The Purpose and Significance of the Qur’an
The Qur’an is the word of Allah; it was revealed for the wellbeing and guidance of mankind.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ
“This is a Book (the Qur’an) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its verses, and that men of understanding may receive admonition.”
— Surah Sad: 29
The Qur’an should not be recited merely to boast about the number of times one has completed it. Instead, it must be recited with the noble intention of seeking guidance.
An authentic sign of internalizing the Qur’an is when a person experiences trembling of the body and shedding of tears upon reciting verses concerning Allah’s warnings and punishments. Conversely, when reciting verses about Allah’s promises and glad tidings, one should express gratitude to the Almighty and supplicate (Du’a) to be granted a share in those blessings.
When reciting the Qur’an, one should not rush. It should be read slowly, distinctly, and with deep contemplation to understand its meanings. The ultimate objective of recitation is comprehension.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
إِنَّ هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ
“Verily, this Qur’an guides to that which is most just and right.”
— Surah Bani Isra’il: 9
He who aligns his actions with the guidance of the Qur’an attains the right path and goodness. On the other hand, he who lives heedless of the Qur’an’s commands goes astray and incurs evil.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قَدْ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْكُمْ ذِكْرًا
“So fear Allah, O men of understanding who have believed! Allah has indeed sent down to you a reminder (the Qur’an).”
— Surah At-Talaq: 10
The Duty of Every Muslim Toward the Qur’an
Many Muslims remain ignorant of this divine Book throughout their lives. Reciting the Qur’an daily, contemplating its meanings, loving it, and honoring it should be a binding duty and daily practice for every Muslim. Everything within the Qur’an constitutes the commandments of Allah. Viewing the recitation of the Qur’an as a burden is dangerous to one’s faith (Iman).
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “By reciting the Qur’an, a servant attains greater closeness to Allah than others.”
The companion Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Jibril (peace be upon him) came to me and said, ‘O Muhammad! Your Ummah (community) will fall into disputes and divide after you.’ I asked, ‘O Jibril, what is the solution to that?’ He replied, ‘The Book of Allah (is the solution). Through it, Allah has shattered every tyrant. Whoever holds fast to it achieves success, and whoever abandons it is destroyed,’ repeating this twice.”
He further added: “It is a decisive word (distinguishing truth from falsehood), and it is not a matter for jest. Constant repetition does not make it wear out, and its marvels never end. It contains stories of those before you, solutions to the disputes current among you, and news of what is to come after you.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also stated that Allah says:
“Whosoever is so occupied with the recitation of the Qur’an that he finds no time to remember Me or ask of Me, I shall grant him more than what I grant to those who ask. The superiority of My Word over all other words is like My superiority over My creation.”
— Tirmidhi
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“On the Day of Resurrection, it will be said to the companion of the Qur’an (the one who recited it with joy and paused at the correct places in the world): ‘Recit and ascend! Recite rhythmically and distinctly as you used to recite in the world. Your status in Paradise will be determined by the last verse you recite.’”
— Tirmidhi
A Healing for Believers and Warnings for the Heedless
Allah says in the Qur’an:
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا
“And We send down of the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe, and it increases the Mujrimun (wrongdoers) nothing but loss.”
— Surah Bani Isra’il: 82
Instead of reciting the Qur’an for worldly gains, the true duty toward it is to implement its commands and prohibitions in daily life. For those who seek the love of Allah, the Qur’an serves as a mercy. However, for those who commit injustice, it stands as a cause for condemnation.
Regarding those who do not follow the Qur’an, Allah warns:
وَاتَّبِعُوا أَحْسَنَ مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ
“And follow the best of that which is sent down to you from your Lord, before the torment comes on you suddenly while you perceive not!”
— Surah Az-Zumar: 55
The Qur’an contains vital lessons about past nations who perished in this world. Through it, Allah reminds us of the divine assistance granted to the righteous who feared Him, as well as the destruction that befell those who disobeyed Him.
Ultimately, the Qur’an contains absolute guidance for every aspect of life.
