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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Asalaamu Alaiakum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu

4 Signs of Those who are  Studying the Qur’aan Properly

By Cilia Ndiaye

Administrator of Ad-Duha Institute

Website: http://ad-duha.org/

There are four signs that we can look for, in ourselves, that indicate how successfully we are listening to, reciting, and/or studying the Qur’an, and Allah knows best. These four signs are as follows…

1. Comprehension:

We should understand the meaning of what we are listening to or reciting (for example we are able to tell others what the ayaat are about). As Allah tells us, “(Here is) a Book which we have sent down unto thee, full of blessings, that they may meditate on its signs, and that men of understanding may receive admonition.” (Qur’aan 38:29)

This means that if you do not understand Arabic, you should make sincere efforts to learn it.

In the meantime, using a translation to assist in comprehending the message can be very helpful. However, using a translation should be a tool that you use to get to the goal (i.e. learning Arabic) rather than a goal in and of itself.

2. Emotion:

Once we understand what we are reading or listening to, we naturally will feel the weight (importance) of the message so much so that our hearts are moved by strong emotion (i.e. fear, hope, happiness, love, wonder, gratitude, etc.). As Allah tells us in the Qur’aan, “For believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put (all) their trust In their Lord.” (Qur’aan 8:2).

3. Weeping:

This strong emotion (mentioned above) does not just stop in our thoughts. The emotions that are most strongly felt are those that inspire in us a physical response. In the case of the Qur’aan, this immediate physical response is to weep (tears without loud wailing, flailing, or exaggeration). We should weep when we recite or listen to the Qur’aan (i.e. tears of joy at Allah’s mercy, tears due to fear of Allah’s punishment, or tears of gratitude due to Allah’s generous blessings, etc.). As Allah tells us in the Qur’aan, “…and when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, you will see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth: They pray: “Our Lord! We believe; write us down among the witnesses.” (Qur’aan 5:83) …“Do you then wonder at this recital (the Qur’aan)? And will ye laugh and not weep, wasting your time in vanities? But fall you down in prostration to Allah, and Adore (him)!” (Quran 53:59-62)

4. Responding:

As the ayah above indicates about the believers, tears are not the only response to the Qur’aan. Although necessary for our own benefit, tears are passive, and the Qur’aan requires and active response through a change in behavior to meet the goals that Allah has set out for us. Thus, we should respond to what is said in the Qur’aan with affirmations and praise (just as Rasulullah did). Allah has recorded in the Qur’aan how a believer should respond (with their speech and actions) to the Qur’aan  “…and when it is recited to them, They say: “We believe therein, for it is the truth from Our Lord: indeed we have been Muslims (bowing to Allah’s will) from before this.” (Qur’aan 28:53)  “…only those believe in Our Signs, who, when they are recited to them, fall down in adoration, and celebrate the praises of their Lord, nor are they (ever) puffed up with pride.” (Qur’aan 32:15)

In conclusion, the Qur’aan is a message to us that we must seek to understand and implement in our lives. By looking at what Allah has told us in the Qur’aan itself, and the behavior of Rasulullah, we can learn valuable lessons about how to study the Qur’aan properly and get the most benefit from it insha-Allah, and Allah knows best.

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Wasalaamu Alaiakum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatu