THE HONOUR OF ALLAAH IS TO HONOUR THE MEMORIZERS OF THE QUR’AAN by Lawal AbdulAfeez Arishekola

The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “Indeed, from the honour of Allaah is to honour the grey-haired (older) Muslim, the carrier of Qur’aan who is neither extreme in it

nor turns away from it.” – Reported by Abu Dawud from Abu Musa – Sahih al-Jami’ (2199)

It’s a brewing and seemingly common action among Muslims today that most times we fail to give the memorizers of Qur’aan (Hufaadhul Qur’aan) their due honour and reverence as espoused by Allaah Azza wa ja’la and His Prophet (SallaLLaahu alayhi wasalam).

Ibn al-Jazari (rahimahullaah) said: “The transmission of Qur’aan by
relying upon memorisation (off by heart) and not upon script in the mus-haf and in books, is from the most noble of characteristics given to this Ummah by Allaah Ta’aala.”

Abul-Fadhl al-Razi said: “It was upon the memorisation and teaching (of Qur’aan) that the
hearts of the first ones (of this nation) and those after them lay.” – Fadha’il al-Qur’aan pg. 33

There are many times when I have physical interaction with people, and we were blessed with the presence of one or more Hufaadhul Qur’aan, but the Muslims there takes everyone in the gathering as on the same level without accruing honour to the memorizers of the Book of Allaah, nor giving them the special right to talk when matters of the deen and mundane issues begins.

“The Qur’an as a guide to mankind also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong)…”(al-Baqara, 2/185).

If the lovers of this world take enchantments in their world, and the people of high position take felicity in their mounting status and the people of riches take delectation in their heaps of material possessions, then the memorizers of the Qur’aan is more worthy of taking delight in the most profound honour and reverence as they are the holders and carriers of the speech of Allaah on earth.

Allaah `azza wa jall apportioned every servant of His with a rank, hence, why many of pray as follows: (May Allaah increase my/your rank), and as the people of Qur’aan are
the best of people in rank, for the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, narrated
in Bukhari – “The best of you is the one who learns Qur’aan and teaches it.”
Goodness descends upon the people of Qur’aan and Allah’s favour wraps them
The Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “No people gather together in one of the
Houses of Allaah, reciting the Book of Allaah and studying it among themselves, except that
Sakeenah (Tranquility) descends upon them, and Mercy envelops them, and the angels
surround them, and Allaah mentions them amongst those who are with Him.” (Muslim 2699).

Just as Allaah `azza wa jall raised the position of the memorizer of Qur’aan in this world and made him the most deserving of leadership amongst the people, He also elevated his rank in the next life by making him the most deserving of getting the mercy of the hereafter first as Narrated from Jabir ibn ‘Abdullaah (radhiallaahu `anhumaa): The Prophet (sallallaahu
`alayhi wa sallam) used to gather together two men from those killed in Uhud in one piece of
cloth, then he would say, “Which one of them knows Qur’aan more?” If one of them was
pointed out to him, he would lower him into the grave first and say, “I am a witness over
them on the Day of Judgement.” He would then order for their burial in their blood and they
were not washed nor were they prayed over. – Al-Bukhari (1343)

It is no exaggeration to reiterate that the people of Qur’aan (its memorizers and abiders) are most deserving of being at the forefront of all affairs of the Ummah as they’ve the life’s manual and its Constitution in them (i.e memorised) and this is more) better understood as It was narrated that Abu Mas’ood al-Ansaari said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘The people should be led in prayer by the one among them who has the most knowledge of the Book of Allaah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Qur’aan, then by the one who has most knowledge of the Sunnah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then by the one who migrated (made hijrah) first; if they are equal in terms of hijrah, then by the one who became Muslim first. No man should lead another in prayer in his domain of authority, or sit in his place in his house, except with his permission.”-
(Narrated by Muslim, 673)

These are just a few examples of how Allaah honored the People of Qur’aan and such, we as Muslims should strive to give due honour to the ones whom Allaah has classified special honour to (Memorizers of Qur’aan)

Let us strive to learn the recitation of the Qur’aan, and memorize the whole of it or a greater part we can, and understand its exegesis, know the causes of revelation, abide by its words and recite more of the Quran, for indeed, our ranks will be increased by the Book of Allaah as our Lord raised a slave “Ibn Abzi” to become a Governor of Makaah as narrated from Naafi’ ibn ‘Abd al-Haarith that he met’ Umar (Radi’allahu anhu) in isfaan and ‘Umar made him a governor’ over Makkah. He said, “Who have you put over Ahl al-Waadi (as a governor)?” He replied, “Ibn Abzi.” He said, “And who’s Ibn Abzi?” He said, “A slave amongst our slaves.” He said, “And you put a slave over them as a governor ?” Umar replied, “Indeed he recites the Book of Allaah ‘azza wa jall and he is knowledgeable of the Faraa’ idh (Obligations), did your Prophet (Peace be upon him) not say,” Truly, Allaah raises a people by this Book and debases others by it.” – Reported by Muslim

Islam gives great priority to the learning of the Quran as it is the most perfect code of conduct. Islam attaches great value to knowledge, learning and education. When the Quran was revealed, its first word was “Iqra”, which means is to read.  The Noble Quran is an substantial ocean of knowledge and learning that guide us from cradle till grave. That’s why Islam has continously re-echo the learning of Quran.

“Verily, therein is indeed a reminder for him who has a heart or gives ear while he is heedful.” Surat Qaf Verse 37

Holy Qur’aan is the sizable passport to paradise and salvation. The Noble Quran was revealed to the Last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW) for the betterment of entire Ummah. Let’s all revert towards it and apply it in the daily matter in order to attain the pedestal worthy of high appreciation in the sight of Allaah.

“For the honour of the carrier of the Qur’aan is not due to his personal self, but rather it’s because of and due to the honour of Allaah’s words which he carries in his heart.”