The Holy Qur’an is a living treasure which
Allah sent down as a guide, a light, and a mercy for all humanity. The person
who devotes his life to memorising it, that is, who becomes a Hafiz-ul-Qur’an,
attains an exceptional rank with Allah and amongst the angels. In numerous
authentic Hadiths, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught that memorising the
Qur’an is not merely an act of devotion, but a path towards honour, blessing,
and nearness to Allah.
In the Qur’an, Allah says: “... These are clear verses preserved in the hearts of those who have been given knowledge (that is, those who have studied it and those who have memorised it) ...” (Al-Ankabut 29: 49).
According to a Hadith reported by Hazrat
Abdullah ibn Amr (ra), the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “It will be said to the
one who memorised the Qur’an: ‘Recite,’ that is, recite the Qur’an, ‘as you
used to recite during your worldly life; your rank will be determined according
to the last verse that you recite.’” (Tirmidhi)
This clearly shows that every verse which has
been memorised and recited elevates a Hafiz to higher ranks in Paradise.
A Hafiz does not remain at the same level; he rises gradually according
to his recitation, and this is an extraordinary favour which Allah has reserved
for those who dedicated their lives to preserving His Word within their hearts.
According to Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Aisha (ra),
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The one who recites the Qur’an and memorises
it will attain the same rank as the noble and righteous angels; and the one who
exerts great effort to continue revising what he has already memorised shall
receive a double reward.” (Bukhari)
This Hadith highlights two dimensions of
memorising the Qur’an. Firstly, a Hafiz gains closeness to the angels,
and this alone is an immense honour. Secondly, the person who struggles through
difficulties to maintain his memorisation receives a double reward, because
Allah does not only reward ease; He also rewards sincere effort.
The Holy Qur’an will become a source of honour
for a true Hafiz. Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) reported that the Holy Prophet
(pbuh) said: “On the Day of Judgement, the Qur’an will present itself before
Allah and will say: ‘O Lord, clothe him, for he is among those who memorised
me.’ Then he will be given a crown of honour and a garment of distinction. And
each time he recites a verse, he will receive a special gift from Allah.”
(Tirmidhi). This shows that the Qur’an is not merely a book; it becomes an
intercessor, an advocate, and a protector for the one who memorised it.
In another Hadith reported by Abu Umama
al-Bahili (ra), Nabi Kareem (pbuh) said: “Recite the Qur’an, for it shall
intercede on behalf of those who recite it on the Day of Judgement. Recite
Surah Al-Baqara and Surah Al-Imran, for they shall come like two clouds
protecting those who memorised them. Surah Al-Baqara is a source of blessing,
and the one who abandons it will regret it.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
This shows that the Qur’an is not only a Book
of guidance in this life, but it will also become an advocate for every
believer who recited it sincerely in the Hereafter. Even more so, it will
become a powerful defender for a Hafiz-e-Qur’an who learnt the Qur’an
sincerely from the heart and exerted effort to preserve its verses within his
heart. Thus, the Qur’an will plead on his behalf before Allah all the more.
The parents of a Hafiz-e-Qur’an
will also receive a special reward. Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) reported that the
Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “On the Day of Resurrection, the Qur’an will
appear in the form of a pale man and will say: ‘I kept you awake at night; I
made you thirsty; today I shall watch over you.’ Then kingship will be placed
in his right hand, eternity in his left hand, and a crown of light upon his
head. His parents will be given two garments more precious than the world and
everything within it. They will say: ‘O Lord, is this for us?’ And Allah will
say: ‘Yes, because of the teaching of the Qur’an which you enabled your child
to receive.’” (Reported by Tabarani in Al-Awsat, Vol. 6, p. 51).
This is proof that Allah does not forget the
parents who supported their children on the path of the Qur’an. Even if they
were not themselves Huffaz, they share in the blessings of their child
because of their support and encouragement.
In the Qur’an itself, Allah says: “And indeed We have made the Qur’an easy for
memorisation; so is there anyone who will take heed?” (Al-Qamar
54:17).
This verse is a reminder that Allah has made
the memorisation of the Qur’an accessible, and whoever engages in this noble
task receives divine assistance.
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) also said: “The best
amongst you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” (Bukhari).
Therefore, a Hafiz-e-Qur’an does not merely preserve the Qur’an for
himself, but also has the responsibility of transmitting it to others. This
Hadith shows that a Hafiz becomes a source of guidance, a teacher, and a
protector of the Deen of Allah.
Therefore, you should bear in mind that
memorising the Qur’an is an act which brings blessings into the life of a true
believer, and it will become a source of honour for him after death. The very
Qur’an that he preserved in his heart through memorisation or frequent
recitation, and whose verses and divine instructions he put into practice, will
raise him in rank on the Day of Judgement.
Indeed, this is a path filled with blessings,
but it is also a path filled with responsibilities. The one who memorises the
Qur’an must remain faithful to it, live according to its commandments, and
convey it in the manner it deserves.
The Holy Qur’an is truly a living treasure, and
a Hafiz-ul-Qur’an becomes the guardian of this treasure. Allah honours
those who memorise His Word, and He has promised rewards for this noble action,
rewards so great that they surpass human imagination. Whoever engages in this
noble task is granted a life illuminated with light and a future filled with
divine mercy.
Therefore, I encourage all the youth of the
Ummah of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), as well as the elders, and I particularly
emphasise this for the members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, my sincere
disciples, to establish Qur’an classes for young people who have the desire to
memorise the Qur’an and become true Huffaz; not merely to obtain the
title of Hafiz-e-Qur’an, but to preserve the Qur’an within themselves,
to bring their souls to life, and to share this treasure with others. All those
who wish to join such Qur’an classes are welcome, each within their own country
and jurisdiction. We must encourage our youth to remain faithful to Allah and
to their Islam. The Qur’an will stand as a witness for all of us because it is
the sacred Word of Allah. Therefore, whoever strives on this path will receive
an even greater reward from Allah, and Allah will use them as a vehicle, an
instrument, for preserving His Word until the Day of Judgement, just as He has
promised in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, it is We Who have sent
down this Qur’an, and indeed We shall preserve it.”
(Al-Hijr 15: 9).
Therefore, you should regard this as a favour
that Allah is granting you, namely to become vessels for His verses. I
supplicate that the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, and the Ummah of Hazrat Muhammad
(pbuh) as a whole, may be blessed with true and sincere Huffaz-e-Qur’an
who will protect the verses of the Qur’an within themselves and become
priceless vessels preserving the treasure of Allah’s words. I pray that Allah
assists them on this path and rewards all parents who encourage their children
upon this way. I also pray that children, through their own free will, develop
this love for the Qur’an and do not regard the encouragement of their parents
as pressure or compulsion, but rather as a blessing.
As for parents, they must remember that there
is no compulsion in religion. They should encourage their children along this
path and not force them, especially once they have reached the age of ten years
and beyond. Puberty brings the stage when a child begins making decisions
independently, and the invitation to Islam and to the Qur’an must be made with
gentleness. Your children are, in reality, your first responsibility and the
people towards whom you must become true callers to Allah. Parents must show
them the beauty of Islam, teach them everything that ought to be taught, and
allow their children to walk the path of Allah through faith, and that faith
itself will come from Allah, Insha-Allah.
I pray for all our young Muslims throughout the
world, especially in a world where the influence of Dajjal has spread
everywhere, that they may firmly preserve the true teachings of Islam within
themselves and become like living Qur’ans who walk upon the earth. Insha-Allah,
Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of