specifically stated that it is a cure for the believers. As to those who turn away from it, it only increases their loss:{And We send down of the Qur’an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.}[Surat al-Isrā’: 82]Note that Allah Almighty described the Qur’an as healing and not as medicine, so that we believe with certainty in its general healing power, because medicine may heal or may not. Rather, we should know that there is no cure as complete and perfect as the Qur’an for all our physical and spiritual illnesses. Seeking a cure for our social, political, economic, psychological, and all other diseases in other than the Qur’an will only increase our sickness. The fall of the western theories and their successive failure proves this truth about the Qur’an. How can we be heedless of a Book that Allah Almighty described as 'healing'? Then he followed that with describing it as 'mercy', because it denotes perfect care and concern for all that is good. There is no disease or ailment but that the Qur’an clarifies for you what it is, its symptoms, causes, and consequences, and then describes how to cure it in the best and most perfect manner that leads to complete healing in a way not found in any other source.
Allah Almighty stated this explicitly, because the chest (which houses the heart) is the abode of faith and guidance, and it is what directs the senses and body parts towards action. The righteousness of the heart leads to the righteousness of words and deeds, and vice versa. Allah Almighty says:
{O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord, and a healing for what is in the chests, and a guidance and mercy for the believers.}
[Surat Yūnus: 57]
The Qur’an is the healing for the diseases of the heart: disbelief, idolatry, and hypocrisy, and all corrupt ideological or sectarian beliefs and wicked lusts that prevent a person from accepting the truth and yielding to it. The Qur’an is a healing for doubts and suspicions that hinder from accepting the true knowledge, and is a healing for deviating blindness and false ideologies. The Qur’an is a healing for what hearts harbor of arrogance, rancor, hatred, and envy, all of which create enmity and evil behavior. It is also a healing for whispering of Satan and all kinds of diseases that affect the heart.
The second: a healing for the diseases of the body:
The scholars derived this merit of the Qur’an from the general indication of the verse as Allah Almighty says:
{Say, “It is a guidance and healing for those who believe. As for those who do not believe, there is deafness in their ears and they are blind to [understand] it}
[Surat Fussilat: 44]
They also cited the authentic Prophetic narrations wherein the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) sought healing for his ailments by the Qur’an.
One example is the narration by Al-Bukhāri where ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) told ‘Urwah: “Whenever the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) became ill, he used to recite the Mu‘awwidhāt (the last two [or three] chapters of the Qur’an) and blow his breath over himself and rub his hands over his body. Therefore, when he was afflicted with his final illness in which he died, I started reciting the Mu‘awwidhāt and blow my breath over him as he used to do, and then I rubbed his hand over his body.”
He also approved it when his Companions recited verses from the Qur’an (Surat al-Fātihah) to treat a tribal chief who had received a poisonous sting and fell gravely ill. The man was cured, so the tribesmen gave the Companions a herd of sheep as a reward. When this incident was related to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), he smiled and said to them:
“And how do you know that it is a Ruqyah (a recitation that heals)? You were correct. Divide the reward (amongst yourselves) and allocate a share for me.”
And how many times have we seen sicknesses and pains which the physicians were unable to treat but were cured by the healing power of the blessed recitation of the Qur’an. But we must know that the precondition for seeking healing in the Qur’an is to have strong belief in it, and to believe in what Allah says about it, and to proceed to use it as a means of healing with certitude and conviction. Can an illness have any effect when it is confronted with the words of the Lord and Sovereign of the heavens and the earth?
This is why the verse specifically stated that it is a cure for the believers. As to those who turn away from it, it only increases their loss:
{And We send down of the Qur’an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.}
[Surat al-Isrā’: 82]
Note that Allah Almighty described the Qur’an as healing and not as medicine, so that we believe with certainty in its general healing power, because medicine may heal or may not. Rather, we should know that there is no cure as complete and perfect as the Qur’an for all our physical and spiritual illnesses. Seeking a cure for our social, political, economic, psychological, and all other diseases in other than the Qur’an will only increase our sickness. The fall of the western theories and their successive failure proves this truth about the Qur’an. How can we be heedless of a Book that Allah Almighty described as 'healing'?
