By Shaykh Mazhar Mahmood
Just as Muslims are encouraged to abide by the pristine commands of Allāh Almighty in the Qur’ān, they are also encouraged to recite and understand the book of Allāh to the best of their abilities.
Many a times, we find ourselves in a situation, where we engage with the book of the Almighty sporadically; An on and off basis, or perhaps Friday to Friday or even Ramadān to Ramadān.
Allāh’s Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) was not only commanded to teach the Qur’ān to his Ummah. He had also been emphatically commanded to recite this divine scripture of the Almighty.
“Recite what has been divinely revealed upon you..”(Qur’ān, 29:45)
Shaykh Muḥammad Jamāl Al Dīn Al Qāsmī (may Allāh have mercy on him) whilst explaining the above verse says: “Recite the Qur’ān and obtain the closeness to Allāh by your recitation.” (Maḥāsin Al Ta’wīl)
It is evident from the Prophetic traditions that one should give due diligence to the recitation of the Qur’ān. This encompasses reciting it perpetually, on a daily basis and without leaving an interval of months, years or even days between two recitations.
Allāh’s Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) advised his companion ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr (may Allāh be pleased with him) by saying: “Complete the recitation of the Qur’ān by-monthly.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān: 757)
It could be affirmed from narrations like the above that completing the Qur’ān by-monthly is the recommended and desired practice.
Ibn al Qudāmah (may Allāh be have mercy on him) has stated in Al Mughnī: “It is makrūh (disliked) to procrastinate in completing the Qur’ān by prolonging it over forty days”. (Al Mughnī, 1/459)
Al Qurṭubī (may Allāh have mercy on him) states: “Forty days is the time limit for completing the Qur’ān for those who are weak or extremely occupied.” (Al Tidhkār Fī Afdhal Al Adhkār, 84)
Many Exigists are reported to have said, “The Qur’ān is bound to bring about affluence and a tremendous amount of blessings in the life of it’s reader.”
Nowadays, with all of the profound developments in modern day technology, it has become very convenient to access the many Islamic resources out there.
If per say, one is not able to recite the Qur’ān, or is over occupied, one may also execute this exceptional virtue of completing the Qur’ān by means of listening to online recitations, recordings or even by accessing recitations on mobile applications.
May Allāh Almighty enable us to connect with Him perpetually by means of performing righteous deeds and by holding steadfast to the Qur’ān. Āmīn.
