7. From the honor of Allaah is to honor the bearer of the Qur’aan
Maybe it’s time we get to know ourselves a bit better, especially our limits and restrictions. If we do so, we will come to realize that in the true sense of the word our own personal selves are not really worthy of untainted and complete honor and that in fact, it is only by following the Deen that we can raise our statuses near Allaah Almighty and gain His pleasure even while being limited, transient, needy, weak and in need of Allaah’s (‘azza wa jall) abounding Mercy and Help. Allaah, the Lord Almighty, clearly depicts to us our meek origin:
“Verily, we have created man from nutfah drops of mixed semen (discharge of man and woman), in order to try him, so we made him hearer, seer.” (Surah Al-Insaan [76]: 2)
When and while the Muslimah undertakes the honorable task of memorizing the Qur’aan, and to be successful in this regard, she must bear these facts in mind. She must remember Allaah’s Grandeur and Greatness in comparison to her meekness and weakness to be successful and to become from the special group from amongst the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) Nation who have memorized the Qur’aan onto the slates of their hearts. It is then and only then that she’ll find as she memorizes the Qur’aan that her vocal cords will be in tune and in sync with a pure intention emanating from her heart and the Noble Qur’aan will then become amazingly easier to memorize. The journey of memorizing the Qur’aan, which for some may seem like a steep and rocky terrain, will become an easy and spiritually uplifting exercise, regardless of the years of time and effort that one will have to invest into it. Yes, you’ll crave for even small doses of Hifdh sessions and you’ll feel a profound connection to the Qur’aan, especially when approaching it with the right frame of mind.
Such a Haafidhah/ Haafidhah-to-be will experience a life-changing experience, an experience that will put her existence and limitations within this expansive universe into perspective and will provide her with peace and happiness experienced by few. For, the heart craves and is in dire need of being close to its Lord. It is then, and only then, that by memorizing the very words of our most Honorable Lord, the Haafidhah will be honored – not for her sake, but solely and purely because of Allaah’s (‘azza wa jall) Words.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Indeed, from the honor of Allaah is to honor the grey-haired (older) Muslim, the carrier of Qur’aan who is neither extreme in it nor turns away from it…” (Sunan Abu Dawud)
8. The Qur’aan is the Final Testament from Allaah
The book of Allaah is a confirmation of the books before it and the seal of all the scriptures. Only the blessed one will succeed in engraving this revelation onto his heart within this limited lifespan designated by Allaah Almighty. You don’t need to memorize the Bible or the Torah, as they are generally considered abrogated and are no longer the law that we are obliged to follow. By memorizing the Qur’aan, the Haafidhah is indeed memorizing the final revelation, a current canon of law for mankind that was revealed to Muhammad, the Final Messenger (peace be upon him).
“O people! Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allaah and the Seal of the Prophets, and Allaah has full knowledge of all things.” (Surah Al-Ahzab [33]: 40)
9. The Qur’aan is a Book that Can’t be Changed or Altered
The fact that the Qur’aan is a book that can’t be altered or changed, unlike other books, is yet another distinguishing feature that it possesses. Therefore, you won’t find yourself going through the hard task of memorizing it only to find a few years later that a “revised addition” of it has been published. Today, just like yesterday, the Qur’aan is in the same pristine form in which it was revealed 1500 years ago.