Then he followed that with describing it as 'mercy', because it denotes perfect care and concern for all that is good. There is no disease or ailment but that the Qur’an clarifies for you what it is, its symptoms, causes, and consequences, and then describes how to cure it in the best and most perfect manner that leads to complete healing in a way not found in any other source.
A Trade that will never fail
Allah Almighty says:{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, hoping for a trade that will never fail.}[Surat Fātir: 29]Actively living with the Qur’an, by listening to it, reciting it, memorizing it, learning and teaching it, and most of all, by acting according to its guidance, is indeed a profitable business and a great gain. Merit and goodness are for those who hope for this trade and work for it. It was narrated by Al-Bukhāri, on the authority of ‘Uthmān (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it. ”In another narration, he said :“Verily, the most meritorious of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it. ”There are many textual proofs that detail the numerous ways of profiting through the Qur’an, including: First: listening to it; it yields mercy, guidance, and increase in faith. Al-Qurtubi mentioned in his Tafsīr (exegesis) that Al-Layth said :“It is said that mercy does not reach anyone faster than it reaches the one who listens to the Qur’an, because Allah Almighty says:{When the Qur’an is recited, listen to it and pay attention, so that you may receive mercy.}[Surat al-A‘rāf: 204]Allah Almighty also says:{... so give glad tiding to My worshipers, those who listen to the speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, and those are the people of understanding.}[Surat az-Zumar: 17-18]Allah Almighty also says:{The true believers are those whose hearts are filled with awe when Allah is mentioned, and their faith increases when His verses are recited to them, and they put their trust only in their Lord}[Surat al-Anfāl: 2]Second: reciting it; it yields a great reward. Allah Almighty says:{Those who recite the Book of Allah, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, hoping for a deal that will suffer no loss,
so that He will reward them in full and give them more out of His bounty. He is All-Forgiving, Most Appreciative.}[Surat Fātir: 29-30]How could it not be a profitable transaction when Allah has decreed that reciting one letter yields ten units of reward?!Imam Muslim narrated on the authority of ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) came out while we were at the Suffah (an area at the back of the Prophet's Mosque in Madīnah) and said: “Which of you would like to go out every morning to But-hān or Al-‘Aqīq and bring therefrom two large she-camels without committing sin or severing the ties of kinship ? ”We said, “O Messenger of Allah, we would love that.” He said: “Does not one of you go out in the morning to the mosque and learn or recite two verses from the Book of Allah Almighty is better for him than two she-camels, and three (verses) are better for him than three (camels), and four (verses) are better for him than four (camels), and from their number in camels.” Third: studying it with others; tranquility and mercy descend upon those studying it. Imam Muslim narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:“... and whoever follows a path to seek knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. No people gather together in one of the houses of Allah (mosques), reciting the Book of Allah, and studying it among themselves except that tranquility descends upon them, mercy envelops them, the angels surround them, and Allah mentions them amongst those who are with Him. Whoever is slowed down by his deeds will not be hastened forward by his lineage. “Fourth: the person skilled with the Qur’an; he is with the noble righteous scribes of the angels, whether he is skilled in reciting it or in memorizing it. Imam Muslim narrated that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The one who reads the Qur’an skillfully will be in the company of the noble righteous scribes of the angels, and the one who reads the Qur’an but stutters and finds it difficult receives a double reward. “The one skilled in memorizing it is mentioned in a narration by Imam Al-Bukhāri wherein the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The person who recites the Qur’an while he knows it by heart is with the noble righteous scribes of the angels. And the person who recites it while trying to memorize it and he finds it difficult will have a double reward. “Fifth: acting upon it; acting according to the Qur’an is the reason for success in the life of this world and in the Hereafter. Allah Almighty says:{So those who believe in him, they honor and support him, and follow the light which is sent down with him – it is they who will be successful.”}[Surat al-A‘rāf: 157]Imam Muslim narrated that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “On the Day of Resurrection, the Qur’an and those who acted according to it will be brought with Surat al-Baqarah and Surat ĀI ‘Imran preceding them.”
