Is it not obligatory to understand the Qur

1
Is it not obligatory to understand the Quran?

• In the name of Allah, Most Beneficent, Most
  Merciful

2
I. Clarification

• Following are some examples from our daily lives.
  These examples are
• Not intended to offend anyone but to make us
  review our commitment to Quran.
• To review the justification that we have, if
  any, for not giving proper time for understanding
  Quran
• To dismantle the arguments provided to us by
  shaitaan for not studying the Quran. Each of us
  has a shaitaan with him which has almost
  convinced us to neglect the direct
  understanding of Quran.
• The speaker is just one of you

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Importance
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Revealed for pondering-1

• (This is) a Scripture that We have revealed unto
  thee, full of blessing, that they may ponder its
  revelations, and that men of understanding may
  reflect. Al-Quran, 3829

5
Revealed for pondering-2

• Will they then not meditate on the Quran, or are
  there locks on the hearts?
• Al-Quran, 4724

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What is Tadabbur or Pondering?

• One can ponder only after he understands it.
• Example You read newspapers or stories, you
  dont need to look back to understand the
  message. Can you read a book of math's or
  science like that?
• What you do while reading maths or science is
  pondering. You think carefully about it for some
  time to understand it.

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A grave warning!

• And the Messenger (Muhammad, pbuh) will say (on
  the day of Judgment) O my Lord! Lo! mine own
  folk make this Quran of no account Al-Quran,
  2530.

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The Rights Of Quran

• Scholars say that to leave Quran is not to do
  any of these
• Believe in it
• Read it
• Understand it
• Ponder its verses
• Act upon it
• Spread it

THE RIGHTS OF QURAN
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Are we Excused?

• No excuse for the non-Arabs, especially those who
  have learned other languages (other than their
  mother tongue).
• We learnt English and became Masters in it. Why?
  Because it meant benefits of this world.
• We neglected Arabic because no such benefit is
  attached with it!
• How are we going to face Allah if we dont learn
  the language of His Book.

10
Quran is easy to learn

• And We have indeed made the Quran easy for
  Zikr, then is there any that will remember (and
  receive admonition)? Al-Quran, 5417.
• Quran is easy for receiving admonition (not for
  other aspects such as extracting rulings)

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Quran is easy to learn (contd)

• 2 meanings of Zikr Hifz (remembering
  memorizing) and understanding
• As an Ummah, we worked on the first one and saw
  Allahs promise fulfilled in front of our own
  eyes. We have almost millions of huffaz. To see
  greatness of this miracle, try to memorize
  paragraph of a language which you can read but
  not understand (any European language that you
  dont know). Would not find it extremely
  difficult?
• If we work on the 2nd aspect (of understanding),
  we will see the miracles here too. In fact, the
  amount of work required to develop understanding
  of the Quran is much less than that for doing
  Hifz.

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The Prophets (pbuh) eagerness to learn Quran

• And hasten not (O Muhammad) with the Quran ere
  its revelation hath been perfected unto thee, and
  say My Lord! Increase me in knowledge. Al-Quran
  20114

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Greatness of Quran The only non-creation

• Everything around us in this universe is a
  creation of Allah except the Quran. It is the
  attribute of Allah. It contains the words of
  Allah.
• How extremely fortunate we are that the creator
  of this universe, the one who is always existing
  and will always live, has blessed us with a Book
  in His own words containing guidelines for our
  own benefits and WE DONT HAVE TIME TO STUDY IT!

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The best of the Books the worst treatment from us

• If I have 20 books in my shelf, then Quran
  perhaps is the one which receives the worst
  treatment (in terms of the real use of a book,
  i.e., understanding it).
• Allah has sent us the best of the Books and our
  attitude towards it is almost the worst in
  practical terms (even though we do pay a lot of
  lip service).

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Every other book is understood

• For every other book which concerns us (whether
  that of physics, chemistry, commerce, maths,
  etc.), we give a better treatment in terms of
  understanding it.
• For Quran, we just dont bother to understand
  it.

16
I am busy!!!

• Many among us are so busy all day that we dont
  have ANY time to recite or study to understand
  it!
• Busy does not mean that I am dead in those
  moments. It only means that I am doing something
  which I think is more important than Quran.
• Practically speaking, I dont think it to be of
  worth. If it was of any value to me, I would
  surely have spared time for its recitation and
  understanding.

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Time for everything else

• On the contrary, I have time for everything! For
  reading news, meeting, chatting, .
• When it comes to talking with Allah or listening
  to Allah (reciting), I dont have time.
• Well, is it not what you say (I am busy) when you
  dont want to see a relatively worthless person
  or relatively unimportant work?

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Fixed slots for every other activity

• Our lives have daily time slots for everything,
  i.e., for sleeping, eating, reading newspapers,
  etc.
• Do we have a fixed slot for the Quran (in
  addition to the five prayers)?
• If not, it only shows the importance that we
  attach to it.

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Disposable slot at slightest pretext

• Even if such a daily slot or weekly slot exists
  for attending a dars or a study circle of the
  Quran, we drop it at the slightest pretext such
  as, I am tired, I had some friends/relatives
  at my house and I can not come, etc.
• By the way, none of these pretexts are used when
  it comes to our job or other interests (such as
  social gatherings).

