Reading i-Quran: Do we need to take Wudhu'?

Quite long time this blog not being updated...huhu..


For this new entri and the first one for the year 2012  I would like to share the etiquette with the Quran.


Before this, I post about how easy we are to get connected with the Quran in this modern world with various technology, functions and applications of the iQuran or e-Quran. But did we ever think about our manner towards those new forms of the Quran. Does it same as the hard-copied Quran or what?


I think about it then I ask my ustaz; Abdul Salam about it and below is his answer regarding this matter.


With regards to your question, it's always better, if we can ensure that we have wudhu when reading Qur'an.

Touching a an electronic Qur'an is just like touching printed copy Qur'an.

The fact that ulama have different views pertaining touching Qur'an, it also reflects on electronic Qur'an as well, such as those built in iOS, Android, or Windows devices.

So if you agree with those who say we must not touch Qur'an until we have wudhu, then you should not start up your electronic Qur'an until you have wudhu. In other words, if you start up the application, don't use your direct finger to touch the screen. Use stylus or likes.

If you are comfortable with the argument (idea) of those who say it's OK to touch Qur'an without wudhu, then you are in easy way to go...

This being said, a lady who is in her period, is not supposed to touch the Qur'an, be it printed copy or electronic. Unless she's using a glove or something else to point at the wordings, without physical touching.

Allah knows best. Wassalam.


Hope this entry give us new knowledge and benefit to us.

I am a Hafiz... You too can be

Author : Ustaz Abdul Salam Abdul Hamid

Alhamdulillah; infinite Thanks and Praises are due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, Who has certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance. May His Peace and Blessings be upon the best reciter, the best Hafiz and the best teacher of the Qur’an, Habibi Muhammad, his family members, companions and all those who follow their path till the Day of Judgment.

Did I say I’m a Hafiz? Yes I did and I humbly mean it… Alhamdulillah. But wait! What does “Hafiz” mean? And what does it mean to be a “Hafiz”?

The term “Hafiz” is an Arabic word which literally means “The protector” or “The one who memorizes something, protects it with his memory and can remember it at any time by heart”. The term Hafiz is widely used to refer to the one who can read the whole Qur’an by heart. It is also used to refer to someone who has memorized a significant number of the Hadeeths of Rasulullah SAW.

To be a “Hafiz” simply means to change your lifestyle. Whether you like it or not, the moment you become a “Hafiz”, many visible changes will take place. You will become unique in a way or another.

Do you remember when you moved on from Primary level to Secondary (Junior High School)? Your attitude changed including your handwriting. Something similar happened when you graduated to tertiary education. Isn’t it? Truly, changes will occur in one’s life the moment he becomes a Hafiz.

So, "I am a Hafiz..." is a humble invitation for all to relate to the Qur'an and change their life forever, insha Allah.

It's narrated that the Apostle of Allah (SAW) said in a Hadeeth narrated by Anas Ibn Malik, compiled by Imam Ahamd and Ibn Majah:

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ أَهْلِينَ مِنْ النَّاسِ. قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، مَنْ هُمْ؟ قَالَ :هُمْ أَهْلُ الْقُرْآنِ، أَهْلُ اللَّهِ وَخَاصَّتُهُ.

It means, "Verily, Allah has special ones amongst the people." Then the companions said "O Messenger of Allah, who are they?" He said, "They are the people of Qur'an; the people of Allah and His special ones".

Imam Al-Mannawi [a prominent scholar in the Shafiee school of thought, 952-1031H] said in his book, Faidhul Qadeer, “It means, the protectors (those who have memorized it) of the Qur’an who practice it are the allies of Allah and are special to Him just like one’s family members are special to him. They are called so (People of Allah) as an honour for them, just as it can be said, "The house of Allah".

It's narrated that Abdullah Ibn Mas'oud r.a. said: 

يَنْبَغِي لِحَامِلِ القُرْآنِ أَنْ يُعْرَفَ بِلَيْلِهِ إِذَا النَّاسُ نَائِمُونَ، وَبِنَهَارِهِ إِذَا النَّاسُ مُفْطِرُونَ، وَبِحُزْنِهِ إِذَا النَّاسُ يَفْرَحُونَ، وَبِبُكَائِهِ إِذَا النَّاسُ 

يَضْحَكُونَ، وَبِصَمْتِهِ إِذَا النَّاسُ يَخُوضُونَ، وَبِخُشُوعِهِ إِذَا النَّاسُ يَخْتَالُونَ...ـ

It means, "A Hafiz should be known with his night (awake) when people are sleeping, with his day [fasting] when people are consuming food, with his sorrow when people are happy [with dunia], with his cries when people are laughing [unnecessarily], with his silence when people are engaged [talking meaninglessly], with his submissiveness when people are arrogant..."

