Useful recitation

When a Muslim recites the book of his Lord, he does not only get a reward but also benefits from it in his world and his Hereafter. His self is cultivated, his harm is removed, and his sickness is cured. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "And We send down of the Qur'ân that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islâmic Monotheism and act on it)." [Surat Al Isra': 82].

The meaning is: We reveal down from the Qur'an Ayahs that cure the diseases of souls and hearts, such as: Errors, ignorance, Satanic insinuation, aberration, worry, whims, desires, deviation, and mistakes to comfort the soul and the heart.

The Qur'an is a mercy for mankind, contains the correct faith; the guide to the truth, be firm on it, and to desire for goodness and righteous deeds; and introduction to the pleasure of Allah and gaining His Paradise. [Al Wadih fi At-Tafsir by the author of the article].

The heart finds comfort in reciting the Qur'an, Allah says: "Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allâh: verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest." [Surat Ar-Ra`d: 28]. So, the believing hearts find rest, in addition to other worldly benefits.

Of the most important things a person can get from reciting the Qur'an is taking lessons from its Ayahs: This is understood from pondering over the following Ayah: "(This is) a Book (the Qur'ân) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember." [Surat Sad: 29].

The meaning is: This is a book for all people which contain many benefits to them in regard to their worldly and Hereafter affairs so that they could ponder over its Ayahs and understand their wisdoms and secrets, and for mindful people to take heed.

A Muslim recites the Qur'an to know the bad consequences of previous people who disobeyed Allah and His Messenger and refused to believe and obey, then he takes a lesson for not disobeying Allah so as not to incite the wrath of Allah and not to be punished in the Hereafter. "And they were covered with humiliation and misery, and they drew on themselves the Wrath of Allâh. That was because they used to disbelieve the Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh and killed the Prophets wrongfully. That was because they disobeyed and used to transgress the bounds (in their disobedience to Allâh, i.e. commit crimes and sins)." [Surat Al Baqarah: 61].

Likewise the examples which Allah mentioned in His Book are useful for people to compare, think, and walk in the Straight Path. "O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully):" [Surat Al Hajj: 73].

A person shall not forget the story of the people of the garden who swore not to feed a single poor, so Allah destructed the entire product. When a person recites this, he takes a lesson and does not forget to give the poor from his money and properties.

In the last Ayah of the story, Allah says: "Such is the punishment (in this life), but truly the punishment of the Hereafter is greater if they but knew." [Surat Al Qalam: 33].

The meaning is: This is the punishment of those who disobey the commands of Allah and show ingratitude to the favors of Allah, then the punishment in the Hereafter will be severer; if people had knowledge and understanding, they would have understood that.

When a person recites the Ayahs which contain "calling" such as: "O those who believe," he will listen, consider, and follow the command of Allah because surely they contain goodness for himself and for others.

A person should seek refuge in Allah against the cursed Satan without following his steps and takes a lesson from the story of Adam when Satan deceived him then he was punished by coming down to earth.

"O Children of Adam! Let not Shaitân (Satan) deceive you, as he got your parents [Adam and Hawwâ' (Eve)] out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments, to show them their private parts." [Surat Al A`raf: 27].

A person should take a lesson from the People of the Scriptures and their deviations so that he may seek refuge in Allah from a heart that does not show reverence, and seeks refuge in Allah from being one of the lewd.

"Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) to be affected by Allâh's Reminder (this Qur'ân), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fâsiqûn (the rebellious, the disobedient to Allâh)." [Surat Al Hadid: 16].

A person may consider the reward which Allah prepared for His Righteous Servants to follow their steps.

"So because of what they said, Allâh rewarded them Gardens under which rivers flow (in Paradise), they will abide therein forever. Such is the reward of Al-Muhsinûn (the good-doers)." [Surat Al Ma'idah: 85].

A person reads the Ayahs of Jihad and its great reward, so he asks Allah for being killed in Allah's Cause.

"Verily, Allâh has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties for (the price) that theirs shall be Paradise. They fight in Allâh's Cause, so they kill (others) and are killed. It is a promise in truth which is binding on Him in the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) and the Qur'ân. And who is truer to his covenant than Allâh? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded. That is the supreme success." [Surat At-Tawbah: 111].

A person recites the Ayahs of repentance so that he would repent before getting sick or before approaching death.

"And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islâmic Monotheism) to your Lord and submit to Him (in Islâm) before the torment comes upon you, (and) then you will not be helped." [Surat Az-Zumar: 54].

A person should keep away from hypocrisy and polytheism which annul all actions and drive their doers to Hell.

"Verily, Allâh forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners (in worship) with Him, but He forgives whom He wills sins other than that, and whoever sets up partners in worship with Allâh, has indeed strayed far away." [Surat An-Nisa': 116].

A person may reflect on manners and morals which Allah praised in His Book to have and keep away from obscene matters and deniable actions that corrupt the society.

"Verily, Allâh enjoins Al-'Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allâh Alone - Islâmic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsân [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allâh, totally for Allâh's sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet peace be upon him in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin (i.e. all that Allâh has ordered you to give them e.g., wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of help), and forbids Al-Fahshâ' (i.e. all evil deeds, e.g. illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right), and Al-Munkar (i.e. all that is prohibited by Islâmic law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression). He admonishes you, that you may take heed." [Surat An-Nahl: 90].

A person may recite the Ayahs that speak about the glorification of Allah to Himself so that he would glorify and praise Him.

"The creation of you all and the resurrection of you all are only as (the creation and resurrection of) a single person. Verily, Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Seer." [Surat Luqman: 28].

"The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein, glorify Him and there is not a thing but glorifies His Praise. But you understand not their glorification. Truly, He is Ever Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving." [Surat Al Isra': 44].

A person may recite Allah's Saying: "Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying), I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me." [Surat Al Baqarah: 152]. So, he should mention his Lord in all conditions and cases without forgetting Him.

A person may reflect on Allah's Book to see how Allah exhorts people to ponder over the creation of heavens and the earth: "Those who remember Allâh (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): "Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted are You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire." [Surat Al `Imran: 191].

Thus, a Muslim should be a good reader who considers, takes a lesson, benefits, and gains reward.