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Did I bother to think that

• If I treat the Book of Allah in this light,
  take-it-easy, and neglectful manner, how do I
  except the Author of the Book to treat me?

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Examples to emphasize the Importance of
understanding the Quran
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Ex. 1 The Prophets (pbuh) example Uswah?

• Lo! thy Lord knoweth how thou keepest vigil
  sometimes nearly two thirds of the night, or
  (sometimes) half or a third thereof, as do a
  party of those with thee Al-Quran, 7320.

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Ex. 1

• Was the Prophet, pbuh, not busy during the day,
  doing Dawah all day? Yes.
• Was his understanding not OK? No.
• Was his memorization poor? Not al all.
• Still He was asked to recite it every night for
  hours and hours.
• Because it was the word of Allah. The Prophet
  (pbuh) also needed guidance from this Book.
  (Allah knows best)

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Ex. 1

• The Prophet (pbuh) spent on the average approx. 4
  hours every night.
• And we dont want to give even 10 (24 minutes)
  of what the Prophet (pbuh) gave, THAT TOO during
  the day.
• What level of his Ittibaa (following) do we
  have in our lives? How strong is my connection
  with my Prophet (pbuh)? (I am talking about our
  relationship with Quran and not Tahajjud).

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Ex. 2 The companions

• The companions of the Prophet (pbuh) wanted to
  recite more and more. He (pbuh) had to say that
  one who recites Quran in less than 3 days does
  not understand it (approximate meaning).
• The companions valued it properly.
• Are we eager to recite the Quran and to
  understand it?

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Ex. 3 Your son in 10th grade

• Suppose you have a son who is studying in 10th
  grade.
• You bring everything for him for his comfort and
  enjoyment dresses sports items nice study
  table and chair etc. etc.
• The most important advice you give him is to be
  attentive to his books/studies.

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Ex. 3

• He enjoys all the facilities and does everything
  except studying his books.
• When you come in the evening (and you know that
  he has not opened a single book during the day),
  he starts praising you, O Dad! How nice are you!
  Thank you so much for bringing me everything!
• May be you will tolerate it the first day. But,
  if this behavior continues for the next four or
  five days, your patience will surely run out.
  You may perhaps punish him in response to his
  PRAISE and will tell him that you have done
  everything for him so that he is careful about
  his studies.

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Ex. 3

• Now, let us extend this example to ourselves. We
  are asked by our friends, How are you?
• In response, we say, alhamdulillah, thanks to
  Allah, we are healthy and wealthy, etc. (We
  should surely thank Allah).
• What type of thanks is this? He has given us
  only one Book and we dont have time to read it!
  
• In fact, the condition of general Muslims is that
  they have almost vowed to study everything
  except Quran!!!

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Ex. 4 Only one Book!

• It is a blessing of Allah that he has asked us to
  study only one Book and STILL WE DONT UNDERSTAND
  IT!!!
• School students in any grade, let us say 8th
  grade, have a set of books. When they move on to
  the 9th grade, all their previous books are
  cancelled and they are given a new set to study.
• Allah did not say, for example, You have reached
  25 years of age, so another book for you, 30
  years! another one, AND STILL WE DONT HAVE
  TIME TO STUDY IT!

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Ex. 5 The Same Book as was given to the
Prophet!

• The Prophet (pbuh) was asked to recite the same
  Quran that we have for almost 4 hours every
  night!
• He was asked to recite it again and again.
• Are we not lucky to have the same book for us
  too.
• Dont we always value the practice of great
  people in terms of what they read and how they
  lived?

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Ex. 6 Night of Qadr versus the Book

• Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Power. Ah,
  what will convey unto thee what the Night of
  Power is! The Night of Power is better than a
  thousand months.

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Ex. 6

• The night became extremely valuable because
  something came down in that night!
• Then how great that thing itself is!!!
• If the night in which it was revealed became so
  highly honored, imagine the greatness of the Book
  itself which was revealed in that night.
• Do we really feel the greatness of this Book?

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Ex. 7 The Kings Anniversary

• Suppose, in our country we have a king. On the
  day of his anniversary, he gives us 1000 times
  the regular salary and numerous other gifts. All
  of us will surely appreciate his big heart.
• Suppose that after the anniversary, if he tells
  me, I will come and stay in your house for some
  time, How excited will I be? Will I not do
  everything to please him?

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Ex. 7

• By Allah, the Book (Al-Quran) that I have in my
  house is the same Book, because of which the
  night in which it was revealed became so much
  honored, because of which Ramadaan became the
  best of months,
• Do I spend sleepless nights full of excitement
  because this Book is present in my house! Do I
  ever feel so much happy and overjoyed when I look
  at this Book in my house!!! Do I GET
  UPSET/RESTLESS THE DAY I MISS ITS LESSON, ITS
  RECITATION,

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Ex. 7

• In fact and sadly enough, the situation is
  reverse!!! When some of us are asked to spend
  sometime daily to learn it, they feel the burden
  inside.
• So, in a way, when it comes to commitment, this
  Book is a burden for them, rather than a source
  of happiness.