So far, I’m not talking about “Ikhlas”. That’s something I am not in the position to share with you how to decide on it. Ikhlas is something no one can tell you what it is. But, always remember that “Whatever is genuinely done for Allah remains connected, no matter how you hide it. Contrarily, whatever is made pretentiously for Allah will never get connected, no matter how it’s been publicized”.

Did I say “You too can be!”? Oh yes! You too can be… And I mean it! This is because I’m not better than you. You should not believe that someone is better that you. Everyone has his strengths as well as weaknesses. What is important is to “cut your coat according to your cloth”. Take your medication according to your sickness. Take a rest when you feel tired and eat only when you need to do so, not because your neighbour or friend needs to.

Someone may need 10 minutes to run a 1km distance, but you may not be able to run a 1km distance in 10 minutes. You may need 15 minutes instead. Someone else may need 20. What is important is that the three of you should be able to run the distance of 1km at the end of the day, each according to his capability and strength not on the same par. Albert Einstein once said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

I won’t repeat to you the great Hadeeths of Rasulullah which each enlightens us with the rewards awaiting those who memorize the Qur’an genuinely. You may read or reread them in “The Hadeeth that Changed my Life, Forever” (http://www.gsalam.net/archives/1048). But at the same time, I can’t proceed without reminding ‘myself and you’ of the very famous Hadeeth of Rasulullah SAW narrated by Sayyidina Uthman Ibn ‘Affan r.a. and reported by Imam Bukhari, which says:

خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ القُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ

It means, “The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur’an and teaches it [i.e., to others]”. Masha Allah! (Wow!)

The best musician you know (whether he’s still alive or not) may not want to enter the ‘jannah’ as a musician, if he was a Muslim. The best chef you know, may not want to go to ‘jannah’ as chef. The best businessman you know may not want to be known as one inside the ‘jannah’ until he had been righteously generous.

But anyone who studies or memorizes the Qur'an will be honoured to be presented in the Jannah as a Hafiz or Qur'an learner. Even the ‘Hafiz’ who abused his status as a “Hafiz” will still have some hope in the Qur’an to save him that day, what more if he (the Hafiz) was a righteous one?

A good practical example is, when someone passes away, his family members search for Qur’an recitors to recite Qur’an for his “soul” even if the dead person didn’t have any regard for the Qur’an in his lifetime. If they are not able to find someone to do so, they gather and read for him by themselves. If they cannot read for some reasons, they (ironically) put a copy of the Qur’an on the dead body. All these actions, though different people have different stands towards it (in favour or against) come to show how much regard Muslims have for the Qur’an in all situations.

“Nothing is impossible” as they say. Adam Khoo titled one of his books with “I’m Gifted, So Are You!” This book is meant for students who are preparing for major exams (i.e. O Level and A Level) but it is a good reading for anyone who wants to discover his potentials. If that can be accepted to be possible and believed in that everyone is or can be a gifted (genius), I don’t see why you and I can’t believe in the fact that you can be a Hafiz too. Allah says:

وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا القُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ 

It means, “And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?” It's important to note that the above verse is repeated four times in Surah Al-Qamar: 17, 22, 32 and 40.

No magic is needed for one to become a Hafiz. No 'istikharah' is needed either before one decides to start, because performing 'ibadahs' does not require 'istikharah'. All it requires is a “great interest” and wherever there is “interest”, "passion" and "discipline" there will be a result, sooner or later, insha Allah. In order to achieve quality and excellence, more patience will be needed too.

Before one starts, he needs to realize the importance of what he is about to attain. Make sure you purify your intention (niyyah) to the best possible. Followed by the moment in which you make the decision to achieve that specific ambition in your life. Then you need to prioritize that target over other ambitions. There is a need to sacrifice some things in order to achieve something.

In order to perform for 10 minutes perfectly in front of an audience of 500 spectators, one needs to spend a combined time of not less than 5 hours to prepare, practice and rehearse. In other words, for one to memorize Qur'an, one needs to forgo at least 5 habits (i.e. too much sleeping, facebooking, music, watching movies and dramas, eating a lot, unnecessarily outings).

