| 418 | Rasheed | In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Success lies in following only the methodology of the Salaf of this Ummah, who understood Islam best and practised it best, and following new and innovated methodologies, however attractive and correct they might seem, will lead only to deviation and remoteness from Allaah and His Messenger (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam). Therefore, we should know, my brothers and sisters in Islam, that the way of the Salaf is that memorising the Qur’aan must not be done without understanding and comprehension of its meanings, together with its implementation. `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood (radiyallaahu `anhu) said: “When one of us would learn ten Verses, he would not exceed them until he knew their meaning and implementation.” An authentic narration; authenticated by At-Tabaree (Jaami`-ul-Bayaan, 1/83), Ahmad Shaakir (Tafseer-ut-Tabaree, 1/80/81), Al-Huwainee (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 1/114), Hikmat Basheer Yaaseen (At-Tafseer-us-Saheeh, 1/11), Shu`aib Al-Arna’oot (As-Siyar, 1/490), Husayn Asad (Ibid) and Al-Judai` (`Uloom-ul-Qur’aan, p.86, 439). Aboo `Abdir-Rahmaan As-Sulamee, one of the Imaams from the Taab’een, said: “Verily, we learnt this Qur’aan from a people (i.e., the Companions) who told us that when they used to learn ten Verses they would not exceed them to the next ten until they knew what was in them of knowledge. So we used to learn the Qur’aan as well as how to practise it. And verily, a people will inherit the Qur’aan after us gulping it like a drink of water. It will not pass their throats (into their hearts).” An authentic narration; authenticated by Al-Haakim (1/557), Ahmad Shaakir (Tafseer-ut-Tabaree, 1/80/82), Al-Huwainee (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 1/114-115), Al-Halabee (Tamyeez-ul-Mahzoozeen `anil-Mahroomeen, p.347-348), Shu`aib Al-Arna’oot (Musnad Ahmad, 38/466/23482), Al-Judai` (`Uloom-ul-Qur’aan, p.439), `Amr Saleem (Al-Bida`, 255) and others. In fact, the Salaf were only submitting to the command of Allaah and His Messenger (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam). Allaah, the Exalted, said (the meaning of which is): “This is a blessed Book which We have revealed to that they may reflect upon its Verses.” (Saad, 38:29). “Do they not then contemplate over the Qur’aan or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)?!” (Muhammad, 47:24). “And We have certainly made the Qur’aan easy to understand and remember; then is there any who will receive admonition?!” (Al-Qamar, 54:17, 22, 32 & 40). This Verse was repeated four times in just one Soorah! “The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah is like that of a donkey that carries volumes of books (but understands and benefits nothing from them).” (Al-Jumu`ah, 62:5). Ziyaad ibn Labeed Al-Ansaaree (radiyallaahu `anhu) said in an authentic hadeeth: “The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) mentioned something once and then said: “And that will occur at the time when knowledge will disappear.” I said: “O Messenger of Allaah! And how is it that knowledge will disappear while we recite the Qur’aan and we read it to our children and our children read it to their children?!” So the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said: “May you mother be ransomed for you, O Ibn Umm Labeed! Do not the Jews and the Christians recite the Tawraah and the Injeel, yet derive no benefit from them whatsoever?” C.f. Hadeeth.webs.com/authentic/ilm/away.html He (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam), emphasising the importance of reciting with comprehension, also said: “Whoever recites the Qur’aan in less than three days did not understand it.” An authentic hadeeth; authenticated by At-Tirmidhee (2949); Ibn Hibbaan (3/35/758), Ibn Hazm (Al-Muhallaa, 3/53), An-Nawawee (Al-Adhkaar, p.86; At-Tibyaan, p.72), Adh-Dhahabee (As-Siyar, 3/84, 4/325) Ibn Hajar (C.f. Al-Futoohaat-ur-Rabbaaniyyah, 3/235-236), Al-Albaanee (Sifat-us-Salaah, p.103-104; Al-Asl, 2/519-520, 522; Hidaayat-ur-Ruwaah, 2/396/2142; Saheeh Abee Daawood, 5/135-136, 138/1257, 1260), Shu`aib Al-Arna’oot (Musnad Ahmad, 11/92, 414, 431/6535, 6810, 6841), Al-Hilaalee (Mawsoo`at-ul-Manaahee, 1/217), Al-A`zamee (Al-Minnat-ul-Kubraa, 2/567/1037), Al-Huwainee (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 1/318, 352), Al-Judai` (`Uloom-ul-Qur’aan, p.463) and others. `Aa’ishah (radiyallaahu `anhaa) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said: “Indeed, a Verse was revealed to me tonight. Woe to him who recites it but does not contemplate it!” Then he recited the Verse, “Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth…” (Aal `Imraan, 3:190). Authenticated by Ibn Hibbaan (2/387/620), Al-Albaanee (As-Saheehah, 1/147-148/68; Saheeh-ut-Targheeb, 1468), Al-Waadi`ee (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 2/220), Shu`aib Al-Arna’oot (Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan, 2/387/620), Al-Hilaalee (Al-Istee`aab, 1/350) and Hikmat Basheer Yaaseen (At-Tafseer-us-Saheeh, 1/492). The Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) also said describing the Khawaarij: “They will recite the Qur’aan but it shall not pass their throats (into their hearts).” Reported by Al-Bukhaaree (3344، 3610، 5058، 6931، 6934، 7432، 7562) and Muslim (2446-2449، 2452-2453، 2459-2461، 2466-2468). C.f. Fath-ul-Baaree (12/293). Therefore, what Allaah and His Messenger (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) commanded us is to more than just memorise the words of the Qur’aan! Everyone knows that a book is meant for understanding, not just for reciting. This is all the more true of the Qur’aan. No one ever reads a book on any subject without trying to understand it. The same is true of the Qur’aan, on which rests our well-being and happiness, our religion and life. And correctly comprehending its meanings cannot be achieved without knowledge of the Arabic language. Al-Imaam Ash-Shaafi`ee said: “Learning the Arabic language is obligatory upon every Muslim as much as he can exert himself to, in order that he may with it testify that none deserves to be worshipped except Allaah alone, and that Muhammad (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) is His slave and Messenger, and with it read the Book of Allaah, the Exalted, and recite the Dhikr that is obligatory upon him.” (Ar-Risaalah, #167, p.48, Shaakir ed.; 1/20, Fawzee ed.; C.f. Al-Iqtidaa’, p.313). Shaykh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah, as well as scholars said: “The Arabic language itself is part of Islam and knowing it is an obligatory duty. Surely, it is obligatory to understand the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, and they cannot be understood without knowing Arabic, and whatever is essential for fulfilling an obligation also becomes obligatory.” (Iqtidaa’-us-Siraat-il-Mustaqeem, p.316; C.f. Al-Khutab-ul-Minbariyyah lil-Fawzaan, 1/128; Tahreem Kitaabat-ul-Qur’aan-il-Kareem bi-Huroof Ghayr `Arabiyyah, chapter 4, #40; Mu`jam-ul-Udabaa’, 1/53; Fayd-ul-Qadeer, 6/50; Fataawal-Azhar, min Ahkaam Mutafarriqaat, Al-Lughat-ul-`Arabiyyah wal-Lughaat-ul-Ukhraa; Al-Wahy-ul-Muhammadee, 1/122; Tafseer-ul-Manaar, 11/258). See also: As-Sawaa`iq-ul-Ghadabiyyah fir-Radd `alaa Munkiree al-`Arabiyyah (p.266) lil-`Allaamah Najm-ud-Deen At-Toofee. Al-`Allaamah Muhammad Sultaan Al-Ma`soomee said in his commentary to the Verse (An-Nisaa’: 43): “Indeed, Allaah, the Exalted, addressed his believing slaves, whether they are Arabs or non-Arabs, forbidding them from approaching the Salaah while they are intoxicated and do not know what they are saying. And this reasoning for the above prohibition tells us that knowledge of what a person says in Salaah of recitation and dhikr is an obligation or a prerequisite, and