In Your Heart
Consider these verses:
“And truly, this (the Quran) is a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds, which the Trustworthy Spirit (Jibril) has brought down, upon your heart that you may be of the warners. In a clear Arabic tongue." [al-Shu’ara: 192-195]
The Qur’an was first revealed to the heart of the Prophet (s) and it was only after his heart had absorbed it, that his tongue uttered it. But for those who memorise the Qur’an, the process is the opposite; you must first recite it by tongue until your heart captures it, locks it, and grounds it within you. This is actually the natural route for memorisation but for the Prophet (s), the process was reversed by Allah so as to protect the Risalah (Message) - it was absolutely crucial that his heart first captured it because often whatever becomes locked in the heart stays there. And only with the change of heart does a change of content occur (hence why we at times 'forget' what we've memorised).
So ask Allah to settle the Qur’an in your heart because that is where the tongue often speaks from.
Source: Fajr Blog
“And truly, this (the Quran) is a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds, which the Trustworthy Spirit (Jibril) has brought down, upon your heart that you may be of the warners. In a clear Arabic tongue." [al-Shu’ara: 192-195]
The Qur’an was first revealed to the heart of the Prophet (s) and it was only after his heart had absorbed it, that his tongue uttered it. But for those who memorise the Qur’an, the process is the opposite; you must first recite it by tongue until your heart captures it, locks it, and grounds it within you. This is actually the natural route for memorisation but for the Prophet (s), the process was reversed by Allah so as to protect the Risalah (Message) - it was absolutely crucial that his heart first captured it because often whatever becomes locked in the heart stays there. And only with the change of heart does a change of content occur (hence why we at times 'forget' what we've memorised).
So ask Allah to settle the Qur’an in your heart because that is where the tongue often speaks from.
Source: Fajr Blog
Gathered in a vessel
It is narrated from ‘Isma ibn Malik (radhiallahu `anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:
‘If the Qur’an is gathered into a single vessel (i.e. the heart), Allah will never burn it in the Fire.’
[Reported by al-Bayhaqi, declared Hasan by al-Albani]
‘If the Qur’an is gathered into a single vessel (i.e. the heart), Allah will never burn it in the Fire.’
[Reported by al-Bayhaqi, declared Hasan by al-Albani]
Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 718H)
"As for seeking to memorize the Qur'aan then this is to be given preference over many of the things that the people consider to be knowledge, but are -in reality - either totally useless, or having little benefit. It is also to be given precedence in learning especially by those who wish to acquire knowledge of the Deen, its principles and its particulars. Since what is prescribed for such a person at this time is that he should begin by memorizing the Qur'aan, as it is the foundation of the branches of knowledge of the deen. This is contrary to what is done by many of the people on innovation, in that one of them will preoccupy himself with superfluous parts of knowledge; such as kalaam (rhetorical speech) and argumentation; or very rare matters of differences; and blind following, which there is no need for; or very strange and rare ahaadeeth which are not established, nor of benefit; and many discussions do not establish proofs. And he abandons memorizing the Qur'aan which is more important than all of this. [Fataawaa al-Kubra (2/54-55).] "
What has Quran implanted in your hearts?
Malik ibn Dinar (May Allah have mercy on him) commented on the memorizers of the Quran:
يا حملة القرآن! ماذا زرع القرآن في قلوبكم ؟ فإن القرآن ربيع المؤمن، كما أن الغيث ربيع الأرض فقد ينزل الغيث من السماء إلى الأرض فيصيب الحش فتكون فيه الحبة فلا يمنعها نتن موضعها أن تهتز وتخضر. فيا حملة القرآن! ماذا زرع القرآن في قلوبكم؟
Oh carriers of the Quran! What has the Quran implanted in your hearts? For indeed the Quran is the spring of a believer, as is the rain the spring of the earth, the rain pours from the sky to the earthly ground and it falls upon the seeds in which the grain lies, there upon nothing stops the grain from growing and sprouting into a plant. So oh carriers of the Quran! What has the Quran implanted in your hearts?