{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, hoping for a trade that will never fail.}
[Surat Fātir: 29]
Actively living with the Qur’an, by listening to it, reciting it, memorizing it, learning and teaching it, and most of all, by acting according to its guidance, is indeed a profitable business and a great gain. Merit and goodness are for those who hope for this trade and work for it. It was narrated by Al-Bukhāri, on the authority of ‘Uthmān (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.”
In another narration, he said:
“Verily, the most meritorious of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.”
There are many textual proofs that detail the numerous ways of profiting through the Qur’an, including:
First: listening to it; it yields mercy, guidance, and increase in faith. Al-Qurtubi mentioned in his Tafsīr (exegesis) that Al-Layth said:
“It is said that mercy does not reach anyone faster than it reaches the one who listens to the Qur’an, because Allah Almighty says:
{When the Qur’an is recited, listen to it and pay attention, so that you may receive mercy.}
[Surat al-A‘rāf: 204]
Allah Almighty also says:
{... so give glad tiding to My worshipers,
those who listen to the speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, and those are the people of understanding.}
[Surat az-Zumar: 17-18]
Allah Almighty also says:
{The true believers are those whose hearts are filled with awe when Allah is mentioned, and their faith increases when His verses are recited to them, and they put their trust only in their Lord}
[Surat al-Anfāl: 2]
Second: reciting it; it yields a great reward. Allah Almighty says:
{Those who recite the Book of Allah, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, hoping for a deal that will suffer no loss,
so that He will reward them in full and give them more out of His bounty. He is All-Forgiving, Most Appreciative.}
[Surat Fātir: 29-30]
How could it not be a profitable transaction when Allah has decreed that reciting one letter yields ten units of reward?!
Imam Muslim narrated on the authority of ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him) came out while we were at the Suffah (an area at the back of the Prophet's Mosque in Madīnah) and said:
“Which of you would like to go out every morning to But-hān or Al-‘Aqīq and bring therefrom two large she-camels without committing sin or severing the ties of kinship?”
We said, “O Messenger of Allah, we would love that.” He said:
“Does not one of you go out in the morning to the mosque and learn or recite two verses from the Book of Allah Almighty is better for him than two she-camels, and three (verses) are better for him than three (camels), and four (verses) are better for him than four (camels), and from their number in camels.”
Third: studying it with others; tranquility and mercy descend upon those studying it. Imam Muslim narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“... and whoever follows a path to seek knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. No people gather together in one of the houses of Allah (mosques), reciting the Book of Allah, and studying it among themselves except that tranquility descends upon them, mercy envelops them, the angels surround them, and Allah mentions them amongst those who are with Him. Whoever is slowed down by his deeds will not be hastened forward by his lineage.”
Fourth: the person skilled with the Qur’an; he is with the noble righteous scribes of the angels, whether he is skilled in reciting it or in memorizing it. Imam Muslim narrated that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The one who reads the Qur’an skillfully will be in the company of the noble righteous scribes of the angels, and the one who reads the Qur’an but stutters and finds it difficult receives a double reward.”
The one skilled in memorizing it is mentioned in a narration by Imam Al-Bukhāri wherein the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The person who recites the Qur’an while he knows it by heart is with the noble righteous scribes of the angels. And the person who recites it while trying to memorize it and he finds it difficult will have a double reward.”
