Virtues of the Quran

“The best of you is he who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.”

[al-Bukhari]

“Will not any of you go to the masjid and learn or read two verses from the Book of Allah `azza wa jall? (For) that is better for him than two she-camels, and three (verses) are better for him than three (she-camels), and four (verses) are better for him than four (she-camels). And the number (of verses read in total) are better than the same number of camels.”

[Muslim]

“There is no envy (acceptable) except in two (cases): a person whom Allah has given the Qur’an and recites it throughout the night and throughout the day. And a person whom Allah has given wealth, that he gives out throughout the night and throghout the day.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

“Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a hasanah (good deed) from it (i.e. his recitation), and the hasanah is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is (considered as) a letter, rather Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter, and Meem is a letter.”

[At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darimi]

“He who is skillful in reciting the Qur’an is with the unveiled, honorable, and pious (i.e. Hur al `Ain). And he who stutters when reading the Qur’an, (and its recitation) is difficult upon him, will receive two rewards.”

[Al-Bukhari]

“Verily he who has nothing of the Qur’an in his heart, is like a house (which has been) destroyed.”

[At-Tirmidhi]

“Read the Qur’an. For verily it will come forth on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor for its readers.”

[Muslim]

“The Qur’an is an intercessor (which by Allah’s permission) intercedes, and an opponent (which is) truthful. He who appoints it as his leader, (then it) will lead him to Paradise. And he who puts it behind him, (then it) will lead him to the Fire.”

[Ibn Hibban, Al-Bayhaqi, At-Tabarani, Sahih]

“Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for the slave on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say: ‘O My Rabb! I prevented him from food and desires, so accept my intercession for him.’ And the Qur’an will say: ‘I prevented him from sleep during the night, so accept my intercession for him.’ He (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘And they will (be allowed to) intercede.’”

[Ahmad, at-Tabarani, Al-Hakim, Sahih]

“Maintain learning the Qur’an, by heart for verily it is greater in escaping from the chests of men than camels from their reins.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

“Verily Allah raises nations by this book (the Qur’an) and puts down (i.e. destroys) others by it.”

[Muslim]

Hajj: Background Info.

Conditions of Hajj

The Timings and placings of Hajj

Prohibited Acts in the State of Ihram

Types of Hajj

Not because of us

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island. The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agreed that they had no other recourse but to pray to God.

However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.

The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man’s parcel of land remained barren.

After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the island, there was nothing.

Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food.The next day,like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island.

He considered the other man unworthy to receive God’s blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.

As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming, “Why are you leaving your companion on the island?”“My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered. “His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything.”

“You are mistaken!” the voice rebuked him. “He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of My blessings.”
“Tell me,” the first man asked the voice, “What did he pray for that I should owe him anything?”

“He prayed that all your prayers be answered.”
For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us.

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Ever wondered how many of us take things for granted....just assuming our prayers are answered, when we may be the most selfish of people????

If we all became a little more mindful and selfless in our dua'a, prayed for others, prayed wholeheartedly and with content, sabr and sheer gratitude...would that not be more beneficial for us than merely asking of Allah to drown us with material possessions we will leave behind, or complaining to Allah to show our lack of patience and integrity.... lets be content once in a while and reflect how blessed we really are... reporting for duty...when we stand for salah, not to give Allah instructions, when HE alone is the best of all planners and He alone is the Creator of all things in the heavens and the earth.

May Allah make us all less selfish.

Ameen