يا حملة القرآن! ماذا زرع القرآن في قلوبكم ؟ فإن القرآن ربيع المؤمن، كما أن الغيث ربيع الأرض فقد ينزل الغيث من السماء إلى الأرض فيصيب الحش فتكون فيه الحبة فلا يمنعها نتن موضعها أن تهتز وتخضر. فيا حملة القرآن! ماذا زرع القرآن في قلوبكم؟
Oh carriers of the Quran! What has the Quran implanted in your hearts? For indeed the Quran is the spring of a believer, as is the rain the spring of the earth, the rain pours from the sky to the earthly ground and it falls upon the seeds in which the grain lies, there upon nothing stops the grain from growing and sprouting into a plant. So oh carriers of the Quran! What has the Quran implanted in your hearts?
Ibn ul Qayyim
“A person should spend his hours, rather his very breathing, seeking the highest of things and saving himself from the greatest of losses, and this cannot be attained except by devoting himself to the Qur’an through recitation, reflection etc.”
Abandoning the Qur’an makes the person blind to the very reason of his existence, lowers his himmah and makes him forget himself.
From 'High Aspirations'
Abandoning the Qur’an makes the person blind to the very reason of his existence, lowers his himmah and makes him forget himself.
From 'High Aspirations'
Muhammad ibn al-Fadl
"I heard my grandfather say: I asked my father for permission to study under Qutaybah, so he said: "First learn the Qur'aan and then I will give you permission." So I memorized the Qur'aan by heart. Then he said to me: "Remain until you have led the people in prayer with it (i.e. for taraweeh prayer)." So I did so, and after the "eed prayer he gave me permission, so I left for Marw. [Related by adh-Dhahabee in Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (2/722).]"
Ibn 'Abdul-Barr (d. 463H)
"Seeking knowledge is of levels and is of different stages which should not be skipped over. Whoever skips over them altogether, then he has overstepped the path of the Companions and those that follow them. Whoever deliberately takes a path other than this has seriously deviated. However, whoever oversteps due to an ijtihaad (a knowledge-based judgment that a qualified scholar makes, intending to reach the truth), then such a person has erred So the first knowledge is memorization of the Book of Allaah and seeking to understand it. And it-is obligatory to seek everything which will aid in understanding it. However, I do not say that it is obligatory to memorize all of the Qur 'aan but I do say that it is obligatory and essential for anyone who wishes to become a scholar - not that it is something obligatory in itself. [Jaami' Bayaanul-'llm wa fadlihi (pp. 526-528)]"
Al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (d. 463H)
"It is fitting for a student that he begins with memorization of the Book of Allaah -since it is the greatest of the branches of knowledge and that which should be placed first and given precedence.[Al-Jaami' li-Akhlaaqir-Raawee wa Aadaabis-Saami'(1/106).] "
Al-Haafidh an-Nawawee (d. 676H)
"The first thing he should begin with-is memorization of the mighty Qur'aan, which is the most important of the branches of knowledge. And the Companions and those that follow them did not use to teach hadeeth or fiqh except to one who had memorized the Qur'aan When he has memorized it, let him beware of preoccupying himself from it with hadeeth, fiqh or other things, to the extent that it leads him to forget anything of the Qur'aan, or makes that likely.[From the introduction to Al-Majmoo' Sharhul-Muhadhhab (1/38)] "
Sh. Muhammad al-Mukhtār al-Shinqītī
“How amazing is it that a seeker of knowledge leaves his home in order to recite and memorise the Qur’ān – for the ummah of Muhammad (may Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him). It is as if his tongue is saying: ‘O my Lord, bear witness! I want to carry the Qur’ān in my chest, thereby seeking Your Face, and desiring that which is with You!’”
Al Hassan al Basri
It was said to Al-Hassan Al-Basri: "A man has preserved the Quran (to memory)". He responded by saying: "Rather, it is the Quran that has preserved him (from every evil)."
|~| Fajr Blog |~|
I'm always amazed at the statement of al-Hasan al-Basri where he says that the hafidh of the Qur'an is not just preserving the Qur'an through his hifdh. No, rather the Qur'an is what is preserving him/her.