Fifth: acting upon it; acting according to the Qur’an is the reason for success in the life of this world and in the Hereafter. Allah Almighty says:
{So those who believe in him, they honor and support him, and follow the light which is sent down with him – it is they who will be successful.”}
[Surat al-A‘rāf: 157]
Imam Muslim narrated that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“On the Day of Resurrection, the Qur’an and those who acted according to it will be brought with Surat al-Baqarah and Surat ĀI ‘Imrān preceding them.”
A Rope of Rescue for the one who holds on to it
Allah Almighty says: {And hold fast to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided... }[Surat Ᾱl ‘Imrān: 103]
{And hold fast to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided... }
[Surat Ᾱl ‘Imrān: 103]
Every person faces various dangers in life, and therefore he seeks means of rescue for himself and those around him. Allah Almighty commanded us in the Qur’an to hold fast to two means of rescue whereby we would be saved. They are:
First: Holding fast to Allah, as He says: {And hold fast to Allah. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.}[Surat al-Hajj: 78]This is achieved by devoting worship sincerely to Him and relying on Him alone without any partner unto Him. Second: Holding fast to His Book. Allah Almighty says: {O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light. So those who believe in Allah and hold fast to it [the Qur’an] – He will admit them to mercy and bounty from Himself, and guide them to Himself on a straight path.}[Surat an-Nisā’: 174, 175]Imam Muslim narrated that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Behold, for I am leaving among you two weighty things, one of which is the Book of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious. It is the rope of Allah... He who follows it will be upon right guidance and he who abandons it will be in error... ”
{And hold fast to Allah. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.}
[Surat al-Hajj: 78]
This is achieved by devoting worship sincerely to Him and relying on Him alone without any partner unto Him.
Second: Holding fast to His Book. Allah Almighty says:
{O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light.
So those who believe in Allah and hold fast to it [the Qur’an] – He will admit them to mercy and bounty from Himself, and guide them to Himself on a straight path.}
[Surat an-Nisā’: 174, 175]
Imam Muslim narrated that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Behold, for I am leaving among you two weighty things, one of which is the Book of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious. It is the rope of Allah... He who follows it will be upon right guidance and he who abandons it will be in error... ”
Holding fast to the rope of Allah (the Qur’an) protects the holder from misguidance and destruction and all the pathways leading to loss and failure. It sets him on the path of security and guidance. The Qur’an is a protection for those who seek protection in it and a rescue rope for those who follow it, because it is the firm bond that will never break for those who hold on firmly to it. As the Arab poet said:
O my people, the Qur’an is the rope of our salvation,
So hold fast to it lest we drown,
Let our divided groups gather around the Book,
So that we will not fight each other nor be separated,
Let us make it the judge in all our affairs,
And be certain that the promise of Allah will come true.
Holding fast to it is achieved by making it the sole methodology of our life apart from any opinions and desires of men. It is a necessity for our deliverance from misguidance, for attaining happiness in the life of this world, and for our salvation on the Day of Judgment. How can a rational person not hold firm to what his salvation lies within? There is no salvation in other than the Qur’an. It is the Book that commands for us all that is good, prohibits all that is evil, establishes all truth and justice, invalidates all falsehood, guides to all good deeds, and forbids all evil deeds. By this Book, Allah brought the hearts together after He unified by it the beliefs of the Muslim nation and its ideology and perspective on life.
There is no salvation in other than the Qur’an. It is the Book that commands for us all that is good, prohibits all that is evil, establishes all truth and justice, invalidates all falsehood, guides to all good deeds, and forbids all evil deeds. By this Book, Allah brought the hearts together after He unified by it the beliefs of the Muslim nation and its ideology and perspective on life.
It is imperative for the believer to realize that his religion lies entirely in holding fast to Allah and His rope, in terms of knowledge, actions, devotion, and seeking aid, and by doing this diligently and steadfastly until the Day of Resurrection.
