Reciting Quran repeatedly is not enough, says scholar

Reciting Quran repeatedly is not enough, says scholar Ahmed Shaaban / 15 July 2013 Muslims around the world are not mostly well aware that the Holy Quran, with its diverse and incredible verses and teachings, is the real miracle of the nation at all times, said Saudi scholar Dr Sheikh Ibrahim Al Duwaish in a lecture on the ‘Prophet’s deep thinking of the Quran’ on Saturday night. The lecture saw the presence of Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, other dignitaries and senior officials. In the fourth lecture in a series of 22, being held as part of the 17th session of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Al Duwaish said: “Not only do we need to keep reciting the Quran on a regular basis, but more importantly mull over its verses for more benefits in life and the Hereafter. It is not a matter of how much we read, but rather how deep we understand for application.” The professor of Prophetic Sunnah (sayings and acts) at Al Qassim University, Saudi Arabia, said the Quran is very rich in all types of miracles, be they scientific, lingual, numerical or educational.   “To know, understand, and feel such miraculous aspects and others, we should first recite the Quran as due, mull over its verses, and live them as a reality not as a set of instructions for just mental, spiritual and religious grounds.” Giving an example, he said the first chapter of the Quran (Al Fatiha) is the greatest and most comprehensive in the holy book that Muslims need to recite 17 times in the daily obligatory five prayers. “However, very few know about the secrets of such repetition; it is like a perfect weapon we do not know how to use. “Based on the authentic prophetic sayings, Al Fatiha chapter may be recited with the intention of treatment, immunity, supplication, true worship, and wish for guidance to the right path and happiness in life and Hereafter.” Dr Duwaish noted that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) used to humbly and properly recite the Quran all the year round, particularly in Ramadan and at night, in prayer, verse by verse, alone and in group. “He also preferred to listen to the Quran from others, and never read the Quran in full in less than three days.” Getting ready for recitation alone, with ablution, in a pure place, free mind, confidence, and mulling over every word and context for application are important as well, he added. On Sunday night, Sheikh Talal Fakhir would deliver a lecture on the ‘Prophet’s training to achieve set goals’ and popular Egyptian scholar Dr Sheikh Omar Abdul Kafi will give a lecture on ‘How the Prophet is a harbinger of good and bad tidings’ today. All lectures are slated to start at 10.30pm after the Taraweeh prayer. Valuable prizes await attendees all along the 1 to 20 Ramadan Award. More details are available at the award website (www.quran.gov.ae), by emailing to quran@eim.ae, or on the phone at 04-2610666. ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com Taylor Scott International