HIS READING OF THE QURAN

The Quran was not revealed for the sole purpose of being read. It is rather a book of life. It was applied to life in the person and practice of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) whose morality at the same time consisted of the Quran. He abided by what the Quran commanded and abstained from what it prohibited.

Having a beautiful voice, Prophet Muhammad always read the Quran and he was always the first person to implement the orders. He read the Quran in many forms and recommended that it be read in similar ways. One of these methods was the tartil which referred to reading with pauses in contemplation. Umm Salama explains that Prophet Muhammad’s ways of reading the Quran was in line with this method: “His reading was clear, conspicuous as he emphasized each letter.” This sort of reading should actually be preferred. Even those people who do not understand the meaning of the Quran should read it in this manner. In comparison to a faster pace, it has more impact on the heart for it necessitates more respect towards the Quran.

It is more satisfactory to read the Quran with a beautiful voice. As a matter of fact, Abdullah ibn Mughaffal said: “I heard Prophet Muhammad read Surat al-Fath in a soft tone with tarji while on his camel.” Tarji is the act of revolving the sounds in the throat as in the readings of those applying a certain melody. This is an exquisite way of reading. In this context, Prophet Muhammad commanded; “Adorn the Holy Quran with your voice.”

Another method of reading the Quran is accomplished in a pensive mode and by listening. Prophet Muhammad also read it in a pensive mode and also listened to it as such. Abdullah ibn Mas’ud narrated: “Prophet Muhammad said to me; ‘Read the Quran, I will listen’. I replied; ‘How can this be possible? The Quran is imparted unto you; how shall I read it to you?’ He replied; ‘Yes’. Thus, I read Surat Al-Nisa. I read it until I came to ‘fakayfa iza ji'na min kulli ummatin...’ Then he said ‘enough’. What I saw was tears coming down from his eyes.”

Prophet Muhammad read the Quran silently at times and audibly at others. Aisha reports that he read the Quran both silently and audibly.

Prophet Muhammad read a part from the Quran every other day and did not choose to read it from cover to cover all at once.

The purpose of reading the Quran is not only keeping a beautiful rhythmic melody. In one of his hadith, Prophet Muhammad has commanded: “Read the Quran as long as you are abstained from the evil, if you are not abstained from the evil, you are not deemed to have read the Quran.” The actual objective being the application of the Quran in real life is further strengthened by the following hadith; “Those who accept the practices forbidden by the Quran as permissible do not have faith in the Quran.”