“And recite what has been revealed to you (O Muhammad) of the Book (the Qur'ân) of your Lord (i.e. recite it, understand and follow its teachings and act on its orders and preach it to men). None can change His Words, and none will you find as a Refuge other than Him.” (Surah Al-Kahf [18]: 27)
10. Following the Messenger of Allaah and the Pious
The Sister who memorizes and has memorized the Qur’aan has indeed taken the beloved Rasool (peace be upon him), the righteous and the martyrs as her lofty examples. Indeed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would memorize the Qur’aan and continuously recite from it. In fact, Jibreel (`alayhis-salaam) used to review it with him once every year and in the year that he (peace be upon him) passed away, Jibreel came to him twice. We find that in the Qur’aan Allaah (ta’aala) has said: “Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah (Muhammad, peace be upon him) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allaah and the Last Day and remembers Allaah much.” (Surah Al-Ahzaab [33]: 21) Furthermore, when the Mother of the Believers, ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) was asked about the Prophet (peace be upon), she would reply:
“His character was the Qur’aan.” (Saheeh Muslim)
As for the connection of the Pious Predecessors to the Qur’aan, then it will suffice by just mentioning the example of ‘Aa’ishah, the Mothers of the Believers:
Al Qasim bin Muhammad said, “Whenever I went out in the morning, I used to visit `Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), his aunt and the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and greet her. One day I found her performing Ad-Dhuha prayer, reciting this verse repeatedly, crying and invoking Allaah: “So Allaah has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire.” (Surah At-Tur [52]: 27) I stood there until I felt bored, so I left and went to the market to do something and said to myself that when I finish what I have to do, I will go back (to `Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her). When I finished and went back to her, I found her still standing in prayer, reciting the same verse, crying and invoking Allaah.” [Al Ihya 4/436]
Therefore, every Sister that wishes to take on the character of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and follow the example of the righteous before us, and even those who live today, should inscribe the Words of Allaah Almighty in her heart and continuously review her lifestyle according to it so as to be successful, Allaah Willing, in this life and the Next.
11. A Special Characteristic of this Ummah
Hifdh al-Qur’aan (to memorize the Qur’aan) is from the special characteristics of the Ummah of Muhammad (peace be upon him). Ibn al-Jazari (rahimahullaah) said:
“The transmission of Qur’aan by reliance upon memorization (off by heart) and not upon script in the mus-haf and in books, this is from the most noble of characteristics given to this Ummah by Allaah Ta’aala.”
He also said,
“Allaah ta’aala has informed us that the Qur’aan does not need to be confined - in preserving it - to a page that can be washed with water. Instead it is read in all states as has been narrated in the description of this Ummah: “Their scriptures are in their hearts” - and this is different to the People of the Book who do not memorize it except in (referring to) the Books, they do not read it except by looking at it and it is never off by heart.”
12. You will come to really love the Paradise and vehemently hate the Hellfire
The thought of even entering a house on fire is a horrifying prospect, let alone the idea of entering Hellfire. Let’s take as many precautions as we can, as many means as we can by which to save ourselves from the hellfire by memorizing the Qur’aan.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If the Qur’aan was to be gathered inside a vessel (heart), Allaah will never punish it with the Hellfire.” (Narrated by al-Bayhaqi from ‘Ismah ibn Maalik – Saheeh al-Jaami’ 5266)
13. You’ll become from the Best, the People of the Qur’aan, the People of Allaah AND His Special Ones
Today, many Sisters are specializing and excelling in leading professions around the world so as to become distinguished and to have a standing of respect within the ranks and social statuses of this world. Yet the following questions await answers from us: where are the Sisters who have specialized in memorizing the Book of Allah, the very Words of the Creator of all that was, is and ever will exist. How many of us aspire to be in this way, from His Special Ones? How many of us give it even the same importance, or even half the importance and attention we give to acquiring and pursuing secular studies? This is not to say that Muslim Women shouldn’t acquire a good education and be learned, but it’s about where our priorities and interests lay foremost, how much importance do we give to the Qur’aan and it is some food for thought for the sisters who have completed their degrees/masters/PhDs and still show a lack of interest in gaining Islamic knowledge...
Dear Sister, if you memorize and complete the Qur’aan you will be from the ones whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) described as, “Indeed, Allaah has people from amongst Mankind: the People of Qur’aan, they are the People of Allaah and His Special Ones…” [Ahmad, Ibn Majah]
What a special gift to you O Muslimah… if you memorize the Qur’aan. Don’t lose out on this chance, a chance to become from the People of Allaah, from the People of the Qur’aan and from His Special Ones! Indeed, if Allaah (`azza wa jall) gave every servant a value and a rank, then the people of Qur’aan are the best of people in rank, for the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best of you is the one who learns Qur’aan and teaches it.” (Bukhaari)
Therefore, my dear Sister, you must now be honest and ask yourself the following:
• Don’t you want to have the honor of being from Allaah’s Special Ones?
• Don’t you want to be from HIS People?
• Don’t YOU want to be from the People of the Qur’aan?