Once he starts, nothing should stop him until he achieves his goal. That will be when one’s life is going to change forever. Crown this plan with dua'; present your weakness before Allah and He will present your strength to His creatures. Present you disabilities before Him, and He will surface your capabilities to His creatures.

For the adults who are reading this, please do not allow your age to hinder you from this great honour. I read about an old Arab lady who is 68 years old who could not read nor write but was able to memorize the full Qur'an through listening. This happened not a long time ago. Also, you may have not yet heard or read about the Indonesian lady who memorized the Qur'an at the age of 82 (http://hifzdiary.blogspot.com/2011/09/memorized-holy-quran-at-age-82.html.

If you start with good intention targeting to become a Hafiz and along the way Allah chooses you to be by His side before you finish, Allah's grace is so abundant that we hope your reward will be fully granted.

Allah says in Surah Al-Nisaa, 4:100:

وَمَن يَخْرُجْ مِن بَيْتِهِ مُهَاجِرًا إِلَى اللَّـهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ يُدْرِكْهُ الْمَوْتُ فَقَدْ وَقَعَ أَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّـهِ وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا 

It means, "And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him - his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful."

If you are not able to do it to become a Hafiz, but you have strong wish you could do it, I will suggest to you to consider sponsoring someone who is not able to become a Hafiz due to some financial disabilities but still have the dream to continue one day. Alternatively, you can contribute to Tahfeez schools and centres which produce Huffaz by providing your moral and financial support.

Nothing is easy until you have started to carry it out. All accomplishments remain difficult as long as we do nothing about them. They say, “Life is a matter of choice and the choice is yours”.

Until we meet here again on GSalam.Net, I hope by then you have come to a decision to start memorizing the Qur’an. If you have yet to do be inspired to do so by now, insha Allah, we will discuss again together next time on “How to memorize the Qur’an in 10 years, regardless of Age and Profession”. Remember my dear brother and sister, I have very high hope in the ‘Jannah’ of Allah, therefore, I would like to see you inside there for the excitement to be double. I don’t want to be there without you. But “the choice is still yours”.

Allah knows best.

Allahu Hafiz :)

GSalam.Net

This very good article copied from  http://www.gsalam.net/archives/1064

Memorized The Holy Qur'an at Age 82

 This story I copy from facebook, very nice real-story to share here. Hope it will motivate us.

As Read by Dr. Saleh as Saleh

Al-Hamdulillaah (All-Praise is due to Allah), the One Who said (what means): "And in truth We have made the Qur'aan easy to remember; but is there any that remembers?" Surah 54: 32

Many all over the world memorize the Qur'aan, and it is not strange to see the youth memorizing the Noble Qur'aan and an early age. Al-Hamdulillaah, the One who made the Qur'aan easy for remembrance, had made it easy for Umm Saalih age 82. In an interview with Umm Saalih, she was asked the following questions:

Q1: "What was the reason that drove you to memorize the Qur'aan after so many years?"

She said, "I always hoped to memorize the Qur'aan from the time I was young. My father always used to invoke Allaah for me to become one of the memorizers of the Qur'aan, like himself and like the elder brothers of my family who memorized it. So I memorized in the beginning about three parts and then after I completed the age of thirteen, I got married and became busy with the household and the children. After I had seven children, my husband died. They (the children) were all young so I took the time to raise them and educate them, and then after they grew up and got married, I had more time for myself. Therefore, the first thing I directed myself to focus upon was the Qur'aan.

Q2: "Tell us about your journey with the Noble Qur'aan."

She said, "My younger daughter was going to high school and she was the closest of my children to me and the most beloved, because she stayed with me after her older sisters got married and got busy with their lives, and because she was a quiet girl, upright, loving, and good. In addition, she was interested in learning the Noble Qur'aan, and her teachers encouraged her.

Furthermore, she was very enthusiastic and always told me of many women who were driven by this great motivation to memorize the Qur'aan, and this is where I started."

Q3: "Tell me about your way of memorization."

She said, "We assigned ten verses (meaning her and her daughter who was going to high school). So each day after Asr, we used to sit together. She reads and I repeat after her three times. Then she explains the meaning to me, and after a while, she repeats that three times. On the next morning, she repeats them to me before she goes to school. 

