The Obligations Muslims Owe to the
Qur’an
During the last decade (i.e., the sixties), international qir’aat competitions
have become
a
regular
feature
in the
Muslim
World. These competitions, in which well-known qura’ from different countries have been participating
to display
their
remarkable talents for the recitation of the
Qur’an,
have served a number
of
purposes. The large
audiences who
have
been listening spell-bound to the
recitations
of
the
world-famous qura’ have always been moved by the unique melody,
eloquence, and grandeur of the Qur’anic diction. This may
have, temporarily, strengthened their belief in the Divine origin of the
Qur’an. Moreover, these competitions have popularized
tajweed
(i.e., the art of reciting
the
Qur’an with correct pronunciation) in
Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan. The Muslim children in these
countries today can recite
the Holy Book
with much
better accent and intonation than they could possibly do a few years ago.
Without intending to minimize the importance
of reciting the Qur’an correctly, one might ask the question: Have these competitions helped bridge the gulf that yawns between us and the Qur’an today? Or, have they established a real contact
between us and the book of
Allah (SWT)?
The answer to these questions is: “No.”
Unfortunately, the great objective of establishing a real contact between us and the Qur’an has not been achieved even
by the different religious seminars and symposia which have
been held in our country
and elsewhere during the recent years. The savants and scholars who
participated in the discussions at
these conferences and colloquia have generally dwelt at such
topics as the greatness of the Qur’an, its beauties and marvels
etc., but no attempt has been made to consider the fundamental
questions: What are our obligations towards the Qur’an? And
how can we discharge these obligations? So far as the glory
and greatness of the Qur’an
is concerned, we believe it is indescribable and
its adequate
comprehension is beyond
the reach of human
mind.
It is
best known to the Lord of the heavens and the earth Whose
word
it
is, or to His
blessed
Messenger (SAW) to
whom it was revealed.
Therefore, instead of making a presumptuous attempt at
describing its unique merits, the most pertinent thing for us to
do is that we should clearly
understand our duties and
responsibilities towards the Qur’an and then
see whether or not we
are conscientiously fulfilling these duties
and
responsibilities. If we find that we are not doing
so,
we should seriously
think
about the line of action we
should
adopt for their fulfillment; and then adopt the line without any
further delay
because our very
salvation
depends on our efforts in
this
direction. Paying pompous compliments to the Qur’an will not
be enough and it cannot be a substitute for actually
discharging our obligations towards the Holy Book.
Now what are these obligations? Or, in other words, what does the Qur’an demand
of us?
The Qur’an makes five demands of every Muslim.
Put in a simple language,
these demands are as follows:
A Muslim is required:
1. to
believe in the Qur’an;
2. to
read it;
3. to
understand it;
4. to
act upon its teachings; and
5. to
convey its message and teachings to others.
We will now ponder over these demands or obligations
in
some depth along with a brief explanation of the terms in which they have been expressed in the Qur’an itself, so that
besides getting a clear idea of his duties towards the Qur’an, the
reader may also become familiar
with
basic Qur’anic
terminology.
The actual
appreciation of the exalted status of Holy Qur’an is beyond the
reach of human intellect
and imagination, so much so
that the Qur’an itself uses a similitude to give
us an approximate idea of its own greatness. Almighty Allah (SWT) says: “Had We
sent
down this Qur’an
on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling
itself and rent asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables
which We put
forward to mankind that they may reflect.” (Al-Hashr 59:21)