The more we surround ourselves with the Qur'an and busy ourselves in its recital and memorisation, the more Allah preserves us and protects us through it.
When we think about how, at times, thousands of Angels descended with just one Surah (e.g. Al-An'am) or one verse, it is no surprise then to know that Angels surround, protect, and walk alongside the huffadh of Qur'an who spend their days in the company of this Book. It is no surprise if - due to their continuous recital - they find their life blossoming, their affairs being taken care of, their illnesses being removed, their heart being settled in peace, things working out for them and so on. When you preserve the Qur'an, realise that the Qur'an preserves you tons more.
May Allah make us from amongst the people of Qur'an, ameen.
|~| Fajr Blog |~|
I'm always amazed at the statement of al-Hasan al-Basri where he says that the hafidh of the Qur'an is not just preserving the Qur'an through his hifdh. No, rather the Qur'an is what is preserving him/her.
The more we surround ourselves with the Qur'an and busy ourselves in its recital and memorisation, the more Allah preserves us and protects us through it.
When we think about how, at times, thousands of Angels descended with just one Surah (e.g. Al-An'am) or one verse, it is no surprise then to know that Angels surround, protect, and walk alongside the huffadh of Qur'an who spend their days in the company of this Book. It is no surprise if - due to their continuous recital - they find their life blossoming, their affairs being taken care of, their illnesses being removed, their heart being settled in peace, things working out for them and so on. When you preserve the Qur'an, realise that the Qur'an preserves you tons more.
May Allah make us from amongst the people of Qur'an, ameen.
What a Blessing!
One day Junayd was getting frustrated with his hifdh as he struggled with a verse. We went over and over, listened and repeated, but he kept forgetting parts of the ayah. At one point he huffed and started mumbling the verse. Tears sprung to my eyes to see him uttering Allah's words like that. I asked him where those verses were revealed from, he said from Allah. I then explained the great bounty we have to be able to hold the words of our Lord in our hands and read the script of words that descended from the heavens, words that not even our beloved Prophet (alayhi salaatu wa salaam) could read. What a blessing we have. What a truly magnificent blessing. And on top of that, the Qur'an keeps us afloat, and on top of *that* it'll intercede for us. SubhanAllah wa bi hamdihi!
-LaYinka Sanni
-LaYinka Sanni
Status
The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said: Allah honors with the Quran people and humiliates others. Your status is identified by how much you memorize from the Quran and whether you implement it in your life or not. The Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam told us that the one who memorizes the Quran most, becomes the Imam and leads the prayers. When the companions were martyred in Uhud, they used to bury 2 or 3 in the same grave. He ordered the Muslims to put them in accordance to their memorization of the Quran. Even in Paradise, the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam says “It will be said to the companion of the Quran: Recite and rise in status, recite as you used to recite in the world, for your status (in Paradise) will be at the last verse that you recite”. The one million dollar question: how much do you recite per day? How many times do you complete it per year? The minimum instructed is to complete it once a month. Remember brothers and sisters; it is not the size of your biceps or the different types of makeup you can apply that makes you who you are. It is your love to the Quran that defines you. O Allah, make the Quran the spring (joy) of our hearts!
-Assim Alhakeem
-Assim Alhakeem
Ibn Mas’ood said:
“A memorizer of the Qur’aan should be known for his long night prayers when people are asleep, his fasting when people are eating, his sadness when people are happy, his silence when people are talking nonsense, and his humbleness when people are not. He should be wise, gentle and not talk to much: he should not be rude, negligent, clamorous, nor hot tempered.”
[Ibn Al Jawzee (rahimahullaah), Sifaat As-Safwa: 1/413]
“A memorizer of the Qur’aan should be known for his long night prayers when people are asleep, his fasting when people are eating, his sadness when people are happy, his silence when people are talking nonsense, and his humbleness when people are not. He should be wise, gentle and not talk to much: he should not be rude, negligent, clamorous, nor hot tempered.”