She recorded also the recitations of Ash Shaykh al Husary, Rahimuhullaah, repeating each verse three times and thus I continued to listen most of the time. Therefore, the next day we would go to the next ten verses if my memorization was good. Otherwise, we would postpone taking additional verses until the day after. Moreover, we assigned the day of Friday to review the memorizations of the entire week. And this was the journey from the beginning." 

Then she said, "Over four years and a half, I memorized twelve juz" according to the way I described to you. Then this young daughter got married. When her husband knew of our task concerning the memorization, he rented a house close to me, close to my house, so that he could allow the continuation of the memorization. In addition, he, May Allah reward him used to encourage us and sometimes sit with us listening, explaining and teaching. 

Then after three years of her marriage, my daughter got busy with the children and the household and our schedule was interrupted, but that did not make her give up. To the contrary, she sensed that my eagerness for the memorization was still established so she looked for a special good teacher to continue the journey under her supervision. So, I completed the memorization by the success of Allaah and my daughter is still working to finish the memorization of the Glorious Qur'aan. She has a little left, In Shaa Allaah Ta'aala.

Q4: "This motivation of yours, did it have an effect on other women around you?"

She said, "It really had a good strong effect. My daughters and stepdaughters were all encouraged and worked on learning and teaching the Qur'aan to their children and learning it themselves.

Q5: "After finishing the Noble Qur'aan, don't you think about working on memorizing hadith?"

She said, "Now I have memorized ninety hadith and In Shaa Allaah I will continue the journey. I depend, in my memorization, upon the tapes and upon the Qur'aan radio station. At the end of each week, my daughter comes and checks for me the memorization of three hadith, and I am trying now to memorize more.

Q6: "Over this period of memorization of the Qur'aan, did your life change? Was it affected in one way or another?"

She said, "Yes, I went through a major change and I tried always, all praise is due to Allaah, to obey Allaah before I started the memorization. However, after I started the task of memorization, I began to feel a self-comfort, a great self-comfort and all worries began to move away from me. I even reached the stage of freeing myself from all these excessive worries concerning fearing for the children and their affairs, and my morale was boosted. 

I had a noble objective to work for and this is a great Ni'mah (Favor) from Allaah . upon me, since we know that some women, when they get old and they do not have a husband, and their children got married, may be destroyed by the empty time, thoughts, worries, and so forth. But, AlHamdulillaah, I didn't go through this and I made myself busy with a great task and a great objective.

Q7: "Didn't you think at one point, to join one of the circles focusing on teaching the Noble Qur'aan?"

The answer was, "Yes, some of the women suggested this to me, but I am a woman who got used to staying at home, and I don't like to go out everyday, and Al Hamdulillaah, my daughter sufficed me from all difficulty and I was so happy while I was learning from her. My daughter had set an example in goodness and righteousness which we rarely find in our days. 

She started this task and journey with me while she was an adolescent and this is a critical age many people complain of. She used to pressure herself so that she could have spare time to teach me, and she used to teach me with kindness and wisdom. Her husband was a good help to her and he exerted a lot of effort. I ask Allaah . to give them success and to bring their children up on uprightness."

Q8: "What do you say to a woman of your age who wishes to learn and memorize the Qur'aan yet she is worried about it and feeling unable to?"

She said, "I say to her there their shall be no despair with the firm, sincere and truthful determination. Begin with sincerity, firm determination and dependence on Allaah at each time. And remember that at this age you should have the time for yourself. However, do not use your time to only go out or to sleep and so forth. Rather, busy yourself with righteous work.

Q9: "Now what would you say to a woman who is still young? What would you advise her?"

She, may Allaah preserve her, said: "Preserve Allaah and He will preserve you. Make use of the favor of Allaah bestowed upon you from health and ways and means of comfort. Use that to memorize the Book of Allaah. This is the light which enlivens your heart, your life and your grave after you die.

And if you have a mother then exert the effort to teach her, and there is no better favor upon a mother than one of her righteous children aiding her to be close to Allaah."

Presented on the 1st of Muharram 1426, Feb 10th 2005. Originally published in Ad-Da'wah Magazine, no.1552, 17th of Rabee' Al-Awwal 1417,corresponding to Aug 1, 1996.

