How To Benefit From the Quran

Allaah the Most High says:

"Indeed in this there is a remembrance for those who have a living heart, listen attentively and are awake to taking heed." [Qaaf: 37]

Therefore, if you desire to benefit from the Qur'aan, gather your heart when reciting it, focus your attention to it and focus as if you are the one being directly addressed by it. For indeed it is an address from Allaah via the path of the Messenger sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam.

This is because gaining complete benefit from the Qur'aan is dependent upon the object providing the benefit, the place by which it is to be received, the conditions related to attaining the benefit and the non existence of anything that may hinder the benefit from occurring. Hence the verse contains an explanation of all of these points, with the shortest and clearest of words, and those that best prove the point.

Thus the saying of Allaah: {Indeed in this there is a remembrance} has an inference to what has preceded the verse from the beginning of Soorah Qaaf up to this verse and this is what is causing the benefit.

Whilst the saying of Allaah {who have a living heart} then this refers to the place that receives the benefit and this is the heart that has life and comprehends what Allaah has sent, as Allaah the Most High says:

"Indeed this is only a clear reminder and a Qur'aan so as to warn those who have a living heart." [Yaaseen: 69-70]

And His saying {listen attentively} i.e. who turns his attention to it and listens mindfully to what is being said. This is the condition that is placed so that one can be benefited by it. And His saying {are awake to taking heed.} i.e. that the heart is attentive to it.

Ibn Qutaibah said: "Listen to the book of Allaah whilst your heart and mind is attentive, not neglectful nor distant."

This is an inference to the matter that prevents one from attaining benefit. That is when the heart is distant and unmindful such that it does not understand what is being said, nor comprehend it.

Therefore if the cause of the benefit - the Qur'aan, is found and the place of receiving it - and that is the heart has life - and the condition is fulfilled - and that is listening attentively - and the barriers that would prevent benefit from being attained are avoided - and that is the heart being pre-occupied with something else and it being unmindful of what is said - then one attains the benefit, of being benefited by the Qur'aan. [Refer to al-Fawaa'id by Ibn-ul-Qayyim]

Duas and prayers - How to say your prayers

Before offering prayers or salat, perform ablutions (wadu) to make sure that you have a clean body, make sure that you are in a clean place and that you are wearing clean clothes. Now stand upright on your prayer mat and face in the direction of the Kabah, which is called qiblah.

The following is the way to offer prayers:

1) Make known your intention (niyyah): "I intend to pray 2 (3 or 4) rakahs fard (or sunnah, etc.) of the dawn (fajr), noon (zuhr), afternoon ('asr), sunset (maghrib) or night ('isha) prayer for Allah, facing toward the Kabah."

2) Say "Allahu Akbar," raising your hands to your ears (up to the shoulders for ladies) and place the right hand on the left hand just below the navel or on the lower chest (on the chest for ladies)

3) Now recite:
Subhanaka Allahumma wa bi hamdika wa tabarak'smuka wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk.

A'udhu billahi minash-shaitanir-rajim. Bismillahir-rahmanir-rahim

Allah, all glory and praise belong to You alone, Blessed is Your name and exalted is Your Majesty, there is no god but You!

I seek refuge in Allah from the cursed Satan. In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

4) After this, recite the first chapter of the Qur'an, the surah al-Fatiha;
Allahdu lillahi rabbil-alamin, ar rahmanir-rahim, Maliki yawmiddin, Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nastain. Ihdinassiratal-mustaqim. Siratal-ladhina anamata alayhim, ghayril-maghdhubi alayhim waladhdhalin. Amin.

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Universe. The Compassionate, the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgement. You alone we worship, and to You alone we turn for help. Guide us to the straight path. The path of those whom You have favoured. Not of those who have incurred Your wrath nor of those who have gone astray.

5) Add one of the short surahs of the Qur'an such as surah 112, al-Ikhlas:
Qul huallahu ahad. Allahussamad, lam yalid walam yulud, walam yakullahu kufuwan ahad.

