Basics of Religious Education — Page 37
B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION 37 37 37 37 37 Physical and spiritual purification This is the first verse of every chapter of the Holy Qur’an, except the 9th Chapter, At-Taubah , which is not an independent Chapter, but a continuation of the Chapter, Al-Anfaal. There is a saying, reported by Ibn` Abbas, to the effect that whenever a new Chapter was revealed, Bismillaah was the first verse to be revealed, and without Bismillaah the Holy Prophet did not know that a new Chapter had begun (Abu Dawood). Even when we recite from the middle of a Chapter, we should say, Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem. In a majestic declaration about the Qur'an, Allah says: That this is indeed a noble Qur'an; In a well preserved book; Which none shall touch except those who are purified. (56:78-80) We should be physically clean and, preferably, perform Wudu before its recitation. Also, to fully absorb the blessings of the Qur'an and to understand its real meanings, one should be spiritually pure, clean and sincere in one's beliefs. Exhorting believers in 73:21, Allah advises: (partial verse) Recite, then, as much of the Qur'an as is easy for you. We may read the Holy Qur’an at any convenient time. The best time is dawn, after Fajr prayers. In 17:79, Allah says: (partial verse) Verily, the recitation of the Qur'an at dawn is specially acceptable to God. On the subject of listening to the Holy Qur’an, Allah says: Recite as much as is easy Time of Recitation 2. 2 2. 2 2. 2 2. 2 2. 2 A A A A A LLAH LLAH LLAH LLAH LLAH AND AND AND AND AND THE THE THE THE THE H H H H H OL OL OL OL OLY Y Y Y Y Q Q Q Q Q UR UR UR UR UR ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ AN AN AN AN AN — T — T — T — T — T HE HE HE HE HE H H H H H OL OL OL OL OLY Y Y Y Y Q Q Q Q Q UR UR UR UR UR ’ ’ ’ ’ ’ AN AN AN AN AN & & & & & ITS ITS ITS ITS ITS E E E E E TIQUETTE TIQUETTE TIQUETTE TIQUETTE TIQUETTE Listen to the recitation silently and with devotion