Laylatul Qadr and It's Significance

By Muhammad Maulidi
We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: Peace!...This until the rise of morn! (Qur'an, 97:1-5) This chapter (Surah) was revealed in Makkah, and its basic theme is honoring the revelation of this blessed book, the Holy Qur'an. The Night of Power or honor is a special gift only to the community (Ummah) of Islam. The night is one which even the angels in the heavens see as worthy of witnessing. The night is so rich with holiness, as the night when good deeds are returned, and is equal to a thousand months in the sight of Allah. Occasion of revelation In a report by Abi Hatim and Al-Wahidi, by way of Mujahid, the Messenger mentioned that there was a man among the Israelites who devoted his life to the cause of Allah for a thousand months. The companions were amazed and impressed, but were saddened because they knew there would be no way that they could reach this status of devotion. So Allah  revealed this surah to inform them that He had just blessed this Ummah with the Night of Honor, which is equal to a thousand months. “We have indeed revealed it, (Al-Qur'an) in the Night of Power.” (Al-Qur'an 97:1) By revealing Al-Qur’an in the Night of Power, Allah  inaugurated or started its revelation for the beginning of the prophethood, and the Prophet’s mission of Al-Islam began in the month of Ramadan on that Night.   The Qur’an was not revealed in one night; it was revealed over the course of 23 years. Ibn Abbas said: The whole Qur’an was revealed to the lower heavens from the protective slate (Lawhul Mahfuz) on the Night of Power, then from there to the earth in the course of 23 years. The word power, Al-Qadr, has several implications and meaning, but we cover only those implications which are relevant to the issues here. Qadr implies having power over something, as in the case of the Creator over the creation. Allah’s  excellence is Al-Qadr, capable, omnipotent, almighty, all powerful. It also implies excellence and high esteem, and as for this Night of Power, it is highly esteemed and regarded. For this night is equal to over 80 years in the sight of Allah. It also implies to maintain, appoint, assign or decree an order. Thus, in the Night of Power, Allah  proclaims to the angels His commands and orders in regards to the affairs of the universe. From this meaning is derived the concept of Al-Qada Wa Qadar, the fifth article of faith, that Allah has decreed or preordained or, in other words, has full knowledge of all that the human being will do with his free will. A man’s decision to act freely in good conscience or bad conscience is all known to Allah, past, present and future. Qadr also implies measurement, that is all the events of the year will occur in accordance to the exact measurement of what is in the knowledge of Allah, Who states: “Verily, all things have We created in proportion and measure.” (Al-Qur'an, 54:49) Why the name, the Night of Power? As mentioned above, it is the night of Taqdeer, meaning the one in which Allah announces to the angels His already decreed commands, rules, events, etc., for the coming calendar year, from the present Night of Power to the next Night of Power. Allah states: “We sent it down during a blessed night; We forever wish to warn (against evil). In that (night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom.” (Al-Qur'an, 44:3-4) It should be known that most scholars believe Allah’s commands and rules are not made on that night. It has already been decreed in the eternity what is known to Allah, but that knowledge is not known to anyone, including the angels, until He announces it to the angels on that night so that they will record it on the protective slate. This is also the night of honor and prestige which may be awarded to the servant who devotes himself to special deeds, or to the deeds themselves for the higher value they contain on that night. The Night is concealed Allah in His mercy has concealed the Night of Power from us for the following reasons: The problems pertaining to an exact night on which the honors are attained are not unique with this Night. It seems that Allah conceals many things. He conceals his pleasure from us in all our good deeds so that we will strive in all of them. He conceals His wrath from us in all of the sins we commit so that we will avoid them. He conceals His most beloved servants (‘awliya) so that we will respect all the believers. He has concealed the time of His acceptance of our supplications so that we will strive in all our supplications. He concealed his greatest name, so that we mention all His names. He has concealed the time of death so that we will be conscious of Him and our deeds all the time. He has concealed the exact date of the Night of Power so that we would double our efforts in the whole month of Ramadan, or at least the last ten days. He has concealed it also to test the serious and the non-serious. The seriously interested person will search for the night late and in the early hours until he or she attains it, regardless of the hardship. Where is the Night? The majority of the scholars who agreed that the night occurs in the month of Ramadan, disagreed on the exact night. Some said it comes on the first day of Ramadan. Others said it is on the seventh; while others say its on the 19th night. All these opinions are not built on sound proof. There is evidence