Reading and memorizing the Book of Allah is one of the greatest acts of devotion to Allah, the Exalted.
It is the miraculous speech of Allah, revealed to His Prophet, our master Muhammad, peace be upon him, as guidance, healing, and mercy for the believers.
The benefits of reciting the Quran are innumerable. How could it not be, when it is the central book of Islam and a guide to all that is good? The benefits range from spiritual and mental to life-related aspects. We will present a few of them in hopes that the reader will benefit and be motivated.
"يَا يَحْيَى خُذِ الْكِتَابَ بِقُوَّةٍ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا"
"O Yahya! take hold of the Book with might": and We gave him Wisdom even as a youth
Surat Mariyam : 12
Which means " Study the words of Allah, Learn diligently, carefully, and earnestly, and Allah, the Exalted, grants His sincere servants understanding, knowledge, diligence, and determination. This comes with embracing goodness and striving in it, especially at a young age.
The Qur'an covers a lot of ground, but there are some central themes that come up throughout the holy words:
This is the core belief in Islam, the absolute oneness of Allah SWT. The Qur'an emphasizes Allah's power, mercy, and compassion.
The Qur'an is the direct word of the creator revealed to Prophet Muhammad PBUH. The Quran tells stories of past prophets and messengers, emphasizing the importance of following God's guidance.
The Qur'an teaches that people will be held accountable for their actions in this life and face a final judgment. There are detailed descriptions of heaven and hell.
The Holy Qur'an provides a framework for moral living, emphasizing concepts like justice, charity, and kindness. It also lays out social codes and legal rulings.
The Qur'an encourages reflection on the natural world, seeing it all as part of God's creation. It emphasizes humankind's role as stewards of the Earth.
The Qur'an recounts stories of prophets like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and of course, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them all). These stories serve as moral lessons, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of these figures who advocated for monotheism and righteous living.
There are numerous chapters (surahs) dedicated to prophets' stories. Surah Al-Baqarah tells the story of Abraham and the building of the Kaaba, while Surah Maryam details the life of Virgin Mary and Jesus.
Impact: By learning about the prophets' challenges and how they remained steadfast in their faith, Muslims are encouraged to follow their examples and persevere in their own lives.
عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «خَيرُكُم من تعلَّمَ القرآنَ وعلَّمَهُ».
Our Prophet PBUH said, "The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it."
The Qur'an lays out some foundational legal principles, but the specific rules of Islamic law (Fiqh) are derived from a combination of the Qur'an, the teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad (Hadith), and scholarly reasoning.
Examples in the Qur'an: The Qur'an establishes core principles like prayer, fasting, charity (Zakat), and pilgrimage (Hajj). It also touches on rules for contracts, inheritance, and criminal justice.
Prophet Muhammad PBUH said, “ When Allah wishes good for anyone, Allah SWT guides him to understand the religion.”
Importance: These principles form the basis of Islamic law, which governs various aspects of Muslim life. However, scholars use the Qur'an and Hadith to develop detailed rulings on specific situations.
Here's an additional point to consider:
The stories of prophets often provide the context for the legal principles mentioned in the Qur'an. For example, the story of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments (though not explicitly mentioned as ten) showcases the importance of following divine law.
The rhythmic beauty of the Quranic Arabic is known to have a calming effect. Focusing on the words and reflecting on their meaning can bring a sense of peace and tranquility.
Stronger Connection with Islam: Engaging with the foundational text of your faith can deepen your understanding and appreciation of Islam.
Even if you're not familiar with Arabic, the process of learning to recite the Quran can improve your pronunciation and vocabulary.
Studies have shown that memorizing Quran can improve memory and concentration.
Al-Hasan Al-Basri, may God have mercy on him, said, "I knew that the path was desolate, and I had no companion, so I memorized the Quran."
The Quran references events and people from earlier civilizations, providing glimpses into the historical and cultural context of Islam.
It's important to remember that these are just some of the reported benefits.
Ultimately, the experience of reading and learning the Quran will be unique to each believer.