10 Things you are Missing if you don’t Understand the Quran
The Quran is a guide to humanity. Since none of us want to be
misguided, it is paramount not only to read or recite the Quran, but to
understand and implement it in our lives as well.
Following are the top 10 things you are missing every day in your life if you don’t understand the Quran:
1. The Purpose of Revelation
If you don’t understand Qur’an and keep on reading it, the very
purpose of revelation is lost. Allah SWT says: “ (Here is) a Book
which We have sent down unto you (O Muhammad!), full of blessings, that
they may mediate on its Signs, and that men of understanding may receive
admonition [38:29].”
How can we do that if we don’t understand the Qur’an! One cannot and
does not carry translation always, especially while listening to it in
Salah!
2. The Garden of Mind
The mind is like a garden. If we don’t sow flowers, weeds will grow.
Even if we sow flowers, weeds will still grow. We will need to remove
the weeds continuously.
Flowers are the Guidance and the weeds are satanic thoughts. Allah
SWT sows flower seeds into our brain every time we listen to Qur’an,
especially in Salah/Namaz. If we don’t water them (ponder), they will
be wasted and weeds may grow.
3. The Objectives of Recitation
There are 5 objectives of Reading Qur’an:
- to receive rewards from Allah;
- to gain knowledge;
- to take action based on what Allah SWT is asking us to do;
- to cure our heart and mind; and
- to talk to Allah SWT!
How can we achieve all of these, especially the last four, if we don’t understand the Qur’an.
4. The Cleaning of Heart
People know that Fajr is compulsory but very few come to Masjid.
Why? Not because they don’t know but because their hearts are rusted. We
have a major misconception that Qur’an is a book of commandments only.
The verses that deal with commandments constitute less than 10% of the
total verses. The rest 90% is for the heart and mind. The heart keeps
rusting and deviating because of sins. We need de-rusting and
re-alignment.
Adam (A) was asked not to go near the tree. Allah says: “but he
forgot; and We did not find in him any determination.” We humans have
these weaknesses. We have several fitnahs (trials) surrounding us. We
need continuous reminders and warnings which come to us only through
daily recitation and listening to the Qur’an. Allah says about the
Qur’an: “a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts” [10:57]. Can
there be a better cure than what Allah has prescribed for us?
5. The Strengthening of heart
The Qur’an was revealed to the prophet (PBUH) in pieces. “And those
who disbelieve say: Why has not the Quran been revealed to him all at
once? Thus, that We may strengthen your heart by it and We have arranged
it well in arranging. [25:32]. Heart should be firm in belief to His
promises and warnings. Continuous pondering of the Qur’an everyday
during and after Salahs helps us strengthen our hearts.
6. Daily ‘Talk’ (Munajaat) with Allah SWT
Prophet Muhammed (PUBH) used to interact with the recitation. “And
when he recited the Verses which referred to the Glory of Allah, he
glorified Him, the Great, and when he recited the Verses that mention
supplication, he supplicated, and when he recited the Verses that
mention seeking Refuge of the Rubb, he sought (His) Refuge.” [Muslim].
Can we live without talking at least five minutes every day to our
near and dear ones? Allah is most beloved to us. He loves us more than
seventy times that of our mothers. Still we live without bothering as
to what Allah SWT said today to us during Salah!
7. Live Guidance
Whatever we read or listen to the Qur’an, remember that it is a live
guidance from Allah SWT to each individual when he or she listens to
Qur’an. It is a HUGE loss only if one can appreciates the value of live
guidance from Allah, our own Creator. A wise man can never neglect this.
8. Relationship with Allah SWT
There are different dimensions to the relationship with Allah – His
Love, Sincerity, Trust in Him, Remembering Him directly and whenever we
see His signs in creation, Pondering His creation and in His names, not
complaining of Qadaa, etc. This relationship is strengthened over time.
It requires slow and steady cooking with regular heat coming from
Qur’an.
9. Qu’ranic Character
According to Aisha (R), “His (the Prophet, pbuh) morals were the
Qur’an”. The Qur’an is theory and the Prophet’s life was practical
demonstration of that theory (thee Qur’an). We need to study the Seerah
of the Prophet pbuh and keep relating the verses that we study to his
life. This is a project in itself and requires one to ponder the verses
every day along with the Seerah of the Prophet, pbuh.
10. Qur’anic Vision
As a patient starts describing his problems, the doctor’s mind starts
working on diagnosis and comes up with the relevant medicines.
Similary, we come across many situations in our life. We should be able
to see solutions in the Qur’an corresponding to these situations. Only
through continuous pondering and relating it to the daily life, one can
attain this vision.
Will they not then ponder over the Quran, or is it that they have locks on their hearts!? [Quran, 47:24]
(This is) a Scripture that We have revealed unto thee,
full of blessing, that they may ponder its revelations, and that men of
understanding may reflect. [Quran, 38:29]