Ramadân, The Month of The Qurʾân - Day 2 (1444.h)
﷽
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُواْ الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ اللّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allâh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allâh [i.e. to say Takbîr (Allâhu Akbar; Allâh is the Most Great] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.
Sûrah Al-Baqarah, Âyah 185
The month of Ramadân is the month in which the Qurʾân was revealed, as well as some of the other divine books that were revealed to the Prophets that came before our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ); and this has been confirmed in a Hadîth reported by Imâm Ahmad, on the authority of Wathîlah ibn Al-Asqa who narrated that Allâh's Messenger (ﷺ) said:
"The Suhuf (Scriptures) of Ibrâhîm were revealed during the first night of Ramadân. The Tawrah (Torah) was revealed during the sixth night of Ramdân. The Injîl (Gospel) was revealed during the thirteenth night of Ramadân. Allâh revealed the Qurʾân on the twenty-fourth night of Ramadân."
[Musnad Ahmad, 16536].
So, Allâh chose this blessed month to reveal in it some of the previous scriptures as well as the Qurʾân. However, much of the previous scriptures had been corrupted by the hands of Priests, Monks and Rabbis, thus Allâh sent the final Messenger, Muhammad (ﷺ) with the revelation (Qurʾân and Sunnah) that abrogated all previous revelations.
While many of us may not realise it, the Qurʾân is one of the greatest blessings which Allâh has bestowed upon us! It contains guidance to that which is best for us, it helps to clarify to us what is truly right and wrong, and it serves as an overall guide to success in both our Deen and Dunyawy (worldly) affairs. Therefore Allâh, Al-Hakîm, The Most-Wise, said (the meaning of the verse): "…a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion…" This Âyah clarifies that the Qurʾân was revealed as a means of guidance for the hearts which seek the truth, and it serves as a distinguisher between truth and falsehood for those who believe in it and adhere to its commands, and the Qurʾân ultimately guides them to the straight path.
The Qurʾân also explains the truth (of Allâh's sole right to be worshipped, and the Messengergership of The Best of Men Muhammad ibn ʿAbdillâh ﷺ) in the clearest of ways with no ambiguity.
So reflect upon the Âyât of the Qurʾân as you recite them during these days and nights, likewise, strive to understand and act upon what it is your Creator, The Lord of The Worlds is calling you to enjoin in or to abstain from. Reflect on why the previous nations were destroyed, and why others were raised and praised. Many of us have experienced periods of difficulty in life, stress, and situations where we've felt lost, but in those moments why don't we look to the Qurʾân for the solution? Allâh, The Most High, mentioned:
وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا فِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ لِلنَّاسِ مِن كُلِّ مَثَلٍ
And indeed We have put forth every kind of example in this Qur'ân, for mankind
[Sûrah Al-Kahf:54]
While it is good to recite the Qurʾân frequently and as much as one can during this month of Ramadân, we should keep in mind that is not a book which we open in the month of Ramadân then leave on the shelf in other months. As we mentioned this Qurʾân is a guide for mankind, and it is a book we are all in constant need of reciting, learning, and acting upon. We should have it in mind that Allâh sent our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to teach us how to understand and implement the Qurʾân, as He (ﷻ) explained in His statement:
وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
And We have also sent down unto you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) the Dhikr [reminder and the advice (i.e. the Qur’ân)], that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought.
[Sûrah An-Nahl:44]
Imâm Hassan al-Basrî was reported to have said:
"May Allâh have mercy upon a slave who presents himself and his actions to the Book of Allâh, Mighty and Majestic; if these conform to the Book of Allâh, he praises Allâh and asks Him for more; but if these oppose the Book of Allâh, Mighty and Majestic, he scolds himself and returns (to goodness) quickly."
[Akhlâq Hamalatil Qurʾân; pg. 20].
So let's strive hard to emulate our Salaf as-Sâlih (Pious Predecessors) who would give much importance to the recitation of Qurʾân in the month of Ramadân (and out of it). It is reported that Al-Aswad ibn Yazîd an-Nakha'î used to complete the recitation of the Qurʾân in Ramadân every two nights. And outside Ramadân, he used to complete a recitation every six nights [1]. It is also reported that Imâm al-Bukhârî used to complete a recitation of the Qurʾân once a day during Ramadân, and he would pray after Tarâwîh every night completing another recitation every three nights [2]. It is extremely important that we understand that reserving the month of Ramadân for only reading the Qurʾân, while disregarding other acts of worship, is not something we know from those who preceded us in righteousness. However, what we do learn from them is that during Ramadân we are to increase in the recitation of the Qurʾân, while also increasing in other acts of worship, then When Ramadân was over they would ask Allâh to accept their worship.
Al-ʿAllâmah Sâlih al-Fawzân (حفظه الله), when he was asked regarding how the Salaf prepared for Ramadân, he mentioned that when Ramadân was over, they would worry over whether their deeds had been accepted. This is because they had knowledge of Allâh's greatness, and they knew that Allâh (سبحانه) only accepts deeds which are sincere and performed in accordance with the Sunnah of His Messenger (ﷺ). The Salaf weren't self-righteous, and they wouldn't think of themselves as better than others like many of us do in our time, rather they were afraid of Allâh nullifying their deeds. Hence, they were greatly concerned about the acceptance of their actions, because Allâh says: "Indeed, Allâh only accepts from the righteous" [Sûrah al-Mâ'idah, 5:27] [3].
This was the condition of the Salaf (from the Prophet (ﷺ), his noble companions, and the two generations that came after them), and they are the best of generations which Allâh has commanded us to follow. So it is upon us, o servants of Allâh, to follow their path and to emulate them. We ask Allâh, the Mighty and Majestic, to aid us and grant us success.
وصلّى الله وسلّم على نبيّنا محمّد وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين
Abû ʿUbayd .M. An-Nijirî.#Ramadân-Day-22/ Ramadân/ 1444 هـ24/ March/ 2023.(1) - Hilyatul Awliyâ' (1/250)
(2) - Siyar ʿAlâm Al-Nubalâ (12/439)
(3) - Hal as-Salaf as-Salih fi Istiqbâl Ramadân