that the night comes on the last ten days of Ramadan, specifically on the odd numbered nights. In a hadith reported by Bukhari, the Messenger of Allah  said: “Seek it on the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.” In a hadith by Ibn Umar, some men among the companions saw the night in a dream occurring in the last seven nights. Responding to this, the Messenger of Allah told them, “I see your dreams coincide on the last seven, whoever wants to seek it should do so in the last seven.” In a hadith by Imam Muslim, the Prophet said, “Seek the night in the last ten days, and if any of you is weak, or can’t observe it, he should not miss the remaining seven days.” In Hadith by Ubayy bin Ka’ab, he said: “By Allah, I know which night it is. It is the night the Messenger commanded us to observe, the night of the 27th.” (narrated by Ahmad/Tirmidhi) Analyzing all these citations indicates still no one knows for sure which night is the Night of Power, at least in a given year. It seems that the night shifts and rotates to different nights from one year to another. It may occur on the 27th in one year, while the next year it will be on the 25th, while on the following year it will be occurring on the 29th, etc. There is an indication to this in a hadith by Bukhari, in which the Messenger of Allah states: “Seek it on the twenty-ninth; it may be on the twenty-seventh, or on the twenty-fifth.” Imam Ibn Hajr, in his book, Fathul Bari, in the commentary of the Book of Bukhari, said: “I accept the ruling that the night occurs on the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, namely the twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh and or twenty-ninth.” Seeking the Night It is recommended to seek the night and spend it diligently in devotion, including night Sunnah prayers (Tahajjud), recitation of the Qur’an and supplications. In a hadith related by Abu Hurairah, the Messenger of Allah said: “He who spends the night in prayer on the Night of Power, as a sign of His faith, and seeking rewards from Allah, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari/Muslim) This citation indicates that regardless of whether a person knows the night or not, Allah will grant him forgiveness for previous shortcomings. "And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is?; The Night of Power is better than a thousand months." (Al-Qur'an 97:2-3) Allah is emphasizing by putting the second verse in question form. The answer being no one knows, or comprehends, the awesomeness and the depth of honor of the night. As if to say whatever merits Allah informs you about the night is just nothing compared to the things you have no idea about. Nonetheless, He mentions three honors in the credit of the night: 1.”The Night is better than a thousand months. 2. “Therein, come down the angels…” and 3. “Peace!” The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. This indicates that acts of worship such as prayer, charity, and recitation done on this night are better in reward than the same act done on other nights. The rewards (thawab) are being multiplied several-fold. Imam Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah was shown the long life span of people of previous nations, so the Prophet bemoaned the shortness of the life span of the Ummah, fearing that they might not be able to save many good deeds for the Hereafter. Therefore, Allah gave him the Night of Power to compensate for their lack of longevity. Hence, the devoted believer has as chance of adding 80 something years of worship to his life on the Night of Power. You see, for instance, if you worship Allah on this night every year for 65 years, by multiplying 65 by 80, you would have lived for 5,200 years, or achieved the reward of a person who lived that long. You can see why the devotions were highly encouraged by the Prophet. Indeed, you can achieve the honor of the Night of Power if you so wish by spending the odd nights of the last ten days in acts of worship. “Therein, come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand.” (Al-Qur'an 97:4) This is far from the earlier cry of the angels who, when Allah told them, “…I will create a vicegerent on earth,” they said, “Will you place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?…” (Al-Qur'an, 2:30) You see, when the angels first looked at our spirit with its traits of mischief, vanity and desires, and the rages of anger, they, the embodiment of all that is good, did not like us at all. That explains their response in the above verse. So is the case with parents, when they first conceptualize the shape of the offspring, semen and congealed blood; they do not like it. They will even wash their hands, clothes and everything that this substance touches, a gruesome thing. They may even think about aborting the baby in the beginning. But after the baby is being fashioned in the most beautiful shape and they feel the movement of life, they change from dislike to caring love. That is seemingly what happened to the angels. When they saw in us this beautiful spirit of knowing the Creator, and worshipping Allah alone, they changed from dislike to complete love, and cannot wait for another Night of Power to come down so they can pray for us. Allah states: “…And they implore forgiveness for those who believe…” (Al-Qur'an, 40:7) He used the form tanazzal ("They come"), to indicate that the angels descend on the