A Muslim's duties towards the Quran

The Quran was given to us Muslims as guidance for us to live accordingly in the temporary world. In fact, the Quran is able to lead us to Paradise and bring the Believers away from Hell fire, so may Allah guide and enable us to re-establish our contact with the Quran! Here are our duties, as Muslims, towards Al Quran Al Karem:

1. Believing in the Quran is the third pillar of faith in Islam and is the first duty towards the Book. As Muslims, we should put our utmost faith in it. The Quran isn’t just a Book about rules of Dos and Don’ts, but it’s a sacred Book full of stories and miracles; even many have been scientifically proven (eg: creation of human, rain system, honey bees, etc)! So even tho’ it might sound very epic or hard to believe, but know this; the Quran is made out of Allah’s words so take Quran as an important aspect in our lives!

Related verse from the Quran: 

♦ “This is a Book which We have revealed to you (Muhammad) in order that you would be able to lead mankind from darkness into light along the parth of the Majestic, Praised One” [Ibrahim 14:01]

2. The second duty towards the Quran is to recite it in the best manner possible; which is slowly, clearly and with a nice and proper tone. Take note that one must speak and enunciate (pronounce) when reciting, not to “recite” it in his or her thoughts!
The Quran should also be read proficiently. Proficient means one who reads the Quran in accordance with the rules of At-Tajwid. However, for those who do not read fluently, but reads with great effort, Masyallah, he will be given double the reward!

Related verse from the Quran:

♦ “And recite the Quran (loudly) in a slow (pleasing tone) style” [Al-Muzzamil 73:4]

Related hadiths:

• Narrated by Ibn Mas’ud (r.a): The Prophet (pbuh) said : “Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a ten-fold reward. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter.” [At-Timirdhi]

• Narrated by ‘Aishah (r.a): The Prophet (pbuh) said: “The one who is proficient in the recitation of The Qur’aan will be with the honourable and obedient angels, and he who recites The Quran and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite it in the best way possible, will have a double reward.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]
 

3. Reciting the Quran without understand its meanings isn’t complete for a Muslim! Understand of the Quran means to contemplate its meanings, to reflect on its teachings, aims and wisdoms. In fact, it is the key to all knowledge, insyallah. There are many ways to learn and understand the Quran, so use the technology and your capabilities at its best in order to learn about the words of Allah! All the best!

Related verses from the Quran:

♦ “Do they not then consider The Quran carefully? Had it been from other than ALLAH, they would surely have found therein much contradictions” [An-Nisa 4:82]

♦  “This is a Book (The Quran) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that people of understanding will take heed” [Sad 38:29]

4. Now that we’ve believed, recite and understand, it would only be appropriate to apply and practice the contents of the Quran! Examples of applying the teachings of the Quran are: by deeming lawful what it permits (eg: eat halal food, earn halal money), deeming forbidden what it forbids (eg: stealing, wasting time), avoiding what it prohibits (eg: zina) and applying all of its laws (eg: wear hijjab).

Related hadith”

• Narrated by Abu Umamah (r.a): I heard the Prophet (pbuh) saying, “Read the Quran, for it will come as an intercessor (syafaat) for its reciters on the day of Resurrection” [Riyadhus Salihin, Book 8 Chapter 180 #991]

5. It is a duty bound upon every Muslim (not just Imaams, Scholars or Ustaz) to invite people towards the path of Allah. But before doing so, one must acquire the knowledge, for one cannot provide any guidance without knowledge. Remember, “Spread knowledge even if it’s just one verse of the Quran!” So equip yourself with good knowledge (even if it’s just little) and you’re good to go!

Related hadiths:

• Narrated by Abdullah bin ‘Amr (r.a): the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Convey (knowledge) from me even if it is just one verse from the Quran” [Al-Bukhari]

• Narrated by Abu Hurairah (r.a): The Prophet (pbuh) said: “ He who calls others to follow the Right Guidance will have a reward equal to the reward of those who follow him, without their reward being diminished in any respect on that account. “ [Muslim]