Semester B 17/18, 26th January 2018
ETIQUETTES OF JUMUAH:
The Prophet SAW said:
“Whoever does a perfect wudhu, then comes to the jumuah Salah and listens attentively and is silent, then it would be forgiven for him that which is between the two jumuahs and an increase of 3 days. Whoever then touches pebbles, then their reward will become nullified.”
— Muslim
Touching pebbles refers to fidgeting during the khutbah. We should also remember to read Surah Kahf on Fridays and send salutations on the Prophet SAW.
In order to evaluate how much we love Allah SWT, we must evaluate our connection with Qur’an. The Qur’an has rights over every single one of us and it is our duty to fulfil these rights to the best of our ability. The amazing thing about these rights to the Qur’an is that they do not affect any one of us except in a positive way.
There are 5 main rights of the Quran which we must be aware of. These rights can be considered to be the steps of a ladder. We may find that some of us may be on the first or second step, and some may not even be on the ladder yet. We should make it our goal to reach the top of the ladder so that we may be from the successful.
1. Recital: this is the most fundamental right of the Qur’an. For every letter we recite of the Qur’an, we are rewarded with 10 rewards. So, as we work for the money of this life, we should work hard and strive for the money of the hereafter by increasing in the recitation of the Qur’an. Allah says in the Quran,
“Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah, unquestionably, only by the remembrance of Allah are hearts assured.”
— Qur’an 13:28
So, to find peace and tranquillity in this world, we must remember Allah SWT often through the recitation of His book for at least 10 minutes a day and the progress.
2. Preservation: we must strive to memorise as much as we can from the Qur’an as it is a way for us to attain the highest levels of Paradise. On the day of Judgment, when we enter Jannah In shaa’ Allah, we will be told to read the Qur’an (from what we have memorised) and rise in ranks. So, the more we know, the higher we’ll ascend. So let’s start by memorising a few small chapters of the Qur’an and slowly increase how much we learn so that slowly but surely, we will be raised with the Carriers of the Qur’an in Jannah.
3. Understand: we should read the translations of the Qur’an every time we memorise a small chapter so that we can benefit fully from the Qur’an. It has answers to every problem we face today and it also a medicine for us to use. How do we expect to understand the miracle of the Qur’an when we don’t even understand it? So again, we should read the translation of the Qur’an and reflect upon its verses at least 10 minutes a day.
4. Practice: once we have started to memorise and understand the Qur’an, we must then strive to act by it. One of the wisdoms of revealing the Qur’an over 23 years was so that it could be implemented practically. We should strive to be like the Prophet SAW when he was described as a walking Qur’an through the way he conducts himself.
5. Propagation (spreading): once we have climbed up this high in the ladder, we must now strive to teach others the Qur’an. The prophet SAW said:
“The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teaches it.”
— Bukhari
Now we must reflect on where we are on the ladder. No matter how much time we spend with the Qur’an, our time outside it would not decrease in productivity as Allah SWT will place blessings in the time. Finally, if we truly want to be companions of the Qur’an and listen to it, then we cannot listen to music. Surely, music and Qur’an can’t mix in the same heart. Do you want the words of the Shaytan in your heart or the Word of Allah? The Qur’an will come with you to the grave and the Day of judgment as it will intercede for you.