[Ibn Al Jawzee (rahimahullaah), Sifaat As-Safwa: 1/413]
My favorite āyah that I think is my motivation for memorizing the Qurʾān is in Surah Al Ankabut. Allāh says Those are miraculous ayaat that lie in the chests of those who have been given knowledge. So if the Qurʾān is in your chest, Allāh calls you someone who has been given knowledge. Allāh compliments those who have the Qurʾān in their chest. What bigger motivation can there be? Allāh says that person is educated. Allāh didn't even call them the knowledgeable. He says they have been given knowledge, as if Allāh granted them this gift, it wasn't even theirs.
There are two things here: The knowledge isn't theirs, it's a gift given to them so they should appreciate it. And if it's given to them, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's given to somebody else. So the one who has that gift in his chest is special. And then Allāh specifically mentions that it's in their chests. Allāh mentions that dhikr and remembrance is in the chest. So memorizing the Qurʾān, Allāh aza wajjal gives us a key, for those who memorize for the right reason, their hearts are going to be safe. Their hearts are going to be in a good place. And that memorization of Qurʾān is going to fortify the faith in their hearts. It's a huge motivation for you and I to memorize the Qurʾān. There are many ahadith and many excerpts, among the sahabah for example, to memorize the Qurʾān, but this one sticks out to me. And at the end, He says“Who's going to argue against Our miraculous signs except those who do wrong” people accuse the Qurʾān of being plagiarized from the Bible and Torah, this is in Surah Al Ankabut also. Allāh says, you didn't write this with your own hand and you weren't reading from the people of the book. The fact of the matter is that the Qurʾān doesn't rest on paper, the Qurʾān lies in the chests of those who have been given knowledge.
The one who memorizes the Qurʾān becomes a part of the miracle of Allāh. The one that Allāh boasts Himself. This is how I protect the Qurʾān, by keeping it in the chests of the believers. Why wouldn't we want that medal of honor on our shoulders, and carry that in our chests? So that's our motivation to memorize the Qurʾān and may Allāh aza wajjal make it easy for every single one of us to memorize. And if you're losing motivation because it's getting hard, remember “We made Qurʾān easy for remembrance” also means for memorization. Allāh guaranteed He'll make it easy. Let's see some effort from you and Allāh aza wajjal will make that effort easy for you and me and Qurʾān will become easier and easier and easier to memorize inshā'Allāh ta'ala.
-Nouman Ali Khan
There are two things here: The knowledge isn't theirs, it's a gift given to them so they should appreciate it. And if it's given to them, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's given to somebody else. So the one who has that gift in his chest is special. And then Allāh specifically mentions that it's in their chests. Allāh mentions that dhikr and remembrance is in the chest. So memorizing the Qurʾān, Allāh aza wajjal gives us a key, for those who memorize for the right reason, their hearts are going to be safe. Their hearts are going to be in a good place. And that memorization of Qurʾān is going to fortify the faith in their hearts. It's a huge motivation for you and I to memorize the Qurʾān. There are many ahadith and many excerpts, among the sahabah for example, to memorize the Qurʾān, but this one sticks out to me. And at the end, He says“Who's going to argue against Our miraculous signs except those who do wrong” people accuse the Qurʾān of being plagiarized from the Bible and Torah, this is in Surah Al Ankabut also. Allāh says, you didn't write this with your own hand and you weren't reading from the people of the book. The fact of the matter is that the Qurʾān doesn't rest on paper, the Qurʾān lies in the chests of those who have been given knowledge.
The one who memorizes the Qurʾān becomes a part of the miracle of Allāh. The one that Allāh boasts Himself. This is how I protect the Qurʾān, by keeping it in the chests of the believers. Why wouldn't we want that medal of honor on our shoulders, and carry that in our chests? So that's our motivation to memorize the Qurʾān and may Allāh aza wajjal make it easy for every single one of us to memorize. And if you're losing motivation because it's getting hard, remember “We made Qurʾān easy for remembrance” also means for memorization. Allāh guaranteed He'll make it easy. Let's see some effort from you and Allāh aza wajjal will make that effort easy for you and me and Qurʾān will become easier and easier and easier to memorize inshā'Allāh ta'ala.
-Nouman Ali Khan