knowledge is to understand something. And this proves the obligation of knowing the Arabic language upon every Muslim in order to understand what he says in Salaah.” (Tamyeez-ul-Mahzoozeen `anil-Mahroomeen, p.133, c.f. p.20, 21, 52, 335). Therefore, the Arabic language is a prerequisite for understanding the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. Al-Imaam Aboo Bakr At-Tartooshee said: “And from what the people have innovated in the Qur’aan is limiting themselves to memorising its words without understanding.” He also said, commenting on the last Verse above: “Allaah likened the reciter of the Qur’aan without understanding to a donkey carrying huge burdens of books… so the general meaning of the Verse includes whoever memorises the Qur’aan from our Ummah, then does not understand it and (thus) does not implement what is in it.” (Al-Hawaadith wal-Bida`, p.96, 100, 101). See also: Al-Muntaqan-Nafees min Talbees Iblees lib-il-Jawzee (p.115). Al-`Allaamah Sulaimaan ibn `Abdullaah Aalush-Shaykh said: “Al-Qurraa’ is the plural of Al-Qaari’, and they are according to the Salaf those who recite the Qur’aan and know its meanings. As for reciting it without any understanding of its meanings, it was not found during that age. Rather, it appeared after that among other innovations.” (Tayseer-ul-`Azeez-il-Hameed, 2/1078). Al-Imaam Ibn Katheer said in his explanation of the Verse, “And the Messenger will say: “O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur’aan!”” (Al-Furqaan, 25:30): “Not understanding it and pondering its meanings is a form of forsaking it.” (Tafseer-ul-Qur’aan-il`Azeem, 10/303). Al-Imaam Ash-Shaukaanee and others said: “Know that the ahaadeeth regarding the virtues of the Qur’aan are plentiful, and that reciter of the Qur’aan does not completely gain the reward promised in the authentic ahaadeeth until he understands its meanings, for that is the fruit of his recitation.” (Fath-ul-Qadeer, 1/71). See also: Taareekh Ibn Khaldoon (1/539-540); Islamic Education & Practice (p.16). And we should realize, my brothers and sisters, that innovations only lead to more innovations, which is especially true in this case. First, we started leaving off the recitation according to the Sunnah, reciting fast and joining the Verses together with the mere aim of “completing” the Qur’aan! Then we began leaving off the correct pronunciation and tajweed. Then we contented ourselves with merely memorising its words without understanding, and now we want to read whole “Qur’aans” transliterated into other languages! The scholars have prohibited that by consensus and declared that such a thing is not the Qur’aan! (C.f. Tahreem Kitaabat-ul-Qur’aan-il-Kareem bi-Huroof Ghayr `Arabiyyah, by Saalih Al-`Ood). Therefore, I advise you my brothers and sisters, to first memorize only what you need to know for your Salaah, such as Soorah Al-Faatihah and a few other short soorahs, and then concentrate your effort in learning the Arabic language instead. I guarantee you that after that, memorising the Qur’aan will become a hundred times easier and more enjoyable! You will also have a completely new experience performing Salaah and Dhikr, with more concentration and humility than ever before, Inshaa’ Allaah. You will also have more access to Islamic knowledge than ever before! The best way to learn the Arabic language is through a good teacher. There are also some good online resources that might be useful for you, such as the textbooks and resources of Madinah University’s Arabic Language Learning Program: http://mediu.org/eMaahad/eBooks/index.htm And Allaah knows best. May Allaah send peace and blessings upon the Messenger, his family, his companions and all those who follow them in truth until the Day of Recompense. Your brother in Islam, Rasheed Ahmad. P.S. This article is still incomplete; I will, inshaa; Allaah, publish the complete revised version on MadinahShowroom.webs.com or Hadeeth.webs.com. |