A Book wherein you are mentioned
Allah Almighty says:{We have certainly sent down to you a Book in which is your mention. Then will you not reason?}[Surat al-Anbiyā’: 10]Among the greatest matters that urge us to believe in the Noble Qur’an and to learn it, teach it, act upon it, and hold fast onto it, are the words of Allah Almighty:{We have certainly sent down to you a Book in which is your mention}Your mention means: your dignity, honor, and power. This verse clarifies that if the nation believed in the Qur’an and followed its guidance, it would rise in status and honor among all the nations of the world. How could this not be when it is the noblest Scripture that Allah has revealed? Allah Almighty says: {Sād. By the Qur’an, full of reminder,}[Sād: 1]Meaning: of great status, nobility, and honor. Its noble status was evident in the nation of the Arabs at the time of its revelation. Contemplate how it transformed it from a nation of hostility and disintegration to a nation of unity, mercy, and honor. That nation eventually reigned the peoples through its knowledge and civilization that emanated from the wise guidance of the Qur’an. Allah Almighty reminds of this when He says:{Remember the favor of Allah upon you when you were enemies, then He reconciled your hearts, making you brethren by His grace. And you were on the brink of a fiery pit and He delivered you from it. This is how Allah makes His verses clear to you, so that you may be guided.}[Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 103] Throughout the history of the Muslim nation, the fruit of adhering to the Qur’an was glory and honor, and the fruit of neglecting it was humiliation, degradation, and weakness. Because heedlessness of the importance of the Qur’an reflects lack of reason and awareness, Allah Almighty concludes the verse that explains this with the question: {Then will you not reason?} in order to highlight the ugliness of their turning away from the Qur’an. Since the Qur’an is a source of honor to one who follows it and acts according to its guidance, for it contains sublime beliefs, noble morals, and the best of deeds that elevate whoever adheres to them, Allah commanded His Messenger and the Muslim nation which follows him, saying: {So adhere to that which is revealed to you. Indeed, you are on a straight path. And indeed, it is a remembrance for you and your people, and you [all] are going to be questioned.}[Surat az-Zukhruf: 43, 44]It is reprehensible that a Muslim who has knowledge does not give due care to this Book that is the source of honor and dignity for him and his nation. Therefore, the Qur’an is the refuge and sanctuary for every Muslim who has knowledge. He exerts himself and spends his most precious possessions to learn it, teach it, advise people to adhere to it, and spread its guidance. These acts are part of acknowledging this blessing and expressing gratitude for it.{... and remember Allah’s Blessing upon you, and what He sent down to you of the Book and Wisdom, exhorting you thereby... }[Surat al-Baqarah: 231]
{We have certainly sent down to you a Book in which is your mention. Then will you not reason?}
[Surat al-Anbiyā’: 10]
Among the greatest matters that urge us to believe in the Noble Qur’an and to learn it, teach it, act upon it, and hold fast onto it, are the words of Allah Almighty:
{We have certainly sent down to you a Book in which is your mention}
Your mention means: your dignity, honor, and power. This verse clarifies that if the nation believed in the Qur’an and followed its guidance, it would rise in status and honor among all the nations of the world. How could this not be when it is the noblest Scripture that Allah has revealed?
Allah Almighty says:
{Sād. By the Qur’an, full of reminder,}
[Sād: 1]
Meaning: of great status, nobility, and honor.
Its noble status was evident in the nation of the Arabs at the time of its revelation. Contemplate how it transformed it from a nation of hostility and disintegration to a nation of unity, mercy, and honor.
That nation eventually reigned the peoples through its knowledge and civilization that emanated from the wise guidance of the Qur’an. Allah Almighty reminds of this when He says:
{Remember the favor of Allah upon you when you were enemies, then He reconciled your hearts, making you brethren by His grace. And you were on the brink of a fiery pit and He delivered you from it. This is how Allah makes His verses clear to you, so that you may be guided.}
[Surat Āl ‘Imrān: 103] Throughout the history of the Muslim nation, the fruit of adhering to the Qur’an was glory and honor, and the fruit of neglecting it was humiliation, degradation, and weakness. Because heedlessness of the importance of the Qur’an reflects lack of reason and awareness, Allah Almighty concludes the verse that explains this with the question: {Then will you not reason?} in order to highlight the ugliness of their turning away from the Qur’an.
