Hafiz Badrudeen Abdulhafiz, Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya International Ghana
Reciting the Holy Quran is greatly emphasised during Ramadan. Although Muslims must recite the Holy Quran daily throughout the year, its recitation during Ramadan is given special attention. But exactly how should the Holy Quran be recited? It is said that:
رب تال للقرآن والقرآن يلعنه
“Many reciters of the Holy Quran are such that the Quran send curses upon them.” (‘Ilm Ihya-ud-Din [Arabic], Vol. 1, p. 274)
Upon hearing this, fear and curiosity are generally aroused in one’s heart. Fear because we read the Holy Quran with the sole purpose of deriving blessings from its recitation. If one can instead become accursed, this arouses fear in one’s heart. Then, there is a feeling of curiosity; the heart asks, “Why have they been cursed, and how can I save myself from this category of reciters?”
The Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, has answered this question. He states:
“In a hadith it is mentioned that many reciters of the Quran are such that the Quran curses them [Ruhul Bayan fi Tafsiril-Quran, by Ismail Haqqi bin Mustafa, Juzw 10, p. 209, Tafsir Surah al-Muzzammil, verses 2–4]. What it means is that unless one acts upon it and has his heart in it, a given worship is like a snake – beautiful and attractive to look at but full of harmful venom on the inside.” (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 10, p. 81, footnote)
Some people recite the Holy Quran so quickly that one finds it difficult to understand what is being read. Some take joy in beautiful recitations without putting any effort into understanding the Quran and abiding by its teachings.
The Arabic word for reciting the Holy Quran is “tilawat”, and this word is derived from تلا. When it is used with a book, for example, تلا الكتاب, it means he read, rehearsed, and recited the book; he followed it and did according to it. (Malik Ghulam Faridra, Dictionary of the Holy Quran, p. 106)
From these lexical meanings, the philosophy of the recitation of the Holy Quran can be understood.
How to recite the Holy Quran in the light of Quranic teachings
Allah states in the Holy Quran:
وَرَتِّلِ الۡقُرۡاٰنَ تَرۡتِیۡلًا
“And recite the Holy Quran slowly and thoughtfully.” (Surah al-Muzzammil, Ch.73: V.5)
Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III, commenting under this verse, stated:
“The meaning of رتل given here is ‘express clearly.’ While reciting the Holy Quran, the words should be expressed distinctively to such an extent that your mind starts recognising the subtle and deeper meanings of the Holy Quran.” (Khutbat-e-Nasir, Vol. 9, pp. 18–19)
This is the method of reciting the Holy Quran that has been revealed to us by Allah. If followed, we can receive the blessings of the Holy Quran, not its curses.
Recitation of the Holy Quran as a root of worship
The Holy Prophetsa said: “Beautify the Holy Quran with your melodious voice because a melodious voice is a means of increasing the beauty of the Holy Quran.” (Mishkaat al-Masabih, Kitab fada’il al-Qur’an, Bab adab al-tilawah wa durus al-Qur’an, Hadith 2208)
Similarly, the Promised Messiahas writes: “The root of worship is in the recitation of the Holy Quran because if the words of the Beloved are read or listened to, they certainly stir love in a true lover and exhilarate ardour.” (Surma-e-Chashm-e-Arya, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 2, p. 283)
If we claim to love Allah, then to increase in His love or to fully become his beloved, we should recite the Holy Quran melodiously while keeping all His beautiful attributes in mind. If the Quran is read melodiously to increase in love for Allah, then it becomes a form of worship. Just as the Promised Messiahas has said, “Reciting the Holy Quran melodiously is a worship.” (Fatawa Hazrat Masih-e-Maudas, 2013, p. 115)
The Promised Messiahas similarly states:
“No doubt, it is commendable to recite the Holy Quran in a melodious voice, but the actual purpose behind the recitation of the Holy Quran is to learn about its divine verities and insights, and so that human beings can bring about a transformation within themselves as a result.” (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 2, p. 143)
How did the Holy Prophetsa recite the Holy Quran?
Hazrat Umm-e-Salamara, describing how the Holy Prophetsa recited the Holy Quran, said: “The Holy Prophetsa used to make pauses in his recitation. He would say, ‘Praise be to God, the Lord of the universe,’ then stop. He would next say, ‘The Compassionate, the Merciful,’ then stop.” (Mishkaat al-Masabih, Kitab fada’il al-Qur’an, Bab adab al-tilawah wa durus al-Qur’an, Hadith 2205)
Allah the Almighty also states in the Holy Quran:
اَلَّذِیۡنَ اٰتَیۡنٰہُمُ الۡکِتٰبَ یَتۡلُوۡنَہٗ حَقَّ تِلَاوَتِہٖ اُولٰٓئِکَ یُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِہٖ
“They to whom We have given the Book follow it as it ought to be followed; it is these that believe therein.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.122)
The Holy Prophetsa used to pronounce every word clearly and separately while reciting the Holy Quran. His voice would ebb and flow with emotions. Someone asked the Holy Prophetsa about the best form of recitation. The Holy Prophetsa replied that it was a recitation which showed fear of Allah. His citation also reflected this emotion of fear. (Muhammadsa – The Perfect Man, p. 127)
The Holy Prophetsa recited the Holy Quran very slowly and thoughtfully because subtle meanings are concealed in every word of the Book of Allah. Allah has made the Holy Prophetsa the best example for mankind, so this part of his life must to be adopted as well.
How does Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa recite the Holy Quran?
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, once narrated an incident regarding his recitation of the Holy Quran. During his Friday Sermon, he stated:
“Once, I went with someone for waqfe-arzi. So one day, after Fajr salat and the recitation of the Holy Quran, he said to me, ‘I didn’t expect this from you.’ I was perplexed and not aware of what I may have done wrong. Then, he said, ‘I have been observing you now for more than two or three days; you recite the Quran too slowly. I infer from this that you do not know the proper recitation of the Holy Quran.’
“Then, I answered that it is not that I recite too slowly; however, reading in that way has become my habit. I said everyone has their unique ways of recitation. I said to him that I also know how to recite fast, and no doubt, we can even compete on fast recitation. However, I read in such a manner which I enjoy.” (Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 3, pp. 626–627)
Huzooraa said: “The reason for narrating this is that some people think that fast recitation is necessary to show their expertise in the recitation of the Holy Quran. Meanwhile, Allah and his Messenger[sa] say read thoughtfully so that you can understand.” (Ibid.)
Conclusion
On one occasion, someone asked the Promised Messiahas how one should recite the Holy Quran. In reply to this, the Promised Messiahas said:
“The Holy Quran should be read with contemplation, deep thought and close attention. It is stated in the Noble Hadith:
رُبَّ قَارِئٍ يَّلْعَنْهُ الْقُرْآنُ
Meaning that, ‘There are many reciters of the Noble Quran who are cursed by the Quran.’ The person who recites the Quran and does not act upon it is cursed by the Holy Quran. While reading the Quran, when a verse mentioning God Almighty’s mercy is encountered, one ought to seek His mercy, and where there is mention of the chastisement of a people, a plea must be made to God Almighty for refuge from the punishment of God Almighty. The Quran should be recited with contemplation and reflection, and it should be acted upon.” (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 9, pp. 150-151)
In this way, the Holy Quran will not curse us; rather, it will be a source of blessing for us. May Allah enable us to benefit from the blessings of the Holy Quran. Amin!