Some Benefits of Reading the Quran

1 - Reading and reflecting over the Qur’an fulfils an Islamic duty.
Indeed the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) summarised this Religion with his statement: “The Religion is naseehah (sincerity)!” So then Tameem ibn Aws, may Allah be pleased with him, then said, “We asked, ‘To whom?’” He said: “To Allah, HIS BOOK, His Messenger, the leaders of the people, and their common folk.” [Muslim] The sincerity that is due to the Book of Allah includes its regular recitation, learning the rules of tajweed and reciting it beautifully, learning about its tafseer and the reasons for its revelation, affirming that it is the Truth, the perfect Speech of Allah and not part of the creation, honoring it and defending it, abiding by the orders and prohibitions found in it, teaching it and calling to it. [See Jaami’ul-’Uloom wal-Hikam of Ibn Rajab Al-Hambalee] So by reading and reflecting over the Qur’an, one fulfills an obligation and is rewarded for that. Upon fulfilling this obligation, the Qur’an then becomes a proof for him on the Day of Judgment! And that is our second benefit we will take by embracing this Noble Book...
2 - The Qur’an will be a proof for us on the Day of Judgment.
This is due to the statement of the Messenger: “And the Qur’an is a proof for you or against you.” [Muslim] So one of two things will occur with this proof, the Book of Allah. It will either be in your favor, a proof for you on the Day when you will need every single good deed, or it will be something standing against you, the very Speech of your Creator, a proof against you! Who could be saved from the terrors of that Day if Allah’s own Speech is against him?!?! Think carefully, dear Muslim brother or sister, about your position with the Qur’an! Are you neglecting it, contradicting it, being heedless of its orders and prohibitions, are you thinking deeply over it?! Will it be on your side on the Day of Judgment.?! O Allah! We ask you, by Your Glorious Speech and the rest of your beautiful Names and Attributes, to make the Qur’an a proof for us! O Allah! Don’t make the Qur’an a proof against us on that Day, and save us from the hellfire! For if Allah makes the Qur’an a proof in our favour on that Day, then it would also be an intercessor for us, when NO intercession will take place except by His Permission.
3 - The Qur’an will intercede for us on the Day of Judgment.
The proof: Aboo Umaamah relates that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Read the Qur’an, for verily it will come on the Day of Standing as an intercessor for its companions.” [Muslim]
4 - Your status in this life will be raised.
In Saheeh Muslim, we find a lovely story, about how a man from the people of Jannah, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, understood this principle. Some men came to question him during his khilaafah about the leadership of Makkah, they asked, “Who do you use to govern Makkah?” He said, “Ibn Abzaa.” They asked, “And who is Ibn Abzaa?” Umar replied, “A freed slave from those we freed.” They remarked, “You left a freed slave in charge of the people of the Valley (the noble tribes of the Quraysh)!?!?” So he answered them, “Verily he is a reader of the Book of Allah and is knowledgeable about the obligations of the Muslims. Haven’t you heard the statement of your Messenger: “Verily Allah raises some people by this Book and lowers others by it.”
5 - You will be from the best of the people.
‘Uthmaan, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “The best of you are the ones who learn the Qur’an and teach it to others” [Al-Bukhari]
6 - There are ten rewards for each letter you recite from the Qur’an.
As an authentic hadith in At-Tirmithee proves: “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.” So increase your recitation of the Qur’an to gain these merits, and to gain the following merit as well.
7 - The reciters of the Qur’an will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels.
‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, relates that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Verily the one who recites the Qur’an beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have TWICE that reward.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
So dear brother or sister Muslim, do not let the Shaytaan give you false excuses, such as “I am not an ‘Arab,” or “Its not my language.” This hadith is a firm proof against these whisperings. Dedicate yourself to the Book of Allah, whether you are an ‘Arab or not! The excuses have been eliminated and the pathway has been cleared for you to embrace the Book of Allah without holding back or offering excuses! And surely you will not hesitate to seek a teacher or a study circle for the Qur’an once you hear the last and perhaps greatest benefits of reading and contemplating over the Qur’an...
8 - Your position in Paradise is determined by the amount of Qur’an you memorize in this life!
‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-’Aas heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’an: Read and elevate (through the levels of the Paradise) and beautify your voice as you used to do when you were in the dunyaa! For verily, your position in the Paradise will be at the last verse you recite!” [Aboo Daawood and At-Tirmithee, saheeh]
9 - The Qur’an will lead you to Paradise!
The Prophet said: “The Qur’an is an intercessor, something given permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise; whoever puts it behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire.” [An authentic hadith found in At-Tabaraanee, on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood]
Know, dear brother or sister, that these nine benefits from the many benefits available can only be attained by a sincere commitment to the Book of Allah, not by a person’s mere statement, “I love the Qur’an, it’s beautiful.” Rather the heart must be sincerely attached to Allah’s Book and the limbs and tongue will follow in this attachment. You must know that we only mentioned a few of the numerous benefits of reading and reflecting over the Qur’an. There are many benefits that await your reading in the Qur’an and books of hadith, like the chapter of the Qur’an that will argue on your behalf in the grave, and that it is a physical healing, a source of rest and relaxation for your heart, among many other things. And Allah knows best. 

