HAhmed.com

By Dr. Muhammad Hafizullah (my cousin)

Abdul Kareem was not satisfied! “But your lips must move while you recite Quran Shareef,” he said it for the fifth time. He did not approve of reciting Quran Shareef without moving lips. My friend tried to explain to him that as he was concentrating on the translation and explanation, therefore, he did not move the lips. “But as against reading other books, your lips must be seen to move when you are reciting Quran Shareef,” Abdul Kareem insisted. He was eloquent and knew how to get his point across based on ‘evidence’. He believed that when lips move and ears can hear what is being recited then the ‘Barakat’ is shared by all - eyes, tongue, ears and brain.

Hujjatul Islam Imam Ghazali, in his most famous accomplishment ‘Ahiaul Aloom’ narrated ten obvious and ten hidden principles of Tilawat Quran. Ninth rule enunciates that the person should be able to hear his own voice. Whether it should be recited very loud or not is left to a person’s discretion depending on the circumstances. Once upon a time the Holy Prophet PBUH happened to pass by the houses of Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA), who was reciting the Holy Quran in a low tone; when asked why, the answer was that to whom he was addressing all his prayers could hear him in low voice as well. Next the Prophet PBUH passed by Hazrat Omar’s (RA) house and he was reciting Quran very loudly. His explanation was that he wanted to wake up those who were sleeping and this kept the Satan away as well. Hazrat Bilal (RA) was heard reciting the Quran some times loudly and at other times not very loud. His explanation was that depending on the content he some times rendered it loudly and at other times otherwise.

Our Arab friend was most annoyed and he nearly threw the mobile in the bin. Abdullah had unwittingly placed his mobile on top of Quran. He considered this as a serious offence. He equaled this to disgrace of Quran and expressed his disapproval in obvious terms. Putting anything on top of Quran Shareef is considered as a desecrating act and is condemned most expressively. Some one placed the ‘Hassan Hussein’ a collection of prayers on top of Quran lying in the rack.

Again our friend removed it, this time respectfully. Quran Shareef is the holiest book revealed unto human being by the Creator. It deserves the maximum respect and even in physical terms nothing should be placed on top of it. Some of well meaning Muslims who hold Quran in high esteem sometimes overlook these etiquettes.

Khalil was quick to point to a friend that it tantamount to an insult if one engaged in conversation with Quran Shareef lying open in front of him. Quran Shareef demands utmost concentration and it is not an ordinary book which one can read then talk with some one again start reciting and continue holding a chat. It deserves single mindedness even by those who do not understand the meanings and hence the ramifications.

In Haram Shareef, people coming late cross over columns and at times raise their feet higher than Quran Shareef being recited by those sitting in rows. At other times, people unwittingly cross left to right in rows not paying enough attention to Quran Shareef. Many of Arab brethren would elevate Quran Shareef quietly and others would protest vociferously without raising their head. Their respect for Holy Quran did not allow them to tolerate physical gestures, which could be interpreted as insulting or degrading.

During Ramazan, many people recite Quran Shareef in Nawafil while standing and holding the Holy Book in right hand. A person was holding it in hand during ‘Sajda’. Abdul Kareem, went up to the person and very politely explained to him. And the next time, the gentleman was placing Quran Shareef in his arm pit to prevent it from touching the ground. Similarly, people offering Sajda Tilawat while holding Quran Shareef in their hands, were admonished politely. Our Arab hosts did not tolerate Quran Shareef touching the ground though indirectly.

Their love and respect for Quran Shareef is worth emulating. The Haram will start humming with the recitation of Holy Quran before prayers. Every one entering the Haram or Masjad Nabvi, after offering ‘Nawafil-Tahiat Ul Masjid’ would start reciting. Many of them carry a card or a piece of paper with the page and ayat number. As the Holy Mosques store same sort of Quran Shareefs, so the page number suffices and they can resume from where they finished last time. There is no concept of wasting time in the mosque, no time for chatting or discussion. Most of the people plan to come half an hour earlier to mosques, firstly for tilawat Quran Shareef and secondly to find a place in the front row.

The love for Quran Shareef is obvious in their daily lives. Most of the native shop keepers start reciting whenever they have some time free. Most of them will utilise their time while waiting for their turn by reciting Holy Quran. Many of local taxi drivers have their radios tuned to stations broadcasting recitation of Holy Quran. Journeys on buses from Jeddah to Makkah or Makkah to Medina are blessed with recitation of Quran Shareef.

After being there in Makkah and Medina for some time, one realises that most of the people have their lips in perennial motion. They are either reciting Holy Quran or are busy in ‘Zikr and tasbeehat’. Gentle manners, quiet smile and rolling lips are the hallmarks of most Arabs seen in Harmain Shareefain. Sometimes one feels that the walls of Harmain are resonating with Tilawat, reminding one of Hazrat Yaqoob (AS) when all the surrounding would join him in his Azkaar.

Quran Shareef is an integral part of their daily lives. It is neither locked in cupboards not stored high on mantles. They enjoy reciting it day in and day out. Granted they may understand it better. But the efforts put in to strengthen the bond are worth all the praise. Dedication and commitment to Quran Shareef is their first priority.

When it comes to respect, no one reveres Quran as much as they do. The respect of Holy Quran has been nicely ingrained in their upbringing and this comes very natural to them. Our respect and love epitomises in hiding Quran in covers and place it on a high mantle.

Their day starts with Quran and they live their life reciting it. In this article we have restricted ourselves to physical respect and love for Quran Shareef. We do not want to dwell on the reward of ten blessings on every syllable and not word! We are not even discussing the need for pondering and concentrating on the meanings and explanation which unveils the real spirit of Islam.

Source: The Statesman