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Ex. 8 A software manual for a 6 digit salary

• In todays environment of high perks for software
  engineers, if we are told that a new language
  (N !!?) has come and anyone who masters that
  language using a manual of 600 pages will get a
  job worth 10,000, then almost everyone of us
  perhaps will do his best to understand each and
  every line of the manual.

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Ex. 8

• The Book of Allah is ready to give us the
  infinite wealth of this world (most importantly,
  in terms of real peace) and in the hereafter (in
  terms of lasting and forever bliss).
• Do we ever get restless and spend nights studying
  this Book? Do we give it the real value and
  respect?

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Ex. 9 A manual for converting metal to gold

• As a scientist, how precious would we treat a
  manual which can given us a key to new
  discoveries.
• Will we not scan each and every line of such a
  manual?
• But the manual from Allah (Al-Quran) will give
  us success and infinite wealth both in this world
  (the invaluable peace of mind and heart) and in
  the hereafter. Do we care?

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Ex. 10 Education for Aakhirah?

• For a position/ job in this world, we have spent
  thousands of days and nights, from KG to PG,
  Kingergarten to post graduation. (Well, if we
  have the right intention, we will be rewarded
  inshaAllah).
• How long will we work on the position/job? 30
  or 40 years. After that, shall we not go to
  grave and start our eternal journey?

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Ex. 10

• If I have spent thousands of days and nights for
  40 years of service/position/job, then what about
  Al-Quran, with which my infinite future (not 40
  years, not 40,00, not 40,000, not 40 million, not
  40 billion, not 40 trillion, but infinite future)
  including that of this world is related.
• How many hours have I or do I spend or do I plan
  to spend for this Book?

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Ex. 11 Our reverse logic when it comes to Quran

• Allah says in the Quran, (This is) a Scripture
  that We have revealed unto thee, full of
  blessing, that they may ponder its revelations,
  and that men of understanding may reflect
  Al-Quran, 3829. The purpose of revelation
  is that they ponder over its verses. A simple
  and clear statement by Allah!.

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Ex. 11

• Have you ever read a book on any topic (Maths,
  physics, social sciences, commerce, etc.) in
  which the author has asked you to understand its
  contents! Never!
• However, we Muslims have reverse logic when it
  comes to Quran. Even after clear statements by
  Allah subhanahu taala about the purpose of
  revelation, we just take it easy and never bother
  seriously to understand it.
• The tragedy is that no Muslim denies the
  importance of understanding it yet at the same
  time does almost nothing serious to understand it.

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Ex. 12 Common sense applied everywhere except..

• I can read a newspaper in French which has
  similar alphabets as those of English (even
  though I dont understand French).
• If I tell you that I have read it, you will ask
  me about the news. If I respond by saying, Well
  I have read it but I dont know the news, you
  may immediately tell me to stop fooling around
  or joking.

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Ex. 12

• Didnt we find any other Book except Quran to
  fool around or joke? We never bother to
  understand it seriously and on the top of it are
  completely satisfied with our performance. We
  still claim that we can read Quran!!!
• If we dont understand the Quran while reading
  it, then we have not read it in the most common
  sense of the word, read. (I am not talking of
  beginners here).

45
Ex. 13 Ever strict on kids for this Book?

• We are very strict and concerned about the
  secular education of our kids. Well, that is
  good.
• What about the most important book about aakhirah
  education? Did we ever ask our kids to work on
  reciting/understanding Quran?
• If the parents themselves dont
  recite/understand, with what face, can they ask
  their kids to do that!!

46
Ex. 14 Self made concessions

• If your son takes up a new language, say French,
  in his primary school class and comes in the
  beginning of the year with some French sentences,
  you surely will be happy. You may not be upset
  even if he does not understand those sentences.
• However, if this style continues till the end of
  year, you surely will not be happy with his mere
  utterances of French sentences. You will tell
  him explicitly that one year is long enough for
  one to start understanding at least something of
  that language.

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Ex. 14

• Let us look at ourselves. We are reading this
  book for the last couple of decades of our life
  and still expect Allah to keep ignoring our
  carelessness towards understanding this book!
• And even after reminding, we dont bother to
  seriously start understanding it!!!
• How much do we value Allah and His Book? Have we
  ever thought of His opinion about our attitude of
  carelessness towards His Book?

48
Ex. 15 A generous Boss vs. the Author of Quran

• Suppose you were employed by a French company
  with a French boss (suppose you dont know
  French and he does not English) who is paying you
  TWICE what you were earning before.
• If he is interacting with you daily, wont you
  learn his language? Will you still run to his
  secretary for translations?
• Wont you start saying Merci, bon .. from the
  very next day!

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Ex. 15

• The Most Merciful, our Creator, our Rabb has
  given us the Quran for OUR OWN benefit. For how
  many years, will we keep looking at translators
  for meanings?
• Our brain contains 1000s of words of English. Is
  it too difficult to add couple of 1000s of Arabic
  words to understand the book of Allah.
• If we learn 5 words/day, it will take only 2
  years to understand the whole Quran... Only if
  we care!

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Why understand Qur'an?
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Daily Salah not complete without it!!!