-www.themodernreligion.com
-H.

Who is a Mutaqi? Who are the Mutaqeen?

The word "Mutaqeen" labels the people who are the true believers. The "God-Fearing" ones. The ones who guard themselves from all evils. The ones who are constant in their duty and are careful and watch their actions. Those who think before they act. They are the ones who keep their promises, who give their wealth for the sake of Allah and those who are patient in their times of misfortune.

There are many qualities that a Mutaqi has. Some are of the following:
- those who spend ion the cause of Allah (swt) suring their times of ease and hardship
- those who refrain from anger
- those who do good in the world and try to make a change for the benefit
- thoses who seek forgiveness immediately after they acknowledge they have dome something wrong
- those who fear Allah (swt) 's punishment
- those who believe in the ghayb
- those who abandon what is harmless out of the fear of falling into that which is harmful.

May Allah Ta'ala bless us and grant us with these qualityies and make us among those who are classified as the "Mutaqeen"
May He make us God-Fearing and help us develop Taqwa into our minds, hearts and souls.
I say this to myself before I advise others. May He all grant us Jannah. Ameen

-H.

Huruful Mu'qataat

The word Muqatta'at is derived from the root 'qata'a meaning to cut. It also applies to that which is cut and/or abbreviated. It is believed that the meaning and purpose of the Muqatta'at is not known and that Allah alone knows their real meaning. Although many scholars have theories about the explanations of these letters, it is better left untouched, as Allah knows best. (Allahu Aalim)
There are 14 Huruf, in 14 different combinations:

Muqatta'at	Surahs
Alif Lam Ra	10,11,12,14,15.
Alif Lam Mim	2,3,29,30,31,32.
Alif Lam Mim Ra	13
Alif Lam Mim Sad	7
Ha Mim	40,41,43,44,45,46
Sad	38
Ta Sin	27
Ta Sin Mim	26,28
Ta Ha	20
Qaf	50
Kaf ha Ya Ain Sad	19
Nun	68
Ya Sin	36
Ha Mim Ain Sin Qaf	42

Source: http://www.netnavigate.com/hasan/studyquran/ch13.html

~A.A.

Yearning for Allah

Day 3 - Surah Al Baqara Verses 1 & 2

FaQR Mar 28 2013-Fajr Quran Reminder

Presence: A.U.A.H

Absence: no regrets

Opening Dua & morning Dua

Dua to be recited in the morning

أَصْبَـحْـنا وَأَصْبَـحْ المُـلكُ للهِ رَبِّ العـالَمـين ، اللّهُـمَّ إِنِّـي أسْـأَلُـكَ خَـيْرَ هـذا الـيَوْم ، فَـتْحَهُ ، وَنَصْـرَهُ ، وَنـورَهُ وَبَـرَكَتَـهُ ، وَهُـداهُ ، وَأَعـوذُ بِـكَ مِـنْ شَـرِّ ما فـيهِ وَشَـرِّ ما بَعْـدَه

The morning has come to me and the whole universe belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, O Allah, I ask of you the good of the day, it's success and aid and it's nur (celestial light) and barakaat (blessings) and seek hidayah (guidance) and seek refuge from the evil in it (this day) and from the evil of that which is to come later.

