Reading Vs Understanding Quran
As she walks into her college, feeling a bit unusual. Something was wrong that was bothering her. She was in the midst of these thoughts when she entered her classroom. She went to her seat and sat quietly as she saw her teacher entering the classroom.
To her surprise, she witnessed her teacher conducting the lecture in a language that she did not understand. All her classmates were also using the same language for conversation. It took her fractions of a second to realize what was bothering her.
Why was everybody else talking in a new language all of a sudden? She could not help herself. The only choice she had was to sit in class and listen to something that she did not understand at all. All she was achieving was attendance for being in class but that’s not the only purpose she was there for. Attendance may grant her some credit but it won’t provide her the knowledge she was there for. As she needed both to pass her exams.
Just for a moment, imagine yourself in such a situation. I am pretty much sure that you, just like her, would like to make the most of the knowledge bestowed in college rather than just being there. Similar is the case with Qur’an. While reading Qur’an, you must also understand what is being taught by Allah (S.W.T). Only attendance is not enough. You need both, recitation and understanding in order to pass the last test of your life with high grades.
No doubt that recitation of Qur’an has its own perks and benefits. And it is absolutely baseless to say that Reading Quran in Arabic has no importance. As Allah (S.W.T) says in the Qur’an,
Surah An-Kaboot chapter 29 verse no. 45,
“We have revealed the verse of the Qur’an and recite what We have given to you.”
Our beloved Prophet (P.B.U.H) said,
Tirmidhi hadith no. 2910
“Anyone who recites one letter of the book of Allah, he gets one hasna/sawab (reward) and that is multiplied 10 folds”
But reading Qur’an serves only the first step when it comes to the amount of the reward. It is just like going to college (the first step towards knowledge) and achieving nothing but attendance. You may get some marks for attendance. But practically you are missing out your actual purpose of being there.
Similarly if besides reading Qur’an in Arabic, if we read it in the language we understand and implement its teaching in our everyday life, we will get multiple times sawab. Likewise if along with going to college, you understand what is being taught there, you would be in a better position to implement it properly and Insha’Allah will pass your exams with flying colors.
Allah (S.W.T) says,
Surah Al-Nahal verse no. 44,
“With clear arguments and Books. And O’ Beloved! We sent down to you the Remembrance that you may explain to people what was sent down to them and that haply they may ponder.”
Qur’an is not just meant for reading. It is a complete code of life. In order to implement that code, you need to understand its teaching. Have you ever wondered why Muslims all over the world are struggling and what was the secret of success of Mohammad (P.B.U.H) and his companions? It was the relationship they had with the Qur’an. They don’t just read it but they understood it and ponder over it and tried to implement its teaching in their everyday matters hence they flourished.
Our beloved Prophet (P.B.U.H) said,
Ibn e Maaja hadith no. 219,
“Oh Abu-Dar, it is better that you learn one verse of Qur’an than pray hundred rakaat of Salah”
In this hadith, Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) emphasizes the importance of understanding and learning Qur’an. Understanding and learning a single verse of Qur’an is far more superior than reading 100 rakaat Salah. In every rakat, the minimum no. of verses that one recites are seven i.e. Surah Fatiha. In 100 rakaat, the minimum no. of verses that you will recite are 700 verses of Qur’an. According to hadith if you learn and understand one verse of Qur’an, it is far more superior than reciting 700 verses of Qur’an.
Consider Qur’an as guide book that guides you to such treasures which nobody has ever witnessed before. Then go and don’t just read it, try to find the path that leads to treasures of world i.e. eternal success and peace. If you need help with reading and understanding Quran daily, the QforQuran team is taking good and reliable initiatives in this regard. Visit the Facebook Page of QforQuran and meet IQRA in the chat section to get help in reading and understanding Quran daily.
Reading Quran and understanding is one thing, but helping others do the same is another and much better. You can get sawab of their recitation and good deeds even while you are sleeping or eating food. Who wouldn’t want that? Thankfully, the developers of IQRA are giving you a chance to have all this sawab. All you need to do is to support them on their Launch Good campaign and you can get sawab for all the people who read Quran through IQRA. Isn’t that great?