• Out of the 24 hours in a normal day, the most
  precious moments for a Muslim is when he stands
  in front of Allah for Salah.
• Before, after, and during the Salah, I do ask
  Allah a long list of things and He out of His
  mercy grants them too.
• But how ungrateful I am that when He tells me
  something through the Imam during the Salah, I
  stand there as a deaf guy!
• How obstinate I am that even with years passing
  by, I dont try to learn Arabic!

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Daily Salah 2

• Nothing happens in this world by chance. It is
  not that Imam remembered some Surah and he
  recited it.
• Whatever I am made to listen in these Salahs is
  written in my fate and is the message by Allah
  for me for TODAY at that time in that Salah.

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Daily Salah 3

• Allah wants us to start everyday under Quranic
  light (with 2 lectures in 2 Rakaahs of Fajr)
• Allah wants us to end the day also in Quranic
  light with 4 lectures 2 in Maghrib and 2 more in
  Isha within 2 hours! Perhaps because man is more
  prone to Satanic temptations in the night (Allah
  knows best).

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Daily Salah 4

• I emphasize these 3 Salah because in these Salah,
  Imam may recite from any part of the Quran (and
  he should try to recite from different parts of
  the Quran).
• Consequently, if I do not understand complete
  Quran, I may miss the message in any of these
  Salahs simply because Imam may recite from any
  part of the Quran.
• I can not read translation in Salah. Most
  importantly, I wont know which part of Quran
  the Imam will recite. So, for all practical
  purposes, relying on translations for this
  purpose does not work.

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Daily Salah 5

• The right attitude in each one of these 3 Salahs
  is that I should stand with full attention and
  wait for instructions from Allah. I should try to
  pick up each and every word of Allah.
• And if I fail to understand, I should ask
  forgiveness from Allah and re-commit myself to
  understanding the Quran.
• Each Salah is a continuous reminder for me to
  understand Quran IN TOTAL and not just a part
  of it.

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Daily Salah 6

• If I dont understand Quran, then everyday I
  loose the message given to me in 6 lectures (two
  each in Fajr, Maghrib, and in Isha).
• That too, at a time when I am in the best of
  worshipping mode to Allah (out of the 24 hours).
  
• Every year, I miss the message given to me in
  2000 Rakahs (plus 240 or 600 rakahs of Taraweeh).
  
• It is equivalent to 5 EQUIVALENT rounds of Quran
  per year (2 rounds in 3 Salahs of the whole year
  1 in Taraweeh Self recitation of at least one
  round per year)

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Daily Salah 7

• It is true for other Salahs TOO. Whether we
  recite it or the Imam recites it, every part
  should be understood.
• It is true of our personal recitation of the
  Quran outside Salah too.
• Allah wants us to concentrate on certain ayahs
  (ponder on small pieces of Quran) in these Salah
  and to have a global view (ponder on bigger
  sections of Quran) in Taraweeh.
• If we dont understand Quran, a tremendous
  opportunity to build the relationship with Allah
  is lost. How tragic and tremendous loss it is!!!

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Daily Salah 8

• If we dont understand Quran, a tremendous
  opportunity to build the relationship with Allah
  is lost. How tragic and tremendous loss it is!!!
• Therefore, understanding Quran is not just
  related to time duration when one recites the
  Quran at certain time of a day. It is, in fact,
  related to every Salah everyday!!!
• Does that not motivate us to work quicker and
  faster (almost daily) on understand Quran?

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Attention in the most important worship

• Maintaining Attention in Salah is a must.
  Without understanding what is being recited (by
  self or by Imam), it is extremely difficult to
  keep attention.
• And attention to what (if you dont understand
  Quran)? Just words? Yes, they are full of
  blessings. But how long will we limit ourselves
  to listening words of Allah (without
  understanding them).

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O my God! ...

• One of my friend said it frankly. When the Imam
  starts Surah Rahman in Fajr, I say, even though
  unwillingly, O my God! I have to now wait for 15
  min. to complete the Salah.
• There are some of us who count the number of
  rakahs completed while praying Taraweeh.
• All this is due to the fact that we dont
  understand what is recited. If we understand it,
  we will never say of feel such things.
• Understanding Quran will make Salah a worship
  full of spiritual enlightenment rather than just
  a ritual.

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Purpose of Taraweeh

• Quran is recited in Taraweeh so that whole
  message of Quran comes to ones mind at least
  once in Ramadan.
• If we don't understand it, then how can we make
  effective use of Taraweeh?
• And more importantly, we will miss all the
  spiritual joy and enlightenment by understanding
  Quran while listening.

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KNOWLEDGE

• As far as Quran is concerned, most of us
  (Muslims by birth) have learnt it because of our
  parents efforts. They arranged a teacher for us
  to learn the Quran.
• Have we got any plans to learn the most basic of
  books by OUR OWN EFFORT. Have we added to what
  we learnt in childhood?
• Do we plan to spend anytime to learn this most
  important Book, the most important source of
  knowledge?

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Rewards for learning

• Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him)
  reported The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He
  who follows a path in quest of knowledge, Allah
  will make the path of Jannah easy to him. The
  angels lower their wings over the seeker of
  knowledge, being pleased with what he does. ...''
  Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi.

