What is meant by meeting the Noble Quran?

Let us contemplate well the Prophetic Hadeeth that links between the two matters: the value of the Noble Quran and the reward of reciting it.

It was narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘ood, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “This Quran is the Banquet of Allah, The Almighty; learn as much as you can from His Banquet. This Quran is the Rope of Allah, The Almighty, and it is a clear light and useful healing. It is a protection for the one who clings (holds fast) to it and a rescue (salvation) for the one who follows it. It is not crooked and so puts things straight. It does not deviate so as to be blamed. Its wonders do not cease (never stop). It does not wear out with much repetition, so recite it. Allah, The Almighty, will reward you with ten good deeds for every letter of its recitation. I am not saying Alif, Laam, Meem (a combination of letters frequently mentioned in the Quran) is a letter, rather I am saying that Alif is rewarded with ten good deeds, Laam is rewarded with ten good deeds and Meem is rewarded with ten good deeds.” (1).

And because guidance can never be attained except by understanding what is meant by the speech, command was made of contemplating Quran so that the aim of sending it down may be achieved. Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): {[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.} [Quran 38: 29]

And because some may not be able to have Mushaf all times and prayer also requires reciting Quran in it, great virtue was made for memorizing it; some or the whole of it.

Accordingly, there is a complete and perfect system of the means that were prescribed and recommended to achieve the great aim of sending down the Noble Quran. Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): {O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.} [Quran 10: 57]  

Thus, reciting the Noble Quran, learning the rules of reciting it, memorizing its verses, contemplating it, reciting it with good voice and the like help in achieving such great aim.

This means that the people of the Noble Quran are those who best benefit from it and reaching through it the aim for which it was sent down.

This will make us understand well the kind words of Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him: “Ahlul Quran (i.e. the People of the Noble Quran) are those who are  knowledgeable of it and act according to it, even if they have not memorized it (all) by heart. As for the one who memorized it, but he does not understand it, and does not act according to what is in it, then he is not of its people, even if he straightly established its letters (i.e. reciting its letters correctly) as straight as the arrow.” (2).

Moreover, Sheykh Al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: "It is well known for the people of understanding that what is meant of sending down the Noble Quran is to be followed and applied. That is because those who act upon it are those who were made the people of Quran. What is also required of reciting it is contemplating it and understanding its meanings. Therefore, Allah, The Almighty, commanded us to recite the Noble Quran with measured recitation so that its light may manifest from contemplating it and one may be adorned with the effects of faith from the facts of remembering it." (3).

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(1) It was reported by Al-Haakim in Al-Mustadrak (2040) and said, it has Saheeh Isnaad (sound chain of transmission) but they (i.e. Al-Bukhaari and Muslim) did not reported it, At-Tabaraani in Al-Mu‘jam Al-Kabeer (8636), Abdur-Razzaaq in Al-Musanaf (6017) Ibn Abi Shaybah in Al-Musanaf (3008), Ad-Daarimi in Al-Musnad (3315), Abu ‘Ubaydah in Fadhaa'il Al-Qur'aan, p. 50 and Al-Firyaabi in Fadhaail Al-Qur'aan (41).

(2) Zaad Al-Ma‘aad (1/338).

(3) Qaa‘idah fi Fadhaa'il Al-Quran, p. 54.

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