Photo: Collected
The Holy Quran, the word of Almighty Allah, is a beacon of guidance for humankind. Memorising this great book, reciting it correctly, teaching it to others and conducting one’s life according to its precepts are highly blessed and meritorious acts. He who commits the entire Quran to memory becomes known as a ‘Hafezul Quran’.
In Islam, just as the honour and dignity of a hafez of the Quran is lofty, so too are his responsibilities and accountability great. Through hifz, a hafez takes part in the noble service of preserving Allah’s divine revelation.
About the unique dignity of those who establish a close relationship with the Quran, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, ‘Indeed, among people there are some special people of Allah.’ The companions asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Who are they?’ He said, ‘They are the people of the Quran; they are Allah’s special people and those close to Him.’ (Sunan Ibn Majah: 215)
This hadith declares the very high dignity of the hafezes and bearers of the Quran. Therefore, alongside keeping the Quran memorised, a hafez ought to hold its teaching in his heart and reflect it in practical life.
About the reward for hifz and recitation, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) further said, ‘The possessor of the Quran will be told — keep reciting and keep ascending. Recite as you used to recite slowly and steadily in the world. Indeed, your station (the level of paradise) will be at the last verse you recite.’ (Sunan Abu Dawud: 1464; Jami at-Tirmizi: 2914)
To attain this unique dignity in paradise, a hafez’s constant duty is to recite the Quran regularly, to repeat (dawr) the memorised portion, and to order his own life according to the injunctions of the Quran.
Highlighting the excellence of acquiring the teaching of the Quran and spreading it, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, ‘The best among you is the one who himself learns the Quran and teaches it to others.’ (Sahih Bukhari: 5027)
In a mosque, a madrasa or through personal initiative, a hafez can teach the Quran correctly to children, adolescents and ordinary people. Through this he spreads the light of religious education across society and gains the great opportunity of conveying Allah’s word, unaltered, to the next generation.
The reward of recitation is also abundant. It is related in the hadith sharif that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, ‘Whoever reads one letter of the book of Allah, there is one merit for him; and one merit is increased tenfold.’ (Jami at-Tirmizi: 2910)
By putting this great merit to use through regular recitation and repetition, a hafez can on the one hand strengthen and preserve his own hifz, and on the other attain the pleasure of Allah.
To uphold the dignity of a hafez of the Quran properly, it is essential, alongside hifz, to be utterly careful about good character, humility, taqwa and righteous deeds. Despite having the Quran memorised, to disregard its teaching and injunctions is in no way desirable; a hafez’s words, deeds, behaviour and conduct ought to bear the image of the Quran. Almighty Allah says, ‘Indeed, this Quran shows a path that is the most straight and correct.’ (Sura Isra: 9)
Therefore, building a beautiful life according to the great teaching of the Quran ought to be the main aim of every hafez.
The hafezes of the Quran are the light-bearing holders and carriers of religious education in Muslim society. Showing them due honour, creating a supportive environment for Quran education, and cooperating in the work of religious education and hifzkhanas are the faith-bound duty of us all. At the same time, every hafez ought to keep his own spiritual relationship with the Quran unbroken through regular recitation and deeds in accordance with the sunnah. For the true dignity of the Quran is established only when it is reflected not merely in a casket of memory or in rote learning, but in people’s moral character and in the whole conduct of life.
Writer: Asadullah Solayman, teacher and khatib
Sources
Main report: Ajker Patrika