Since the Qur’an is a source of honor to one who follows it and acts according to its guidance, for it contains sublime beliefs, noble morals, and the best of deeds that elevate whoever adheres to them, Allah commanded His Messenger and the Muslim nation which follows him, saying:
{So adhere to that which is revealed to you. Indeed, you are on a straight path.
And indeed, it is a remembrance for you and your people, and you [all] are going to be questioned.}
[Surat az-Zukhruf: 43, 44]
It is reprehensible that a Muslim who has knowledge does not give due care to this Book that is the source of honor and dignity for him and his nation.
Therefore, the Qur’an is the refuge and sanctuary for every Muslim who has knowledge. He exerts himself and spends his most precious possessions to learn it, teach it, advise people to adhere to it, and spread its guidance. These acts are part of acknowledging this blessing and expressing gratitude for it.
{... and remember Allah’s Blessing upon you, and what He sent down to you of the Book and Wisdom, exhorting you thereby... }
[Surat al-Baqarah: 231]
The Intercessor Whose Intercession is Accepted
Allah Almighty says:{Then We made to inherit the Book those whom We have chosen from among Our slaves. But among them are some who wrong themselves, some follow a middle course, and some are foremost in good deeds with Allah’s permission. That is the great bountyThey will enter gardens of perpetual residence; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments will be of silk.}[Surat Fātir: 32, 33]There will be great distress and grief on the Day of Resurrection, since everyone will be seeking his own way to safety and salvation. From among the abundant virtues and merits of the Qur’an that will become evident on that momentous Day is that the companions of the Qur’an will be singled out with honor and distinction. It is established by many irrefutable proofs that the Qur’an will be an intercessor and advocate for those who took it as their companion by reciting it, reflecting upon it, and acting according to it; for those that made the Qur’an an important part of their life, even if they did themselves injustice (by sinning) or were moderate (not foremost in doing good). The Qur’an will intercede for them until they are granted entry into Paradise. Imam Muslim narrated that Abu Umāmah al-Bāhili (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite It. Recite the two bright ones, (Surat) al-Baqarah and (Surat) Āl ‘Imrān, for on the Day of Resurrection they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Surat al-Baqarah, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the sorcerers cannot confront it.”Imam Ahmad and others narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: “Fasting and the Qur’an intercede for the slave on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say, ‘O my Lord, I kept him away from his food and his lusts by day, so accept my intercession for him.’ The Qur’an will say, ‘I kept him away from sleep by night, so accept my intercession for him.’ He said: ‘Then their intersession with be accepted.’ “And even a single Surah (chapter) will intercede for the person who consistently reads it, as authentically narrated by Abu Dāwūd, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasā’i, Ibn Mājah, and others, that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Indeed, there is a Surah in the Qur’an of thirty verses that interceded for a man until he was forgiven. It is {Tabārak alladhi biyadih-il-mulk} (i.e. Surat al-Mulk).”It was narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: “The Qur’an is an intercessor whose intercession is accepted, and an opponent whose testimony is trusted. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise, and whoever puts it behind his back, it will drive him to Hell.”
{Then We made to inherit the Book those whom We have chosen from among Our slaves. But among them are some who wrong themselves, some follow a middle course, and some are foremost in good deeds with Allah’s permission. That is the great bounty
They will enter gardens of perpetual residence; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments will be of silk.}
[Surat Fātir: 32, 33]
There will be great distress and grief on the Day of Resurrection, since everyone will be seeking his own way to safety and salvation. From among the abundant virtues and merits of the Qur’an that will become evident on that momentous Day is that the companions of the Qur’an will be singled out with honor and distinction. It is established by many irrefutable proofs that the Qur’an will be an intercessor and advocate for those who took it as their companion by reciting it, reflecting upon it, and acting according to it; for those that made the Qur’an an important part of their life, even if they did themselves injustice (by sinning) or were moderate (not foremost in doing good). The Qur’an will intercede for them until they are granted entry into Paradise.
