The first lesson to be learned by all students is about the importance of the Holy Qur’an. The Qur’an is the Book of Allah subhaanahu wa ta‘aalaa. Every word in the Qur’an has come from Allah. That is why we say that it is a Holy Book. The words in the Qur’an were sent by Allah to Prophet Muhammad sallal-laahu ‘alayhi wa-aalihi wa sallam. The Prophet (S) received the words of Allah through angel Jibra’eel. This Qur’an is a Holy Book that was not written by anyone but sent by Allah to Prophet Muhammad (S) through Jibra’eel.
1. It is the most truthful speech:
Prophet Muhammad (S) regularly read the words of Allah to Muslims around him. These Muslims were very pleased and excited to receive the words of Allah. Prophet Muhammad (S) said: The most truthful speech, the most eloquent advice, and the greatest stories are in the Book of Allah. The Muslims listened carefully to what the Prophet read, memorized the sentences and passages of the Qur’an, recited them regularly and followed the teachings of the Qur’an. In order to preserve the words of Allah the Prophet appointed special people known as “Scribes of the Qur’an” to write down the words of Allah.
2. It is in original language:
Prophet Muhammad (S) was an Arab and the majority of people in Mecca and Medina spoke Arabic. Therefore the Qur’an was sent in Arabic. Arabic is written from right to left. It is better to learn to read the Qur’an in its original language. Therefore, we will put efforts to learn Qur’an written in Arabic instead of simply reading its translation in other languages.
3. The Holy Qur’an contains Allah’s message to all people.
It tells people how to act correctly. It guides us to a correct way of life in this world. The Book of Allah also talks about life after death. It tells us that Allah has prepared Paradise for good people and Hell for bad people. The Qur’an encourages the worship of only one God Who creates and provides for them. The Book forbids people from evil and condemns those who do wrong. It contains stories of the past Prophets and the examples of bad and good people. People are advised in the Qur’an to be good to others and respect them. It teaches people to live in peace and harmony.
4.The greatness of a lover of the Holy Quran:
Sayyidunā Shaykh Šābit Bunānī قُـدِّسَ سِـرُّہُ الـنُّـوۡرَانِی used to complete the recitation of the Holy Quran once every day. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه would always observe fast during the day and offer supererogatory Ṣalāĥ throughout the night. He would always offer 2 Rak’āt of Nafl Ṣalāĥ in every Masjid he passed by (this Ṣalāĥ is known as Taḥiyya-tul-Masjid). Revealing the blessings bestowed upon him, he says, ‘I have completed the recitation of the entire Holy Quran and I have wept in the court of my Rab عَزَّوَجَلَّ next to each and every pillar of the Jāmi’ Masjid.’
He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه had exceptional love for Ṣalāĥ and for the recitation of the Holy Quran, and the extent of the blessings upon him is coveted. Consequently, after his passing away, during the burial suddenly a brick slipped and fell into the grave. When some people leaned in to pick up the brick they were amazed to see that the Shaykh رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was standing in his grave and offering his Ṣalāĥ! When his family members were asked about that, his respected daughter said: My honourable father رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه would make the following supplication every day, ‘O Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! If you grant anybody the blessing of offering Ṣalāĥ in his grave after death, then privilege me too [with such a blessing].’
5.Ten virtues for one letter:
The Noble and Glorious Quran is the Sacred Word of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ; reciting the Quran, teaching the Quran, listening to the Quran, and reciting the Quran for others to listen to, are all rewarding acts. On reciting one letter of the Holy Quran, one reaps ten virtues. In this respect, the Beloved and Blessed Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated, ‘Whoever recites one letter of the Book of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, he will get one virtue which will be equivalent to ten virtues. I am not saying that الٓــمّٓ (Alif-Lām-Mīm) is one letter; in fact اَلِـف (Alif) is one letter, لَام (Lām) is one letter, and مِـیْـم (Mīm) is one letter.’ (Sunan-ut-Tirmiżī, vol. 4, pp. 417, Ḥadīš 2919)
To recite the Quran, O my Allah! Give me the ability
So that my heart may be cleansed from iniquity
6.The best person:
The Embodiment of Nūr, the Noble Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated: خَيۡرُ كُمۡ مَنۡ تَعَلَّمَ الۡقُرۡاٰنَ وَعَلَّمَهٗ meaning: The best person amongst you is the one who learnt the Holy Quran, and taught it to others. (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, vol. 3, pp. 410, Ḥadīš 5027)
Sayyidunā Abū ‘Abdur Raḥmān Sulamī رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ used to teach the Holy Quran in the Masjid and he would say, ‘This Ḥadīš has made me seated here.’ (Fayḍ-ul-Qadīr, vol. 3, pp. 618, Ḥadīš 3983)
7.The Quran will intercede and take people into Paradise:
It is narrated by Sayyidunā Anas رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی عَـنْهُ that the Prophet of Mankind, the Peace of our heart and mind, the most Generous and Kind صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated, ‘Whoever learnt and taught the Holy Quran, and then acted upon whatever is in the Holy Quran; the Quran will intercede for him and take him into Paradise.’ (Al-Mu’jam-ul-Kabīr, vol. 10, pp. 198, Ḥadīš 10450; Tārīkh Dimashq, vol. 41, pp. 3)
8.Memorized 15 parts of the Quran in the womb of mother:
A useful question, with its faith-enlightening reply, is hereby presented from Malfūẓāt-e-A’lā Ḥaḍrat:
Question: Your eminence! Is there any age specified in the Sharī’aĥ for ‘Taqrīb-e-Bismillāĥ[1]?’
Response: There is nothing fixed in the Sharī’aĥ [in this regard], however, the age of 4 years, 4 months and 4 days has been considered [for this] by the respected scholars. When Sayyidunā Shaykh Khuwājaĥ Quṭb-ul-Ḥaq Waddīn Bakhtiyār Kākī رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was 4 years, 4 months and 4 days old, his ‘Taqrīb-e-Bismillāĥ’ was arranged and people were invited. Sayyidunā Shaykh Khuwājaĥ Gharīb Nawāz رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was also present and was about to ask the child to recite the بِسۡـمِ اللّٰه, but then he was invoked with Divine Inspiration [Ilĥām], ‘Wait, Ḥamīduddīn Nāgorī is coming and he will teach [the child to recite بِسۡـمِ اللّٰه].’ At the same time in Nāgor, Qāḍī Ḥamīduddīn رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه received Divine Inspiration telling him to go and teach one of the servants of Allah to recite the بِسۡـمِ اللّٰه. Immediately, he visited the ceremony and said to the child, ‘Son! Recite ‘بِسۡـمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحۡـمٰنِ الرَّحِيۡمِ.’ The child began to recite ‘اَعُوۡذُ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيۡطٰنِ الرَّجِيۡمِ بِسۡـمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحۡـمٰنِ الرَّحِيۡمِ’ and he continued to recite from the beginning of the Holy Quran until he had completed the recitation of 15 parts by heart.
Shaykh Qāḍī Ḥamīduddīn and Shaykh Khuwājaĥ Gharīb Nawāz رَحِـمَهُمَا الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی said, ‘Son! Continue reciting!’ The young child replied, ‘I had heard this much in the womb of my mother, and this is as much as she had memorized, so I too memorized this much!’ (Malfūẓāt-e-A’lā Ḥaḍrat, pp. 481)