So when you want to recite the Quran, seek refuge with Allah

Muhammad Fayi` `Usayry

The Glorious Qur'an is the message of Allah to mankind through which we can discover the facts of this world and know the past, the present, and the future of this universe. Through this divine message which Allah sent to us we can ******* all our conceptions and the phenomena which we watch no matter what these phenomena are.

In order to benefit from this Divine Message well, Allah (Exalted be He) guided us in His Glorious Book to many methods and processes by which we can benefit from this blessed and glorious book if we apply whether these benefits were at the individual, group, social, or the national level. Of the most prominent of these processes and methods are: Pondering over the Glorious Qur'an, Basmalah (saying, "Bismillah Al-Rahman, Al-Rahim [In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful]"), Isti`adhah (Seeking refuge with Allah), Tajweed (mastering the recitation of the Qur'an), Tafsir (interpretations of the Qur'an), recitation, reciting the Qur'an in Salah, using the Qur'an in preaching, bounding the Qur'an with historical and modern events and incidents, searching in its secrets and miracles, spreading its stories, teaching its rulings, and calling to the great truth which most people missed which is dedicating actions and obedience to Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted).

Of the correct methods of dealing with the Qur'an to gain its great benefit is Isti`adhah by saying: "I seek refuge in Allah against the cursed Satan" or "I seek refuge in Allah, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing from the accursed satan, from his evil suggestion (hamz), from his puffing up (nafkh), and from his spitting (nafth)." Or saying: "I seek refuge in Allah, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing from accursed Satan." All these are forms to seek refuge in Allah against that corrupting evil who prevents a reciter from benefiting from the Qur'an, understanding life, and developing with life. Seeking refuge is done before recitation so that the heart would be ready to receive the truth and understand the dimensions of Ayahs to reach a correct understanding of life.

Seek refuge with Allah, recite the Qur'an, and know that the book in your hand is the guide and the global project for the happiness of mankind. Let it be known also that many people whether politicians, scientists, writers, media men, and others have missed these benefits. Recite the Qur'an and be sure that the Glorious Qur'an is very dear and generous and whenever you give, it will give you and whenever you come closer to it, it will come closer to you; and no one will be wretched after this guide except those who are destined to be wretched.

Lessons taken from Allah’s Saying: "And were it not that mankind would have become one community (all disbelievers desiring worldly life only)...

Dr. Amin ibn `Abdullah Al Shaqawy
Praise be to Allah and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone Who has no partner. I also bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger.

Sheikh `Abdur-Rahman ibn Sa`dy (May Allah bestow mercy upon his soul) said:
Allah (Exalted be He) tells the people that the world is not worthy anything to Him. Had it been because of His Kindness and Mercy towards His Servant —which nothing can precede it—, He would have given those who disbelieved whatever they liked of the worldly pleasures and would have made the ceilings of their homes of silver. He would have made Ma`arij for them.

(stairs of silver) on which they ascend (to their roofs). Their houses would have had doors and beds on which they recline (made of silver). He would also have made for them decoration And would have decorated the world for them with all kinds of decoration, but He did not make that out of His Mercy with His Servants because if He had done that, they would have hasted to disbelief and sins because of their love to the world.

This is a proof that the servants may be prevented, generally or limitedly, from some worldly matters for their best interest. Indeed, the world does not weigh a wing of a mosquito in the sight of Allah and all the mentioned things which are considered to be from the pleasures of this world are just unpleasant and transient. Certainly, the Hereafter is better for the pious ones by the side of their Lord because they have obeyed His Commands and avoided His Prohibitions; because the bliss of the Hereafter is everlasting and complete in every way. Paradise has all things that souls desire and the delight of the eyes and they will live there forever. So, how different the two abodes are!"[1]

These noble Ayahs contain many benefits, of which:
- The worldly blessings which Allah gives to the infidels are because the world is so mean to Him and to make the world as affliction and trial for people; as Allah says: “On the Day when those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allâh — Islâmic Monotheism) will be exposed to the Fire (it will be said): “You received your good things in the life of the world, and you took your pleasure therein. Now this Day you shall be recompensed with a torment of humiliation, because you were arrogant in the land without a right, and because you used to rebel against Allah’s Command (disobey Allâh).” [Surat Al Ahqaf: 20].

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Verily, Allah does not treat a believer unjustly in regard to his virtues. He would confer upon him (His blessing) in this world and would give him reward in the Hereafter. And as regards a non-believer. he would be made to taste the reward (of virtue in this world) what as has done for himself so much that when it would be the Hereafter. He would find no virtue for which he should be rewarded". [2]

[1] Tafsir As-Sa`dy (P. 765)

[2] Sahih Muslim (2162\4 No. 2808)