Innalhamda lillahee, nahmaduhu wa nasta'eenuhu wa nastaghfiruhu, wa na'oodhu billaahi min shuroori anfusinaa wa min sayyiaati a'maalinaa. Mainyah dihillaahu falaa mudillilahu, wa mainyudlil falaa haadiya lah. 

"Alhumdulillah. Indeed, all praise is due to Allah. We praise Him and seek His Help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from evils and our wrong doings. He whom Allah guides, no one can misguide; and he whom He misguides, no one can guide." 

(Ibn Mas'ud and Ibn 'Abbas in Muslim, Abu Dawud, an-Nasai and others) 

Wa ashhadu anlaa ilaaha illalaahu, wahdahu laashareeka lahu, wa ash hadu anna muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluh.

"I bear witness that there is no god except Allah- alone without any partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His 'abd (servant) and Messenger."

Allahumma salli 'alaa muhammadinwa 'alaa aali muhammadinwa 'alaa aali muhammadin kamaa sallayta 'alaa aali ibraaheema innaka hameedumajeed. Allahumma baarik 'alaa muhammadinwa 'alaa aali muhammadin kamaa baarakta 'alaa aali ibraaheema wa 'alaa aali ibraheema innaka hameedum majeed.

"O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad, just as You sent prayers upon Ibraheem and upon the followers of Ibraheem. Verily you are full of praise and majesty. O Allaah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, just as You sent blessings upon Ibraheem and upon the family of Ibraheem. Verily, You are full of praise and majesty." ( Al-Bukhari with Al-Fath)

Makki,286 ayahs and 40 rukuz

Recitation of Surah Baqara

2:1

to top

Transliteration

Alif-lam-meem

Sahih International

Alif, Lam, Meem.

Muhsin Khan

Alif-Lam-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings].

Pickthall

Alif. Lam. Mim.

Yusuf Ali

A.L.M.

Shakir

Alif Lam Mim.

Dr. Ghali

Alif, Lam, Mim. (These are the names of three letters from the Arabic alphabet, probably indicating that this inimitable Revelation, the Qur'an, is made of this Arabic alphabet. Only Allah Knows their meaning here).

2:2

to top

Transliteration

Thalika alkitabu larayba feehi hudan lilmuttaqeen

Sahih International

This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah -

Muhsin Khan

This is the Book (the Quran), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun [the pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)].

Pickthall

This is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off (evil).

Yusuf Ali

This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah;

Shakir

This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who guard (against evil).

Dr. Ghali

That is the Book, there is no suspicion about it, a guidance to the pious.

·         Name is  because of one story in the Surah it’s not title to indicate the subject verse 67-93

·         Many more Surahs of the Quran have been named in the same way because no comprehensive words exist in Arabic (in spite of its richness) to denote the wide scope of the subject discussed in them. As a matter of fact all human languages suffer from the same limitation.

·         In sequence its madni it follows the naturally makki surah al fatiha which ended “show us the straight way” , it begins with anser to that prayer “this is the book (that) is guidance…”

·         Mostly revealed in first 2 years of Nabi e Akram Muhammad SAWW but have inserted in this surah b/c content closely related

·         Smaller parts revealed in the later years of Nabi SAWW

·         Historically, in Makkah Quran generally addressed Mushrik Quraish, b/c of ignorance to Islam but in Al Madinah , the Jews aquainted with creed of the unity of Allah , prophethood, revelation, the hereafter, and angels, they also professed to abide by the law of Allah which was revealed to Prophet musa AH

·        , and in principle, their way was the same (Islam) that was being taught by Prophet Muhammad (Allah's peace be upon him). But they had strayed away from it during the centuries of degeneration and had adopted many un-Islamic creeds, rites and customs of which there was no mention and for which there was no sanction in the Torah. Not only this : they had tampered with the Torah by inserting their own explanations and interpretations into its text. They had distorted even that part of the Word of God which had remained intact in their Scriptures and taken out of it the real spirit of true religion and were now clinging to a lifeless frame of rituals. Consequently their beliefs, their morals and their conduct had gone to the lowest depths of degeneration. The pity is that they were not only satisfied with their condition but loved to cling to it. Besides this, they had no intention or inclination to accept any kind of reform. So they became bitter enemies of those who came to teach them the Right Way and did their worst to defeat every such effort. Though they were originally Muslims, they had swerved from the real Islam and made innovations and alterations in it and had fallen victims to hair splitting and sectarianism. They had forgotten and forsaken Allah and begun to serve mammon. So much so that they had even given up their original name "Muslim" and adopted the name "Jew" instead, and made religion the sole monopoly of the children of Israel.