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Rewards for learning

• Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him)
  reported The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,
  "The superiority of the learned over the devout
  worshipper is like my superiority over the most
  inferior amongst you (in good deeds).'' He went
  on to say, "Allah, His angels, the dwellers of
  the heaven and the earth, and even the ant in its
  hole and the fish (in water) supplicate in favour
  of those who teach people knowledge.''
  At-Tirmidhi.

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BE LIKE THOSE RECITERS

• Say Believe therein or believe not, lo! those
  who were given knowledge before it, when it is
  read unto them, fall down prostrate on their
  faces, adoring, Saying Glory to our Lord! Verily
  the promise of our Lord must be fulfilled. They
  fall down on their faces, weeping, and it
  increaseth humility in them. Al-Quran
  17107-109
• For more details click on another presentation,
  Be like those reciters.

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BE LIKE

• The is not possible without understanding. There
  are 1000s who have read tarjuma or tafseer.
  Rarely does any one cry when he reads the
  translation?
• But you can see some Arabs who cry (in Taraweeh
  or in Fajr prayers) while listening to the
  Quran, esp. in Haram (Makkah Madina).
• For more details click on another presentation,
  Be like those reciters.

67
Quran is not translatable

• An example of a stanza from an Urdu poem Kaise
  kaise ayse wyse hogayeAyse wyse kaise kaise
  hogayeThe beauty, the choice of words, the
  rhythm, and the message in such compact simple
  words is almost impossible to be translated.
• If this is the case with human composition, can
  Gods composition be translated?

68
Translations are not Quran.

• Qur'an is Words Meanings
• You can not separate the two.
• If you have read the translation only, then you
  have NOT READ Quran (even though the translation
  does contain the message of Quran).
• (Here, I am not talking about rewards of reciting
  Quran. Please dont mix the two).

69
Translations

• All scholars say that Quran can not be
  translated.
• You may have read 100 translations received the
  basic message but they are not Quran.
• You will have read Quran only when you read it
  in own language with meanings.
• (I am not talking of rewards of recitation here)

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Revealed in Arabic so that you understand

• Allah says, Lo! We have revealed it, a Lecture
  in Arabic, that ye may understand Al-Quran
  122.
• For non-Arabs It is not in an alien language of
  which there is no script or no way to decipher or
  learn it.
• It is in Arabic, a live language. Just spend
  some time to learn it and understand the Book of
  Allah, the ultimate precious gift on earth for a
  human being.
• If we can learn English to get degrees / jobs,
  why cant we learn Arabic to understand Allahs
  message DIRECTLY IN ARABIC.

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Only through Arabic Quran

• By presenting the message of Qur'an in our
  language (other than Arabic), we loose the
  impact.
• Its rhythm and "sauti ejaz" looses its effect
  completely.
• It does not carry that influence
• A listener does not go deeper (in its meaning)
  while listening to the translation
• THE SPIRITUAL EFFECTS and the reward.

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Example

• if you say, "Every human will die," it will not
  have as much impact as "Kullu nafsin zaaiqatul
  maut".
• In fact we do the same thing in our language too.
  
• We keep quoting the poetic lines to strengthen
  our message because it has the 'heat' to convey
  the emotions.

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Opportunities for 2 extra Awards for non-Arabs

• He will get a reward for learning the meaning of
  every word, such as Qul, say. An Arab does not
  have this opportunity.
• Another reward by gathering friends and teaching
  them the basic Quranic Arabic.

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Real Learning (like Mathematics)

• If you just read the solved problems and do not
  think yourselves or work on it, you will never
  learn Maths.
• If you dont ponder over the verses of the
  Quran, you may not get its real benefits.

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The Prophets morals

• Once Aisha (pbuh) was asked about the morals of
  the Prophet (pbuh). She replied that, His
  (pbuh) morals were Quran.
• So, the theory is Quran and the practical model
  is the Prophets (pbuh) life.
• Without a complete and continuous study of the
  Quran, even the Prophets life can not be
  properly understood in its true sense.

76
Live guidance for our lives?

• Do we really treat it as the book of our lives?
• Do we become doctors by reading the books just
  once?
• We are passing this life and this book is for
  life, for guidance.
• Before talking about solutions to a specific
  problem, do we ever refer to Quran, or sit down
  and study it a couple of hours? Rarely!

77
Do we want others to teach us the Quran?

• Recently the print media (in the East or in the
  West) and anti-Islamic leaders are quoting
  Quranic verses on Jihad or other issues.
• There are many Muslims who must have read this
  first time in their life. Are we waiting for
  such moments?
• We will be questioned left and right by our
  non-Muslim neighbors/colleagues. Are we
  prepared? What are we going to answer if we
  dont know them?

78
Can we let the East and the West to confuse
Muslims?

• Remember, 80 Muslims are non-Arabs.
• We need an intense campaign to spread the
  understanding of Quran to 100 Muslim
  population.
• Yes! If we plan for 100, we will reach at least
  25, inshaAllah.
• If we dont do that, then Muslim masses will be
  easy targets of anti-Islamic attacks.

