The Qur’an as a Mercy

So far we have talked about the Qur’an as an advice, cure and a guidance. In the final article of the ‘Characteristics of the Qur’an’ series we will discuss the Qur’an as Rahmah.

Rasulullah صلى الله عليه و سلم has informed us about the different ways the Qur’an can be a Rahmah (Mercy):

In this Life

• We receive unlimited rewards for it’s recital

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud رضي الله عنه narrates that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه و سلم said: “He who recites one letter of the Qur’an, it is one good deed for him, and one good deed is rewarded ten times. I am not saying that Alif-Laam-Meem is one letter, but Alif is one letter, Laam is one letter and Meem is one letter. (Tirmithi)

• It is a means of earning blessings

Allah Ta’ala tells us in a Hadeeth Qudsi, reported by Abu Sa’id رضي الله عنه:

“He who is unable to do my Dhikr and supplicate to me because of pre-occupation with Qur’an, I grant him better than what was given to those who supplicate. The Excellence of Allah’s word over all other words is like the excellence of Allah over all his creations.” (Tirmithi)

• It elevates the status of its companion

Umar رضي الله عنه narrates that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه و سلم said:

“Indeed Allah elevates through this book (The Qur’an) many people and lowers others.” (Muslim)

• It is a means of drawing closer to Allah

Abu Dhar Ghiffari رضي الله عنه narrates that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه و سلم said:
“There is nothing that facilitates nearness to Allah better than that which has come directly from Allah, that is the Qur’an. (Mustadrak Hakim)

• In its verses are a cure for physical & spiritual ailments

Abdul Malik ibn Umair narrates that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه و سلم said:

“There is a cure for all ailments in Surah Fatihah, the opening of the Qur’an.” (Sunan Darami)

• Its recital is a means of protection

Shaddad ibn Aws رضي الله عنه narrates that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه و سلم said:

“None amongst Muslims goes to bed and recites any Surah of the Book of Allah, except that Allah deputes an angel to guard over him, and nothing harmful will come to him until he wakes.” (Tirmithi)

In the Grave

In  ‘La’aali Masnoonah’ it is reported from the Riwaayah of Bazzaar:

“When a man dies and his relatives are busy in the funeral rites, there stands an extremely handsome man by his head. When the dead body is shrouded, the man gets in between the shroud and the chest of the deceased. When, after the burial, the people return home, two angels, Munkar and Nakeer come into the grave and try to separate this handsome man so that they may be able to interrogate the dead man in privacy about his faith.

But the handsome man says: “He is my companion, he is my friend, and I will not leave him alone in any case. If you are appointed for interrogation, do your job, I cannot leave him until I get him admitted into Paradise.”

Thereafter he turns to his dead companion and says: “I am the Qur’an which you used to read, sometimes in a loud voice and sometimes in a low voice. Do not worry. After the interrogation of Munkar and Nakeer, you will have no grief.”

When the interrogation is over, the handsome man arranges for him from the Malaul A’laa (heavenly angels) silk bedding filled with musk.

(Narrative taken from Fada’il Qur’an (Virtues of the Qur’an) By Shaykh ul-Hadeeth Mawlana Muhammad Zakariyyah رحمه الله)

In the Akhirah

• The Qur’an will act as an intercessor

Sa’eed ibn Sulaim رضي الله عنه has reported that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه و سلم said:

“On the Day of Judgement, before Allah, no other intercessor will have a greater status than the Qur’an, neither a prophet nor an angel, etc.”

• It will elevate your status in Jannah

Abdullah ibn ‘Amr رضي الله عنه reports that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه و سلم said: “On the Day of Judgement, it will be said to the Man devoted to Qur’an, ‘Go on reciting the Qur’an and continue ascending the storeys of Jannah, and recite in the slow manner you had been reading in the worldly life; your final abode will be where you reach at the time of the last Aayah of your recitation.”

The mercy of the Qur’an is overwhelming, as it is a Rahmah (Mercy), that has descended directly from Ar-Rahman (The Merciful One).

It shows us the the path to true success and averts from ultimate failure.

It gives us glad tidings of Jannah and warns us of the torment of Hellfire.

It relates to us the examples of previous nation’s and directs us as to how to live our lives.

It lays down a basis for the principals of Deen and its recitation brings us unlimited rewards and its preservation is an honour for the bearer and with every letter we recite, our status will be elevated.

It truly is overwhelming.

After mentioning the attributes of the Qur’an, Allah Ta’ala commands us:

قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّـهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ… يونس: ٥٨

“Say! With the grace of Allah and his mercy – In these should they rejoice, it is better than what they accumulate.” (Yunus: 57)

Explaining this verse, Mufassireen say that Fadhl and Rahmah of Allah here refers to the Qur’an. To recite Qur’an and act in accordance to its teachings is in itself a blessing which should be appreciated.

May Allah encompass us with the mercy of the Holy Qur’an.

Characteristics of the Qur’an Series:

Introduction – The Reality

Part 1 – The Qur’an as Advice

Part 2 – The Qur’an as a Cure

Part 3 – The Qur’an as a Guidance

Part 4 – The Qur’an as a Mercy