This was their religious condition when the Holy Prophet went to Al-Madinah and invited the Jews to the true religion. That is why more than one third of this Surah has been addressed to the children of Israel. A critical review of their history, their moral degeneration and their religious perversions has been made; side by side with this the high standard of morality and the fundamental principles of the pure religion have been put forward in order to bring out clearly the nature of the degeneration of the community of a prophet when it goes astray and to draw clear lines of demarcation between real piety and formalism, and the essentials and non-essentials of the true religion.

·        At Makkah Islam was mainly concerned with the propagation of its fundamental principles and the moral training of its followers. But after the migration of the Holy Prophet to Al-Madinah, where Muslims had come to settle from all over Arabia and where a tiny Islamic State had been set up with the help of the Ansar (local supporters), naturally the Quran had to turn its attention to the social, cultural, economic, political and legal problems as well. This accounts for the difference between the themes of the surahs revealed at Makkah and those at Al-Madinah. Accordingly about half of this Surah deals with those principles and regulations which are essential for the integration and solidarity of a community and for the solution of its problems.

·          

Closing Du'a

Subhaana rabbika rabbil'izzati 'ammaa yasifoon. Wasalaamul 'alal mursaleen. Walhamdu lillaahi rabbil 'aalameen.

"Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Might above what they describe. And peace be upon those sent. And praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds." (Surah As-Saffat 37:180-182) 

Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, ash hadu anlaa ilaaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atoobu ilaik.

"How perfect You are O Allaah, and I praise You. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance" 

(Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhee, Ibn Majah).

JAzakillahu Khairan for attendance May Allah SWT add Baraka and grant us consistency and May We overcome any obstacles Ameen

Start and End  6:06-6:32

Resouces http://sistershalaqa.blogspot.ca/2008/06/opening-closing-dua.html

http://www.searchtruth.com/tafsir/tafsir.php?chapter=1

http://quran.com/2

http://understandquran.com/resources/free-online-quran-word-by-word.html#!#/quran-wordbyword/2

Kanzul Imaan English Translation

Practical implications:

When we love someone in our life, we really want to please them and keep them happy with us, so they can love us back too, Similarly but in a more Humbling and Servant sort of way, Allah SWT is our Creator He loves us like 70x more than our Mom so We should Love him too, as it is only benefit to us, He is Free from any need only We need Him SWT, and When we reach such a beautiful pious state of Imaan and Taqwa to Love , we would want to please him consequencely InshAllah Ta'ala May Allah SWT grant us to be of The Muttaqoon Ameen

For Tomorrow InshAllah

Recitation A. Jr.

Morning dua and opening dua  U

Muttaqun Definition H

Surah Baqarah A Sr.

Aslamo Alaikum

Day 2 - Virtues of Surah Faithah

FaQR Mar 27 2013

Fajr Quran Reminder

Presence: A.U.A.H.

Absence: no regrets

Opening Dua (MORNING DUA)

Innalhamda lillahee, nahmaduhu wa nasta'eenuhu wa nastaghfiruhu, wa na'oodhu billaahi min shuroori anfusinaa wa min sayyiaati a'maalinaa. Mainyah dihillaahu falaa mudillilahu, wa mainyudlil falaa haadiya lah. 

"Alhumdulillah. Indeed, all praise is due to Allah. We praise Him and seek His Help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from evils and our wrong doings. He whom Allah guides, no one can misguide; and he whom He misguides, no one can guide." 

(Ibn Mas'ud and Ibn 'Abbas in Muslim, Abu Dawud, an-Nasai and others) 

Wa ashhadu anlaa ilaaha illalaahu, wahdahu laashareeka lahu, wa ash hadu anna muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluh.

"I bear witness that there is no god except Allah- alone without any partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His 'abd (servant) and Messenger."