79
Most importantly, how will we convince our kids

• The media is continuously attacking Islam. They
  are preparing for the ultimate attack. To remove
  certain verses from the Quran itself.
• Will we wait till then? Even if we close our
  eyes and ears, how will we protect our children
  and youth?
• What will you answer if your kids tell you, Dad,
  you dont understand Quran, so why dont you
  keep quiet!

80
Maintain the heart

• To keep our heart clean which is continuously
  eroded because of sins, we need to recite Quran
  (with understanding) daily.

81
Material vs. Spiritual food

• Just like one's physical existence, everyone of
  us has a spiritual existence too.
• The most important source of spiritual food is
  the Qur'an. The second source is the authentic
  Hadith. Spiritual exercises include the daily
  prayers, Tilawah, Azkar and the work for Islam.
• Reading Quran without understanding is like
  eating extremely tasty foods but with a tongue
  which has no taste buds! You read excellent
  verses, but you simply miss their impact.

82
A blind man touring

• A person reading translation is like a blind who
  is given tour by somebody (translator) of a
  wonderful garden (with respect to the original
  beauty of the Quran and not with respect to the
  essential message).
• However much the translator tries, he can not
  convey the impact of the original Arabic of the
  Quran
• Of course, a learner will not get all that beauty
  in the first try, but he surely will enter into a
  huge new world once he starts understanding
  Arabic and Allah will take him to new heights of
  understanding as his learning continues.

83
Only a KG level course

• It is not for making experts or scholars of
  Qur'an. Anyone who can read attend 40 min for
  just 10 months is eligible for this course and
  can qualify this course.

84
No intellectual involvement

• There is rarely any intellectual involvement of
  Muslims with the Qur'an

85
PRETEXTS

• The quotes in white in the following slides are
  reasons given by some people who avoid / object
  to studying the Quran.
• The text below in yellow is an effort to answer
  such people.

86
What is the need? Just pray/fast/do hajj.

• Why then Allah had to reveal 6600 verses? Are
  they naoozubillah not worthy to ponder upon?
• Why are we asked to listen to it daily and in
  Ramadaan? Are they only ritual?
• If somebody claims that he does not need Quran,
  then he may be deprived from guidance from
  Allahs Book.
• We should always approach Quran with an attitude
  that we are ignorant.

87
What is

• Guidance keeps increasing with Allahs help. If
  we are Muslims, that does not mean that we have
  all the guidance for all the problems of this
  life.
• Dont we ask for guidance in every Salah in our
  daily prayers?
• Allah subhanahu wa taala says
• While as for those who walk aright, He addeth to
  their guidance, and giveth them their protection
  (against evil) Al-Quran 4717.

88
"Why hurry in completing the Qur'an?"

• That is really amazing to hear from a Muslim!
• We have been talking about the importance of
  understanding Qur'an as one of the rights of the
  Qur'an for the last so many years.
• We are already late. How long are we going to
  neglect the Quran?

89
Why hurry

• If I tell my students in Masters degree program
  to stay one or two years more then they simply
  get terribly upset. They say that they have to
  go for a job, use the knowledge to earn money to
  start the life.
• Are we not supposed to live in complete
  light/guidance of the Quran? To ensure the
  continuous guidance, Allah has asked us to
  recite/hear it in every Salah and we simply
  ignore it.

90
Is it a must to understand the whole Quran?

• Why then did Allah ask us to recite from any part
  of the Quran in Salah? One should come up with
  redundant verses/chapters (naoozubillah). Can
  anyone claim to do that?
• Allah knows best and He gave us this Book. To
  say that it is not necessary to understand the
  whole Book is to question His wisdom.
• (I am talking about the basic understanding only.
  Not of mutashaabihaat etc.)

91
Is it a must

• In our daily lives we are faced with tens of
  different situations.
• Quran gives us a number of examples, stories,
  commands, advices.
• We dont know where the solution is hidden for
  our problems. We should keep reciting it with
  understanding and ask Allah to guide us. He
  surely will guide us. After all, did He not
  reveal it as a Book of guidance?
• (We can surely take scholars help. But we
  should do our part too)

92
Just focus on practice

• There are some who say, Just focus on practice.
  Practice what you know and dont worry about
  learning more!!!
• Learning to understand the Quran is not part of
  more. It is the most basic Book that is given
  to us by Allah as guidance. If we neglect the
  basic Book of guidance, where else will we find
  it?
• According to scholars Obtaining extra (nafil)
  knowledge is more rewarding that performing extra
  (nafil) worhsip.

93
Quran is only for Scholars?

• If so, then why are we (the masses, the general
  public) asked to listen to it in our daily
  prayers and in Ramadaan? Is that only a ritual?
  
• There is no Brahmin class in Islam (where the
  books are restricted to them only) nor the rest
  are untouchables, who should not even open the
  holy books.
• Allah has asked each one of us to understand,
  think, and ponder over its verses. Can any one
  show that he (if capable) is excluded from this
  command?

94
Still we have time!

• Perhaps almost half the life is gone (in the
  sense of average human age).
• We dont know when we will die. If we learn it
  at snails pace or wait for a time to learn, when
  are going to live our everyday life in full
  Quranic light?