Say: He is Allah, the One and Only, Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begot none, nor was He begotten. And there is none equal to Him.

6) Now say, "Allahu Akbar," bowing down and placing both hands on the knees, (the posture known as ruku) then say three or five times,
"Subhana rabbiyal-adhim."
(Glory be to my Lord, the Most High).

7) Rising now to the standing position, say: "Sami' Allahu liman hamidah." (Allah listens to him who praises Him). In congregational prayers, when the imam says this phrase, the congregation says in responce: "Rabbana lakal hamd." (Our Lord, to You belongs Praise!).

8) Saying "Allahu Akbar," prostrate yourself on the floor, touching your forehead to the ground and with both palms on the ground. In this position, which is called sajda, say silently three or five times: "Subhana rabbiyala'la" (Glory to my Lord, the Most High.
Now rise to the seated position saying, "Allahu Akbar," and then make the second prostration, saying,"Allahu Akbar" and repeat: "Subhana rabbiyal-ala." Get up from this position saying, "Allahu Akbar." This completes one rakah. The second rakah will be performed in the same way, except that steps 1, 2 and 3 will not be repeated.

9) After completion of the second rakah, sit upright and recite:
At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu. Assalamu alaika ayyuhannabiyya wa rahmatullahi wa barkatuhu. Assalamu alaina wa ala ibadillahis-salihin.

Ashhadu an la ilaha illal Lahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu.

Salutation, prayers and good works are all for Allah. Let there be peace, Allah's mercy and blessings on you, O Prophet. Peace be on us and on all Allah's righteous servants. I testify that there is no god by Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger.

If the salat has more than two rakahs, then stand up for the remaining rakah(s) and perform the same way exvept the steps 1,2,3 and 5. Or, if it is a two-rakah prayer, remain seated and recite, the supplication called qunut:

Allahumma salli ala Muhammadin wa ala ali Muhammadin kama sallayta ala Ibrahima wa ala ali Ibrahima innaka hamidum majid.

Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim (Abraham) and his family, for You are the Praiseworthy and the Glorious.

Allahumma barik ala Muhammadin wa ala ali Muhammadin kama barakta ala Ibrahima wa ala ali Ibrahima innaka hamidum majid.

Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim; for You are the Praised, the Magnified.

Allahumma inni zalamtu nafsi zulman kathiran wa la yaghfiudh dhunuba illa anta faghfirli maghfiratan min indika wa rhamni innaka antal ghafurur-rahim.

Allah, I have been unjust to myself, too unjust. No one can grant pardon for my sins except You, so forgive me with Your forgiveness and have mercy on me, for You are the Forgiver, the Merciful.

And now turn your face first to the right, then to the left, saying:

Assalamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Peace and the mercy of Allah be upon you.

This completes the Salah. Now it is the time for personal prayers. You may raise your hands and pray to Allah in your own words. However, here are some prayers for this purpose:

Rabbana atina fiddunia hasanah wa fil-akhirati hasanah wa qina ashabannar.

O our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and save me from the punishment of the Hell-fire.

Allahumma antas salamu wa minkas salamu tabarakata ya dhaljalali wal-ikram.

O Allah, You are the source of peace and from You comes peace, exalted You are, O Lord of Majesty and Honour.

Allahummaghfirli waliwalidaiyya wali jami'il mu'minina walmu'minati wal-muslimina wal-muslimati birahmatika ya arhamurrahimin.

O Allah, forgive me and my parents and all the believing men and women and all Muslim men and women with Your mercy. O Most Merciful of all who have mercy.

Rabbana zalamna anfusana wa illam taghfirlana wa tarhamna lanakunanna minal-khasirin.

Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves and if You do not forgive us and have no mercy on us, surely we will be of the losers.

Read the Qur’aan, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection and intercede for its companions

Translation In English Language

It was narrated that Abu Umaamah al-Baahili (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Read the Qur’aan, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection and intercede for its companions…” Narrated by Muslim, 804.

