BEING humans, we all crave to have the best in life, to get the best in life, and to be the best in life. Don't we? How many times have these thoughts crawled in our brains? “I want to be the best employee or the best student!” “I want to own the best mobile, the best car and be married to the best wife.” Dear brothers and sisters, as Muslims has the thought ever come to us that “I want to be the best Muslim?” Leave alone working for it, have we ever just thought about it? Well, now that this topic has come up, give it a second thought. If you believed that to be the best of Muslims you need to spend your full day in the Masjid or fast everyday of your life, you were wrong! Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave us a simple formula to be the best: “The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur'an and teaches it.” (Al-Bukhari) Subhan Allah, as simple as that! It doesn't require you to be on your prayer mat 24/7. No, the key is Allah's speech – the Qur'an. Hold on to it even if it's by starting to read a page everyday (make sure you understand it). This is something that Allah has ordered in the Qur'an. “And hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah (i.e. the Quran), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favors on you...” (Qur'an, 3:103) “And We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember, then is there any that will remember (or receive admonition)?” (Qur'an, 54:17) Benefits of reading the Qur'an: • Fulfils an Islamic duty The Prophet (peace be upon him) summarized the Religion in his statement: “The Religion is naseehah (sincerity)!” So the Companions asked, “For whom'” He replied: “For the sake of Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the people, and their common folk.” (Sahih Muslim) Sincerity to the Book of Allah includes reciting it regularly, learning the rules of Tajweed and trying to beautify our recitation, understanding its meaning, Tafseer and the reasons for revelation, and most importantly affirming that it is the Truth, the perfect Speech of Allah and not part of the creation. We honor it by learning it, implementing it in our lives, teaching it and calling people towards it. So by reading and reflecting over the Qur'an, we fulfill an obligation and will Insha Allah be rewarded for that. • Intercession on the Day of Judgment The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Read the Qur'an, for verily it will come on the Day of Judgment as an intercessor for its upholders.” (Sahih Muslim) All those early mornings we spent reciting the Qur'an will Insha Allah bear its full fruit when it really matters: the Day of Judgment. We can't even imagine how it will be, when the Qur'an will intercede for those who honored it. May Allah make us among them, Aameen. • How much in 5 minutes? I'm sure you're familiar with the famous Hadith, “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “Laam” is a letter and “Meem” is a letter.” (Al-Tirmidhi) Subhan Allah, can you imagine the weight of good deeds that will be added to your right side by just reciting one verse? This is really a blessing for all of us. There is no end to the benefits of reading the Qur'an. Also, our wisdom and thoughts develop positively, giving us a clear and intellectual understanding of life if we seek guidance from the Qur'an, the Book of our Creator. May Allah make us among the people of the Qur'an and make the Qur'an a witness for us on the Day of Judgment and not against us. So go ahead, learn and teach the Qur'an, and make yourself among the best of Muslims Insha Allah.