95
Are all Arabs good Muslims?

• There are some who say, Understanding Quran is
  not necessary for living as a good Muslim. Arabs
  understand the Quran so why are they (all of
  them) not good Muslims?
• A simple answer to this is Allah guides those
  who turn to Him. Guidance is not related to
  knowledge alone. Otherwise Abu Jahl and Abu
  Lahab would not have been left behind.

96
Our Pitiful Condition
97
The most widely read book in existence

• According to Encyclopedia Britannica (11th
  Edition under Koran), Quran is the most widely
  read book in existence.
• Well, It is most widely memorized book too.
• But sadly enough, it is the only book which is so
  widely read without understanding BY THOSE WHO
  CLAIM THEIR BELIEF IN IT.

98
They read to learn and we learn to read

• This is what is said about the others (whoever
  they are from west or east) that they read to
  learn and we Muslims, when it comes to Quran,
  learn to read only and stop there.
• Dont Muslims claim that it is the dearest Book
  to them!!!

99
Joy or grief?

• O mankind! There hath come unto you an
  exhortation from your Lord, a balm for that which
  is in the breasts, a guidance and a mercy for
  believers. Say In the bounty of Allah and in
  His mercy therein let them rejoice. It is better
  than what they hoard. Al-Quran, 1057-58.

100
Joy or

• Are we really happy and excited to have the
  Quran?
• Does our heart throb when we look at Quran?
• OR it is a burden on us, especially when we are
  asked to spend sometime daily to understand it?
• OR we feel it an unnecessary obstruction in our
  daily lives when we are asked to recite it
  everyday?

101
Only at tough times

• Most of us read the Quran only when we face
  tough times! The reciting of Quran has almost
  been associated with gloomy situations.
• According to an authentic hadith, we should
  remember Allah in good times, He will remember us
  in hard times.
• Let us remember Allah (and recite His Book too)
  in all times.

102
Correcting Tajweed Only!

• If you visit those who have some religious
  awareness, you will be corrected multiple times
  if you recite the Qurran wrongly (violating
  Tajweed rules). However, nobody will fault you
  if you dont know the meaning of the Quran!
• It is a must to learn Tajweed but let us not stop
  there.

103
Holders of big degrees but

• We are holders of big degrees and that is a pride
  for us. If somebody does not hold such degrees,
  it is a matter of shame or a sign of ignorance in
  our society. (Of course, we should work for
  education).
• However, when it comes to Quran, our Main
  Textbook we are ignorant (jaahil)!
• Nobody even bothers to ask or makes sure that he
  knows it.

104
Muslim Schools

• Muslim Schools are churning out qualified
  students in east and west of Non-Arab Muslim
  world.
• These students pass with flying colors as far as
  secular education is concerned but can not
  understand even 5 of the MAIN TEXTBOOK of
  Muslims directly.
• Is it not time for the administration of such
  schools to think seriously on this aspect?
• (See a proposal for schools on www.understandquran
  .com)

105
What type of recitation (Quality)?

• The recitation of Quran should lead to
• Increase in our faith ??
• Increase in Khushoo (humility, fear, and
  submission, )
• Cry
• Hair standing at their end
• Soften our hearts

106
If this does not happen

• IT MEANS ONE OF THE TWO THINGS
• We do not understand or
• We have hardened hearts. Al-Quran, 5716
• Have you ever seen non-Arabs who cry while
  listening to Imam in Fajr, Isha, or Taraweeh
  prayers? Why? Because they dont undestand it!
  You can see that phenomena in Arab world,
  especially in Majid-e-Haraam or in
  Masjid-e-Nabawi.

107
If this does not happen

• Allah has mentioned the effects (increase in
  faith, crying, hair standing at their ends, ) of
  recitation on His believers. Dont want to be
  like those?
• Unless we feel those effects we should say that
  our reading of Quran in not perfect. We should
  always work towards this goal.
• Understanding Quran is the first step towards
  this goal. Simultaneously we should seek refuge
  of Allah from hardened hearts.

108
The problem/challenge is of the heart

• Prayer for the right heart Al-Quran, 38.
• Hearts of hypocrites
• Hearts of Kuffar
• Hearts become blind
• Hearts become rusted
• Hearts become heedless
• Entry in Jannah if

109
The problem/challenge is of the heart

• According to a hadith .., to remove the rust of
  hearts, we should (1) remember death and (2)
  recite Quran.
• Quran in fact does bring the life of heart back.

110
Weekly vs. Daily classes

• In the following slides, it is urged that you
  should try to hold/attend daily classes on Quran
  for effective learning.

111
Why weekly sessions are not effective

1. We, in general, don't open the book after the
   class for another 3 days!!! The week passes so
   fast that on the day of Class, we say, Is it
   Friday/? O! I forgot that we have class
   today!.
2. Teaching experts say that retention in learning
   for a weekly class (especially with our heedless
   attitude towards Quran) is only 20 to 25.
   Consequently, the learning process is very
   ineffective.

112
Why

• 3. If we skip one class, it is almost
  half-a-month of no-touch/no-interaction with the
  Quranic lesson.
• 4. Even if you do it regularly (with 1 or 2
  pages/class, it means 2 or 3 Juz/paras in a
  year or 10 to 15 years to complete the
  Quran!!! What a tremendous loss of remaining
  active life! For the next 15 years (IF WE
  LIVE!), we will not be able to understand 50 of
  the Quran on the average!

