5. Tarteel (Reading in slow, measured
rhythmic tones):
The ideal way in which the Holy Book
should be recited is that one should stand in post-midnight prayer before his
Lord, with hands folded in all humility, and recite the Qur’an in a receptive
state of mind, slowly and patiently, pausing at proper places so as to enable
one’s heart to imbibe its influence. This kind
of recitation is
called tarteel, and
perhaps the most important instruction that was given to
the Holy Prophet (SAW) in the earliest stage of his prophetic mission was to
recite the Qur’an in this manner:
O you wrapped in garments! Stand (in
prayer) by night. But not all night; half of it, or a little less, or a little
more. And recite the Qur’an in slow, measured rhythmic tones.
(Al- Muzzammil 73:1-4)
Reading the Qur’an slowly and
thoughtfully, making pauses at proper points in its text, has a resemblance
with the mode of its revelation. As we all know, the whole Qur’an was not
revealed at once but it has descended piecemeal at intervals. In the Surah
entitled “Furqan,” by way of answering those who objected as to why the Qur’an
was not revealed all at once, Allah (SWT) says addressing His Messenger (SAW):
…thus
(is it revealed)
that We may strengthen your heart thereby, and we have revealed it to you
in slow well-arranged stages, gradually.
(Al-Furqan 25:32)
This signifies that tarteel is an
effective means of strengthening the heart’s convictions. Undoubtedly, reading
the Qur’an on this pattern does the greatest good to the human heart. It often
moves one to tears with intensity of feeling. While explaining tarteel, Allama
Ibn Arabi (RA), the author of Ahkam- ul-Qur’an, has quoted the following tradition
narrated on the authority of Hasan Ibn Ali (RAA):
Once the Holy Prophet (SAW) happened
to pass by a person who was reading the Qur’an. He was reading it ayah by ayah,
and the end of each he paused and wept. Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said to his
Companions (RAA): “Have you heard Allah’s command: ‘Read the Qur’an in slow,
measured tones.’ Look, here you have its demonstration.”
The following words
of the Holy
Prophet (SAW) contain a similar
instruction for tarteel, i.e., reading the Qur’an in slow rhythmic tones.
Recite the Qur’an and weep. (Narrated
by Ibn Majah)
The Holy Prophet’s (SAW) own
condition during the night prayer, which has been described in books of
tradition, is a case in point. When he stood in his night prayer reciting the
Qur’an slowly and thoughtfully, making short pauses in the recitation, holding
a communion with his Lord, he would weep with such intensity of feeling that
his breast would produce a sizzling sound as if it were a kettle on fire in
which something was being cooked.
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