Allahumma salli 'alaa muhammadinwa 'alaa aali muhammadinwa 'alaa aali muhammadin kamaa sallayta 'alaa aali ibraaheema innaka hameedumajeed. Allahumma baarik 'alaa muhammadinwa 'alaa aali muhammadin kamaa baarakta 'alaa aali ibraaheema wa 'alaa aali ibraheema innaka hameedum majeed.

Virtues of Surah Fatihah

Summary:    - It is exclusive to the Ummah of RasulAllah (saw)
              - The mother of the Quran
              - It is a cure for every disease (physical and spiritual)
              - Allah called it the seven oft-repeated verses in the Quran
              - Safeguards against calamaties (museebat)
              - Prayer of GUIDANCE (its answer is the rest of the Quran from
                 Alif-laam-meem to Wan-naas)
               - It is a Conversation between Allah and His servant

                  (see: http://hadithqudsi.sacredhadith.com/hadith-qudsi-8/)
             

·         Ibn 'Abbas said, "While Jibril (alayhis salam) was sitting with the Prophet, he heard a sound above him and raised his head. He said, 'This is a door of heaven which has been opened today and which has never been opened before today. An angel descended from it.' He said, 'This is an angel who has descended to earth who has never descended before today.' He gave the greeting and said, 'Give the good news of two lights which you have been given and which no Prophet before you was given: the Fatiha of the Book and the end of Surah al-Baqarah (2). You will not recite a letter of them without being given it.'" [Muslim, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi]

·         Abu Sulaiman says that once a group of Companions were in an expedition (ghazwa) when they happened to come across an epileptic person, who was unconscious. One of the Companions recited Surah Al-Fatiha and blew in his ear. The epileptic person immediately cured. When Sayyidana Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was informed of this, he said: “It (Surah Al-Fatiha) is “The Mother of the Qur'an” (Umm al-Qur'an) and is a cure for every disease.” [This narration has been recorded by Ath-Thua’lbi from Abu Sulaiman, who narrated it from Muawiya bin Saleh (radhi Allah anhu), Tafseer Mazhari 1:31]

·         Sa’ib (radhi Allah anhu) bin Yazeed says that Rasulullah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) recited Surah Al-Fatihah and blew it on me. To safeguard me against calamities, Rasulullah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) recited this Surah and put his blessed saliva in my mouth.
[At-Tabraani narrated this tradition in 'Al-Awsat', Tafseer Mazhari 1:31]

·         Anas (radhi Allah anhu) said: “When you recite Surah Al-Fatihah and Surah Al-Ikhlas upon lying on your bed, you will be safeguarded and should become fearless of every thing except death.”[Narrated by Baraa', Tafseer Mazhari 1:31]

·         The Prophet said, 'The mother of the Qur'an are the seven oft repeated verses'
[Bukhari 4704]

·         It is narrated from Jabir (radhi Allah anhu) that Rasulullah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: “O Jabir, shall I inform you about the best Surah revealed in the Qur'an?” Jabir said: “O Messenger of Allah, please inform me.” Rasulullah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: “It is Fatiha tul Kitab.” Jabir adds: “And I think that Rasulullah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said that Al-Fatiha is a cure for every diseases.” Jabir is also reported to have said: “Fatiha tul Kitab is a medicine for every disease except death.”[Recorded by Al-Khal’i in his Fawa’id, Tafseer Mazhari 1:30]

·         The Prophet said, 'In the Fatiha of the Qur'an, there is a cure for all maladies(illnesses)' [Darimi 3236, also narrated by Ad-Darmi in his Al-Masnad and Al-Bayhaqi in Shu’bul Imaan, Tafseer Mazhari 1:30]

·         Surah Al-Fatihah is equivalent to two thirds of the Qur'an[Al-Bayhaqi and Al-Haakim, Tafseer Mazhari 1:31]

Closing Du'a

Subhaana rabbika rabbil'izzati 'ammaa yasifoon. Wasalaamul 'alal mursaleen. Walhamdu lillaahi rabbil 'aalameen.

"Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Might above what they describe. And peace be upon those sent. And praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds." (Surah As-Saffat 37:180-182) 

Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika, ash hadu anlaa ilaaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atoobu ilaik.

"How perfect You are O Allaah, and I praise You. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance" 

(Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhee, Ibn Majah).

JAzakillahu Khairan for attendance May Allah SWT add Baraka and grant us consistency and May We overcome any obstacles Ameen

Aslamo Alaikum