Qur’an is not just for consolation, memorisation and recitation
Some Muslims may feel that the purpose of the Qur’an is so that the ordeals of life may be borne with patience and dignity. Knowing full well that life for man is a struggle and full of disappointments, some may argue that Allah (swt) revealed the Qur’an solely so that when man is at his lowest point with respect to morale, he may be uplifted and rejuvenated when the verses of Allah (swt) are recited to him. We may find that the recitation of Qur’an will fill the houses of those who have recently been bereaved, yet little heed will be paid to the meaning.
Though the beautiful recitation of the Qur’an does have a unique effect upon man, it does not mean that the Qur’an was revealed solely for this effect. When this virtue is confused with the purpose, it leads to a dangerous situation. Such Muslims will have little cause during their lives to turn to the Qur’an in any form whatsoever, other than at times of severe strife or stress. And even at such times for a limited use.
Also, the sincere love of Islam drives many Muslims to take memorisation (hifz) and recitation (qira’ah) of Qur’an seriously. And rightly so, its recital and memorisation carry much reward from Allah (swt).
Accordingly, Muslims insist o_n sending their children to madrassah for this very purpose, and feel a great sense of accomplishment when their child completes the reading of Qur’an, or memorises its entire contents. Other Muslims may wish to excel in the recitation of Qur’an, while others may chose to seek the reward of listening to a recitor (qaari).
The point here is that memorisation or recital of the Qur’an alone is simply insufficient for Muslims. For these must be accompanied by sound belief and complementary actions. Yassir ibn ’Amr (ra) narrates; ‘I asked Sahl bin Hunaif, ‘Did you hear the Prophet saying anything about Al-Khawarij?’ He said, ‘I heard him saying while pointing his hand towards Iraq, “There will appear in it (i.e, Iraq) some people who will recite the Qur’an but it will not go beyond their throats, and they will go out from (leave) Islam as an arrow darts through the game’s body.”’’
Approaching the Qur’an in its complete sense
Thus, it is unacceptable to overlook or deny the purpose of the Qur’an whilst seeking its virtues. Believing in the Qur’an is not enough, nor is its recitation and memorisation. The Islamic Ummah has declined because it did not use the Qur’an productively. Productive use of the Qur’an entails using it as a standard by which to judge all matters and to use it to determine how change will be produced. Subsequently, the Muslim will become a force of change opposing all that contradicts the verses of Allah (swt) he has recited.
“And this (He commands): Judge between them by what Allah has revealed and follow not their vain desires but beware of them lest they beguile you from any of that which Allah has sent down to you.” [TMQ 5:49]
The Jews and Christians have tampered with the text that was revealed to Musa (as) and ‘Eesa (as). In contrast, Muslims have the Qur’an today in exactly the same form as was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Qur’an is protected by Allah (swt), its contents are pure and untampered with. However, if the Muslims approach it incorrectly then how can they expect to benefit from it? It would be little consolation for the believers to have the Qur’an preserved, o_nly to have it then discarded, albeit in its preserved form. It would come to be regarded as the Bible to the Christians or the Torah to the Jews. These books have no significance for life’s affairs today.
Whilst it is true that the Qur’an addresses the individual, the address directs the individual to change himself, his family, his surroundings, this Ummah, the society within which he lives and indeed all societies i.e. the world. Islam gives the Muslims a yardstick by which to evaluate the political and economic matters as well as doctrinal and ritualistic matters. This is unlike the books of the Jews and Christians, which o_nly relates to distorted doctrinal and ritualistic matters.
The way forward
One of the many steps along the path to revival would be for Muslims to understand the Qur’an and its purpose correctly, thereby facilitating our return to our rightful place as leaders of humankind. The Qur’an should manifest in every aspect of the life of a true believer every day. He should read it every day, recite it, memorise it, act upon it and contemplate over its bounteous gifts. It should be the basis around which his thoughts and emotions are formed. The Qur’an must be his guide, creating a desire within him to ensure that his society and all societies live according to their true purpose. He will approach the Qur’an intending that the light of its guidance will not just illuminate his soul but the life of the entire world. Allah (swt) revealed,
“They o_nly are the (true) believers whose hearts feel fear when Allah is mentioned, and when the revelations of Allah are recited unto them they increase their faith, and who trust in their Lord; Who establish worship and spend of what We have bestowed o_n them.” [TMQ 8:2,3]