113
Do it daily, otherwise

1. We will loose a lot message given to us in
   1000s of Rakahs (5 equivalent Qurans)
2. We may not have proper concentration in Salah,
   esp. in those where the Imam recites something we
   dont understand.
3. The late we start or the slower we build up our
   relationship with Allah, the more of the
   remaining life (interactive with Allahs message)
   we loose.

114
General Benefits

• 4. In addition to fulfilling the requirements of
  the study of Quran, let us see how ahadeeth
  encourage us
• Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with
  him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (peace
  be upon him) said The best among you are those
  who have learnt the Quran and teach it (to
  others) Bukhari.

115
General Benefits

• On the authority of Abu Hurairah, may Allah be
  pleased with him, that the Prophet (peace be upon
  him) said No people gather together in one
  of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of
  Allah and studying it among themselves, without
  tranquility descending upon them, Mercy (of
  Allah) enveloping them, the angels surrounding
  them, and Allah making mention of them amongst
  those who are with Him Muslim.

116
Benefits of daily program

• 5. We will stay daily for 40 minutes in Qur'anic
  environment and will be counted as those who are
  the best, inshaAllah.
• 6. Daily we will be receiving those 4 blessings
  (mentioned in the hadith) for 40 minutes,
  inshaAllah.
• 7. We will have a much better retention of the
  meanings of words of Arabic. This will increase
  our confidence in learning.

117
Benefits of daily program (contd)

• 8. Our excitement will increase with time
  because we will get the sense of achievement that
  we have covered so many paras. In fact, this is
  what happens. Completion of 10, 15 paras will
  inspire us to complete the Quran as early as
  possible.
• 9. We will develop a habit of daily recitation
  of the Qur'an.

118
Benefits of daily program (contd)

• 10. We will be in contact with each other
  everyday. That way, (as Da'ees) we will have an
  opportunity to invite our colleagues to regular
  Islamic work.
• 11. One of the important benefits of this
  approach is that a participant will see the
  demands of Qur'an with his own eyes.

119
Benefits of daily program (contd)

• 12. What will we gain if we dont come for those
  40 min. What will we spare? Will we make
  millions in those 40 min? Will we enjoy the
  best of sleep in those 40 minutes (if it is after
  Fajr till Ishraaq, the best and ideal time)?
  Compare it to how much will be lost!

120
Benefits of daily program (contd)

• 13. Make use of blessings before they are gone
  they may run out very quickly!!!
• Five blessings Life youth time health
  prosperity
• Additional blessings
• availability of the daily program (if it is not
  there, you can start it with your friends)
• the friends who are arranging this program you
  may soon go to an area where you may not find
  such a program
• the availability of translations (there was a
  time when there was no translation available)

121
From Next year under full Quranic light

• If you start daily study, then from the next year
  onwards, you will live under full Quranic light
  and guidance.
• You will inshaAllah understand every verse
  recited or heard.
• Consequently, your relationship with Allah will
  increase with time.

122
The worth of Quran?

• Let us say that our company announces a 50
  increase in salary for an overtime of 40 min.
  (after Fajr the ideal time to study the
  Quran).
• Let us say the salary is 4000. The daily
  overtime for this comes to 2000/30, i.e., 60.
• All of us including me will jump for the
  opportunity. None of us will come up with any
  excuse. We will in fact call a person fool who
  misses this golden opportunity.

123
The worth

• We are ready for for the infinite fraction of
  this dunya which is not worth even the wing of a
  mosquito and that too in a situation when we
  dont really need that extra money.
• If we are ready for that and not for a Quranic
  class (that too for 10 months only), we say with
  our actions that the worth of Quran in practical
  terms is not even 60!

124
Last Appeal

• Even if you cant start with daily class of 40
  minutes after Fajr (or after Maghrib/Isha),
• go for 20 minutes daily after Fajr
• go for 20 minutes daily after Isha
• If not daily, go for 5 days a week or at least 3
  days a week.
• But there is nothing like daily class (after
  Fajr, till Ishraq). It will be the most
  effective, as outlined earlier.

125
A Reminder Again

• Will they then not meditate on the Quran, or are
  there locks on the hearts? Al-Quran, 4724

126
Let us not be deaf

• The duties of Quran do not disappear by
  neglecting them.
• Let us not become deaf or blind to this call or
  any call by Allah, O ye who believe! Obey Allah
  and His messenger, and turn not away from him
  when ye hear (him speak). Be not as those who
  say, We hear, and they hear not. Lo! the worst of
  beasts in Allah's sight are the deaf, the dumb,
  who have no sense. Al-Quran 820-21.

127
Allah is there to help us!

• As for those who strive in Us, We surely guide
  them to Our paths Al-Quran, 2969

128
Allah is there to help us!

• The Prophet (pbuh) said, Allah says and
  whosoever comes to Me walking, I go to him
  running Hadith Qudsi, Muslim.
• We have to at least start walking. Allah will
  then surely help us. If we dont even try to
  walk, then how can we expect any help from Allah.