Thinking about and trying to understand meanings of the Glorious Quran, which Allah has sent down for His slaves to clarify all things and as a Light that He gives to whom He wills among His slaves. Indeed, the Quran contains tremendous medicine for all ills of the heart, as Allah [az] said, "And We sent down from the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism)." (Al-Qur’aan: 17:82)
The Quran contains Islamic Monotheism; Allah’s promises, warnings and Commandments; stores of previous nations; and codes of the best conduct and behaviour. These various subjects in the Quran have different effects on the heart. Some Soorahs (chapters) of the Qur’aan are more frightening than others.
The Prophet’s Reaction When Reciting the Qur’aan
The Messenger of Allah said, what translated means, "Hood (Al-Qur’aan: Chapter 11) and its sisters (Al-Qur’aan: Chapters 56, 77, 78 and 81) have brought me white hairs before their due time." (As-Silsilah As-Sahihah). The Chapter Hood and its sisters brought white hairs to the Messenger of Allah because of what they contain of matters of eemaan [faith]. These Soorahs [chapters], and the rest of the Quran, showed their effect on the Messenger of Allah and his companions, exactly as they were ordered in the Quran, "So stand (ask Allah to make) you (Muhammad) firm and straight (on the religion of Islamic Monotheism) as you are commanded and those (your companions) who turn in repentance (unto Allah) with you." (Al-Qur’aan: 11:112)
The Companions’ Reaction When Reciting the Qur’aan
The Companions would also be deeply moved with emotions when they recited the Qur’aan. Abu Bakr, for example, who was a soft-hearted man, used to cry while reciting the Qur’aan when leading Muslims in prayer. Once, 'Umar became ill as a result of his reciting the verse, "Verily, the Torment of your Lord will surely come to pass. There is none that can avert it." (Al-Qur’aan: 2:7-8)
On another occasion, U’mar wept when he was reciting the verse, "I (Prophet Jacob) only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah." (Al-Qur’aan: 12:86), and he was clearly heard by those who were standing behind him.
Furthermore, Uthman ibn `Affan said,
"If our hearts were pure, they will never have enough from reciting Allah’s Speech (the Quran)."
The Reaction Of the Later Generations When Reciting the Qur’aan
As for later generations, Ayyoob said, "I heard Sa`d ibn Jubayr recite the Ayah, "And be afraid of a Day when you shall be brought back to Allah." (Al-Qur’aan: 2:281), repeating it more than twenty times." This is the last Ayah that was revealed to the Messenger of Allah, and it ends with, "Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly." (Al-Qur’aan: 2:281)
Also, Ibrahim ibn Bashar said, "If you could but see where they will be held over the (Hell) Fire! They will say, 'Would that we were but sent back (to the world)." (Al-Qur’aan: 6:27), was the Ayah that Ali ibn al-Fudhayl died while reciting. I was among those who prayed the Janazah (funeral) prayer on him, may Allah grant him His Mercy."
Furthermore, when our Salaf [predecessors] would reach a portion of the Qur’aan where Sujood (bowing down) is warranted, they treated this incident different than ordinary people. A man once recited, "And they fall down on their faces weeping and it adds to their humility." (Al-Qur’aan: 17:109), and then fell in Sujood. Then, he said to himself,
"Here you are, you do the Sujood, so where is the crying?"
Ibn Al-Qayyim said with regards to what one should do to cure his weak emaan using the Quran,
"First you should remove your heart from the life of this world and settle it in the Next Life. Then, pay your full attention to pursuing the meanings of the Qur’aan, and try to comprehend and understand them and what they were sent down to accomplish. Then, offer these meanings to the sickness that your heart feels, and when they touch the disease, they will cure the heart, Allah willing."
