727. Memorizing The Quran

By Asma Bint Shameem

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam did not “order” us to memorize the Qur’aan but he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam *”encouraged”* us to do so. 

Memorizing the Qur’aan is an honor and a privilege that comes only from Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. 

A person who memorizes the Qur’aan has *tremendous* rewards in this dunya and Aakhirah. 

But the condition to receive this honor and reward is *sincerity* to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala and the intention to please Him, then to put into *practice* what he learnt of the Qur’aan. 

In Jannah, the haafidh will keep rising in status until his status is as *high*, as the last aayah he memorized. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“It will be said to the companion of the Qur’aan (i.e., the one who memorized and studied it): ‘Read, advance in status and recite as you used to do in the world, for your status will be commensurate with the last aayah that you recite.’”

(Abu Dawood 1464, al-Tirmidhi, 2914; hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi 2329)

The scholars said that the meaning of the word “reciting” used in the hadeeth means “*memorizing*”.

 The haafidh will be in the company of angels.

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“The one who recites the Qur’aan and learns it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Jannah) and the one who exerts himself to learn the Qur’aan by heart and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward.”

 (al-Bukhaari 4653, Muslim 798) 

He will be given a crown of honor and a garment of honor to wear. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“The Qur’aan will come on the Day of Resurrection and will say, ‘O Lord, adorn him.’ 

So he will be given a crown of honor to wear. 

Then it will say, ‘O Lord, give him more.’ 

So he will be given a garment of honor.’ 

Then it will say, ‘O Lord, be pleased with him.’ 

So Allaah will be pleased with him. 

Then it will be said to him, ‘Recite and advance in status, and for each verse you will gain one more hasanah (reward for good deed).”

(al-Tirmidhi 2915; hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 2328)

 The Qur’aan will intercede on his behalf with Allaah. 

Abu Umaamah al-Baahili Radhi Allaahu anhu said: 

“I heard the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam say, ‘Recite the Qur’aan, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection to intercede for its companions. Recite the two bright ones, al-Baqarah and Soorat Aal ‘Imraan, for they will come on the Day of Resurrection like two clouds or two shades or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Soorat al-Baqarah for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it.”

 (Muslim, 804)

Not just the haafidh himself, but even his *parents* will be honored because they worked hard to teach him the Qur’aan and raise him up with an Islaamic upbringing. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“The Qur’aan will come on the Day of Resurrection like a pale man saying to its companion, “Do you recognize me? 

I am the one who made you stay up at night and made you thirsty during the day…” 

Then he will be given dominion in his right hand and eternity in his left, and a crown of dignity will be placed upon his head, and his parents will be clothed with garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world. 

They will say, “O Lord, how did we earn this.” 

It will be said to them, “*Because you taught your child the Qur’aan.*”

(al-Tabaraani in al-Awsat, 6/51; authenticated by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah)

And the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

‘Whoever reads the Qur’aan, learns it and acts in accordance with it, on the Day of Resurrection his parents will be given a crown to wear whose light will be like the light of the sun, and his parents will be given garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world. 

They will say, “Why have we been given this to wear?” 

It will be said, “Because your child learned the Qur’aan.”

(al-Haakim, 1/756; al-Silsilah al-Saheehah 2829)

Memorizing the Qur’aan is not just lip service. Rather  understanding the meanings and implementation are the key to succeed and be able to qualify for the rewards promised by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala. 

Please see my article below for further clarification. 

And Allaah knows best