If We had sent down this Qur’an on a mountain, surely you would have seen it humbled, rent asunder by fear of God. Such comparisons do We coin for people that perhaps they may reflect. (59:21)
The Qur’an is the Divine Word or Speech sent down to humanity, the best pattern of creation that is uniquely qualified to receive it. Despite the Qur’an’s weight and gravity, most people cannot feel and appreciate its significance, for they have closed their senses and faculties to it. Those who alienate themselves and their inner life from the Qur’an receive nothing from it.
For one who is a good “diver”
The Qur’an is an ocean replete with jewels;
While one indifferent to it
Has nothing to receive from it.
The Qur’an, revealed by God to meet all our needs, diffuses blessing and is peerless in its sublimity and holiness. Those who obey it live a blessed life and acquire (spiritual) superiority over others. The Qur’an changes their world into a kind of Paradise, in which its blessings bloom like flowers. To benefit from its blessing, we must obey its commands, reflect continually on its verses, and use it to answer our questions and solve our problems. The Qur’an is the very essence of life; the more you dedicate your life to it, the more blessed and fruitful your life becomes. The opposite is just as true.
God’s Messenger declares: The best among you is one who learns the Qur’an (with all the truths it contains) and then teaches it to others.[1]
If we are to be included among the best, we should go through the Qur’anic truths and teach them to others. The Qur’an is a Divine letter to us. Its contents contain all the principles according to which we must design our lives.
Our Creator has honored us with His Word. The more respectful and obedient we are to this Word, the more honored and respected we are.
God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, also declares: One who proclaims (the truths) of the Qur’an openly and recites it to make it heard by all people is like one who gives alms openly. Another who recites it secretly is like one who gives alms secretly.[2]
Some people give alms openly to encourage others to do so. By reciting the Qur’an publicly, one exhorts others by example. Those who recite in secret should look for themselves in it, and consider it addressed to them personally. Like ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz, Muhammad ibn Ka’b al-Qurazi, and others, we should consider that all Qur’anic commands and prohibitions, promises and warnings are directed at us. If we do this, we will understand the Qur’an better and regulate our life according to it.
If we recite the Qur’an sincerely and in full consciousness of its being God’s Revealed Word, we will feel revived. If possible, we should recite the Qur’an or hear its recitation as if God’s Messenger were reciting it; or better yet, as if Gabriel were reciting it to God’s Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings; or even better still, as if we were hearing it from God Almighty Himself.
[1] Sahih al-Bukhari, Fada’il al-Qur’an, 21; Sunan Abu Dawud, Witr, 14.
[2] Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, 4.201.