Imam Muslim narrated that Abu Umāmah al-Bāhili (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say:
“Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite It. Recite the two bright ones, (Surat) al-Baqarah and (Surat) Āl ‘Imrān, for on the Day of Resurrection they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Surat al-Baqarah, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the sorcerers cannot confront it.”
Imam Ahmad and others narrated that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say:
“Fasting and the Qur’an intercede for the slave on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say, ‘O my Lord, I kept him away from his food and his lusts by day, so accept my intercession for him.’ The Qur’an will say, ‘I kept him away from sleep by night, so accept my intercession for him.’ He said: ‘Then their intersession with be accepted.’”
And even a single Surah (chapter) will intercede for the person who consistently reads it, as authentically narrated by Abu Dāwūd, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasā’i, Ibn Mājah, and others, that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Indeed, there is a Surah in the Qur’an of thirty verses that interceded for a man until he was forgiven. It is {Tabārak alladhi biyadih-il-mulk} (i.e. Surat al-Mulk).”
It was narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said:
“The Qur’an is an intercessor whose intercession is accepted, and an opponent whose testimony is trusted. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise, and whoever puts it behind his back, it will drive him to Hell.”
Imam ash-Shātibi said in his famous poem on Qur’anic recitations:
The Book of Allah is the trustiest intercessor,
And the richest recital giving blessings,
It is the best companion whose conversation never wearies,
And his recitation of it increases his beauty,
If this person is wondering within the shades of darkness,
In his grave, He will find it a bright light rejoicing,
There it will congratulate him with a resting place and garden,
And because of it the pinnacle of status will be revealed to him.
Whoever comes to realize this fact of faith, realizes the great virtue of the Qur’an and the honor of taking it as his companion in life. He realizes that his life with the Qur’an is success in this life and in the Hereafter.
Whoever realizes all these merits and virtues of the Qur’an that we have mentioned and others, will come to know that if a person can do without the water that gives him life, he cannot do without the words of Allah that sustain his true life and his salvation in this world and in the Hereafter. He would know that Allah has given him the most abundant wealth and the ultimate sufficiency in life.For this reason, Allah addresses His Messenger saying:{We have surely given you the seven oft-repeated verses and the great Qur’an. Do not look longingly at the pleasures We have given certain classes of them, nor grieve over them, but lower your wing [in humility] to the believers.}[Surat al-Hijr: 87-88]Every blessing, no matter how great, is small and insignificant compared to the Qur’an. In order to realize its merit, it is sufficient to know that the Qur’an is your guide to the happiest states, the greatest honors, and the highest ranks and stations.
For this reason, Allah addresses His Messenger saying:
{We have surely given you the seven oft-repeated verses and the great Qur’an.
Do not look longingly at the pleasures We have given certain classes of them, nor grieve over them, but lower your wing [in humility] to the believers.}
[Surat al-Hijr: 87-88]
Every blessing, no matter how great, is small and insignificant compared to the Qur’an. In order to realize its merit, it is sufficient to know that the Qur’an is your guide to the happiest states, the greatest honors, and the highest ranks and stations.
In conclusion, I say that my people have abandoned this Qur’an.
