As we are in the month of Ramadan, we inevitably focus our attention on a blessed book - the Quran. It is after all the month the Quran was revealed. The month that Jibreel, the Angel of Revelation, would visit the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and study the Book from beginning to end. In the final year before the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ passed away, they studied the Book twice. If you have been listening to lectures leading up to Ramadan, no doubt you will be familiar with verse 185 in the second chapter of the Quran:
‘The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion’.
Let’s pause and ponder:
- Ponder over the fact that the Quran is the speech of Allah the All-Mighty, who created the heavens and earth and all that is between, who is the Ever-living upon who all creatures depend on.
- Ponder that the Quran is stored in the hearts of Muslims in every corner of the world, who every year throughout the month of Ramadan recite from the first chapter Surah Al-Fatihah, to the final chapter Surah Al-Ikhlas.
- Ponder that millions of Muslims from the East to the West will be reciting the entire Quran from heart. The Quran that Allah tells us, were it to be revealed onto a mountain which is solid and stands firm, ‘you would have seen it humbled and splitting from fear of Allah’ (59:21).
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As you ponder over these points, let me now take you through three ways and three proofs to earn three blessings in these blessed days. During these 29 or 30 blessed days, use your ears to listen, your tongue to recite, and your mind to reflect:
1. When the Quran is being recited, be silent and listen attentively. You will attain the blessing of mercy and compassion. Allah says:
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وَإِذَا قُرِئَ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ فَٱسْتَمِعُوا۟ لَهُۥ وَأَنصِتُوا۟ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
So when the Qur’ān is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.
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2. Recite whatever is easy for you from the blessed book. If you only know short Surahs then just repeat them. If you only know some Ayat of one Surah and have not completed it, then repeat those Ayat. Recite slowly. Recite quicker. Pause after each Ayat. Recite and listen to each letter as you pronounce it. Every letter or word that you recite, you will be earning rewards. The blessing is greater than a single reward, it is multiplied by 10. You will gain 10 times the reward for each letter.
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عن عبد الله بن مسعود قال قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ قَرَأَ حَرْفًا مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَلَهُ
بِهِ حَسَنَةٌ وَالْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا لَا أَقُولُ الم حَرْفٌ وَلَكِنْ أَلِفٌ حَرْفٌ وَلَامٌ حَرْفٌ وَمِيمٌ حَرْفٌ
Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will receive one good deed as ten good deeds like it. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is one letter, but rather Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter.”
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3. Lastly, open the explanation of the meaning of the Quran in a language that you understand. Read and reflect over the Surahs that you have memorised. Select vers