This hadeeth is indicative of the virtue of reading the Qur’aan, and the great reward that it brings, and tells us that it will intercede for its companions on the Day of Resurrection for them to enter Paradise.

It was narrated that al-Nawaas ibn Sam’aan (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “The Qur’aan will be brought on the Day of Resurrection, with its people – those who used to used to act in accordance with it – preceded by Soorat al-Baqarah and Aal ‘Imraan.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) likened them to three things, which I did not forget afterwards. He (the Prophet) likened them to two clouds or two black canopies with light between them, or like two flocks of birds in ranks pleading for one who recited them.”

Narrated by Muslim, 805.

And it was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Fasting and the Qur’aan will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say, ‘O Lord, I deprived him of food and desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.’ And the Qur’aan will say: ‘I deprived him of sleep during the night, so let me intercede for him.’ So they will both be allowed to intercede.”

Narrated by Ahmad, 6589.

The fasting person should recite Qur’aan a great deal during these blessed days and nights, for reading Qur’aan during Ramadaan is more special than in other months.

He should make the most of his time in the blessed month in which Allaah revealed the Qur’aan.

Reading Qur’aan in the nights of Ramadaan is something special, for the night is free of distractions and it is easier to focus the mind, thus a person can focus on what he is reading and try to understand it. And Allaah is the One Whose help we seek.

It was proven that Jibreel (peace be upon him) used to meet with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) every night in Ramadaan and study the Qur’aan with him. If dhikr were superior to the Qur’aan or equal to it, they would have recited dhikr all the time or some of the time during their frequent meetings. This hadeeth shows us that it is mustahabb to study the Qur’aan in Ramadaan and to gather to do so, and to practise reciting Qur’aan in front of one who has more knowledge of it.

The righteous salaf of this ummah used to recite Qur’aan a great deal during Ramadaan. When they fasted they would sit in the mosques and say, Let us guard our fast and not backbite about anyone. They would recite Qur’aan in prayer and at other times.

‘Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to read the entire Qur’aan once a day.

Some of the salaf used to complete it when praying qiyaam every three nights.

Some of them used to complete it every seven nights, and some every ten.

In Ramadaan al-Shaafa’i used to complete it sixty times at times other than prayer.

Al-Aswad used to read the whole Qur’aan every two nights in Ramadaan.

Qutaadah used to complete the Qur’aan every seven days all the time, and in Ramadaan every three days, and in the last ten days every night.

These reports about the salaf are well known.

Al-Haafiz Ibn Rajab (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: It was narrated that it is not allowed to read the Qur’aan in less than three days as a habit, but in times of virtue, such as the month of Ramadaan – especially during the nights in which Laylat al-Qadr is sought, or in places of virtue such as Makkah for non-residents who go there, it is mustahabb to read Qur’aan a great deal, seeking to make the most of the virtue of that time or place. This is the view of Ahmad, Ishaaq and other imams, and this is indicated by the actions of others as stated above.

The one who reads Qur’aan must observe the proper etiquette, including having a sincere intention towards Allaah.

He should read in a state of purity (i.e., with wudoo’)

He should use miswaak.

He should think about what he is reading and not rush, rather he should read at a measured pace, and focus on the meanings, because this helps the reader to pronounce the letters correctly and ponder the meanings, and focus with proper humility. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“(This is) a Book (the Qur’aan) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember”

[Saad 38:29]

The etiquette of reading includes not breaking off to speak to anyone. Many people sit to read with others next to them, and they often break off to speak to their neighbour. This is not appropriate because it is turning away from reading unnecessarily.

The one who is reading should act in accordance with the Qur’aan, regard as halaal that which it permits and as haraam that which it forbids, so that the Qur’aan will testify for him on the Day of Resurrection and will intercede for him to enter Paradise.

And Allaah knows best.