Allah Almighty says:{The Messenger said, “O my Lord, my people have taken this Qur’an as a thing to be abandoned.”}[Surat al-Furqān: 30]
{The Messenger said, “O my Lord, my people have taken this Qur’an as a thing to be abandoned.”}
[Surat al-Furqān: 30]
After this brief journey of faith and knowledge about the greatness and magnificence of the Qur’an and its beauty, merits, status, and the supreme importance for the believer in particular to live in its shades, we say in the conclusion of this treatise:
The most devastating loss lies in turning away from the words of Allah, the Lord Sovereign and Creator of the universe. Allah Almighty says:{Who does greater wrong than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord, then turns away from them? We will surely take vengeance upon the wicked.}[Surat as-Sajdah: 22]Or in forgetting them. Allah Almighty says about the polytheists:{they forgot the message, for they were a ruined people.”}[Surat al-Furqān: 18]Or in abandoning the Qur’an in any form of abandonment. There is a strict warning against that in the Qur’an. Allah Almighty says:{The Messenger said, “O my Lord, my people have taken this Qur’an as a thing to be abandoned.”}How can a rational person abandon the words of His Lord?!The Qur’an is the soul and light of life, It is a Book that guides to that which is most upright. Its follower can never go astray or become miserable. It is a book that Allah made to be a cure and mercy, and a source of power and honor to this nation. If abandoning the Qur’an was what our beloved Prophet complained to Allah of, then it would be utter failure on our part to fall into that. Let us beware of abandoning it in any form of abandonment. Let us not abandon believing in it, while it is one of the six pillars of faith, as Allah Almighty says:{Do you take this discourse lightly, and instead [of thanking Allah] for the provision you are given, you show ingratitude?}[Surat al-Wāqi‘ah: 81, 82]Let us not abandon listening to it by engaging in listening to singing and idle amusement. Let us not abandon reciting it by not reading it in full at least once a month. Al-Bukhāri narrated that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:“Complete the recitation of the Qur’an in one month…” until he said: “Then, recite it in seven days, and not in less than that. “Let us not abandon contemplating the Qur’an and comprehending it and learning what it contains of guidance in beliefs, morals, practical worship, rulings and laws, and all other contents. Allah Almighty says:{This is a blessed Book that We have sent down to you [O Prophet] so that they may reflect upon its verses, and so that people of understanding may take heed.}[Surat Sād: 29]Let us not abandon adhering to the Qur’an in our actions and complying to its commands and prohibitions. Allah Almighty only revealed it so that we would follow what it contains. Allah Almighty says:{Follow [O mankind] what has been sent down to you from your Lord, and do not follow any guardians besides Him. Little it is that you take heed!} [Surat al-A‘rāf: 3]Let us not abandon referring to the Qur’an for judgment in all aspects of our lives by turning to man-made laws, which is one of the main characteristics of the hypocrites. Allah Almighty says:{Have you not seen [O Prophet] those who claim that they believe in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down before you, yet they seek the judgment of Tāghoot [false judges], even though they were commanded to reject them? Satan wants to lead them far astray.When it is said to them, “Come to what Allah has sent down and to the Messenger,” you will see the hypocrites turn away from you in aversion.}[Surat an-Nisā’: 60, 61]Let us not abandon using the Qur’an as a means of healing the diseases of the hearts and bodies and resorting instead to sorcerers to use their magic and spells as medicine. In brief, any kind of abandonment of the Qur’an is a loss for us, even though some kinds are more severe than others. Because people are distant from the Qur’an nowadays, their hearts have become hard, Satan has gained control over them, and weakness has infested their creed and religiosity. Blessings and mercies are much less, while calamities and afflictions are much more. This treatise is an outcry to one’s beloved, screaming out to them the words of Allah Almighty: {Has the time not yet come for those who believe that their hearts should be humbled at the remembrance of Allah and to the truth that has been revealed? And that they should not be like those who were given the Scripture before, whose hearts grew hard after the passage of long time, and many of them were evildoers.}[Surat al-Hadīd: 16]
{Who does greater wrong than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord, then turns away from them? We will surely take vengeance upon the wicked.}
[Surat as-Sajdah: 22]
Or in forgetting them. Allah Almighty says about the polytheists:
{they forgot the message, for they were a ruined people.”}
[Surat al-Furqān: 18]