Night of Power, group after group; some coming down to earth while others ascend into the heaven. This heavenly, angelic organized traffic of good will continues until the break of dawn. As for the reasons why they come, there are several explanations including: (1) they descend to witness how we worship and obey Allah, and (2) to show their deep love for the believers. This is why they seek permission from Allah to come and meet us. This is a once-a-year opportunity they do not like to miss. (3) Allah promised the believers that in the hereafter, angels will approach on them with greetings: “…And the angels shall enter into them from every gate (with the salutation): Peace be unto you for that you persevered in patience…” (Al-Qur'an, 13:23-24). Now, if you preoccupy yourself with worship of Allah, the angels will descend on you with salutations. (4) Allah singles out this night with honors on the earth so the angels can come down and increase their rewards, and as a means to encourage the human race to worship. (5) Realization that the angels are around is encouragement for the servants to devote more time to good deeds as a man will work harder when a foreman is present. “…And the Spirit…” (Al-Qur'an 97:4) There are several explanations for the meaning of the Spirit: (1) The Spirit is comprised of groups of special angels who are seen only on the Night of Power; (2) it is referring to Al-Qur'an, as Allah stated: “And thus have We, by Our command sent inspiration (spirit) to thee…” (Al-Qur'an 42:52), (3) This is a reference to Angel Jibreel, as this is a special honor to Jibreel who has been mentioned twice Surah 42 first with another angel, and separately as the spirit of Allah as the Qur'an says: “Verily this is a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds. With it came down the spirit of faith and truth.” (Al-Qur'an, 26:192-193) Thus the correct explanation of the spirit, Ruh, is Jibril in this verse to indicate the angels on one side and Jibril on the other, while they were descending. “…By Allah`s permission…” This indicates the angels extend a request to come to meet the believers; and to underscore the fact that angels are infallible; that they do not make a move without explicit permission from their Lord. Allah states: “They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His command.” (Al-Qur'an, 21:27) “(The angels say) We descend not but by command of thy Lord…” (Al-Qur'an 19:64) “(Their) Lord.” It indicates honor for the angels. It is as if Allah is saying “They are for Me and I am for them”. Similarly, Allah said regarding us: “Verily your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six days…” (Al-Qur'an, 10:3) And regarding Prophet Muhammad, Allah said: “Behold, your Lord said to the angels…” (Al-Qur’an, 2:30) It has been reported that when Prophet David was terminally ill, he asked Allah to be for his son Solomon, as He was for him. Allah replied, saying: “Tell Solomon to be for Me as you are for Me. (Al-Qur'an 2:30) “…On every errand…” This indicates the angels and the Spirit descend for different purposes: some come down for prostration, some for bowing, and others for supplications for the believers and salutations. Or they come down carrying with them the proclamations of the coming year. “Peace!…” (Al-Qur'an 97:5) There are several explanations to this verse: (1) The whole Night of Power, from sunset to the break of dawn, will be spent by the angeles in salutation. (2) The purpose is to describe the night with peace because of the salutation from the angels. That is very important, because when seven angels visited Prophet Ibrahim (saas) and saluted him, he was very happy, and when Nimrod threw him in the fire, it turned ice-cold when the angels saluted him. (3) This is a wish of safety and peace from all evil and harmful things, or the angels will only bring on this night, good things! “…Until the rise of morn.” (Al-Qur'an 97:5) All the honor, blessings and peace of the Night of Power will continue in every second of the night until Fajr (dawn). Allah is the Best Knower. taken from :http://en.harakah.net.my/

e-Quran ?

As we all know, and I already mention about it in the previous post, Ramadan is the month of Quran. To acknowledge this blessing month of Ramadan, I want to suggest several application, website or software or whatever you may call them in order to increase our daily interaction with the Holy Quran. Quran is approachable in every condition and situation (for those who not a haafiz), it just a matter of self-conduct whether we want to read it or not. Read,and your life will be enlighten; don't read,and your life will be gone astray. 

1. Quran Flash

 

  QuranFlash

It offer easy-to-read the Quran like the printing edition on the internet. This website is very interactive and easy to use just like other flash e-book. With this website you can read the Quran while you have other commitment on your PC or laptop. You don't need to take the Quran and it make the Quran approachable while you don't have wudhu' (ablution).  However, it's better for you to focus on the Quran only when you are reading it. There are several features in this website that will help you to navigate this page;

This only my suggestion. Actually, a lot more website offer such interactive way to read the Quran.

2. iQuran

Nowadays, everything had been added i in front of the word...haha. Usually this i  is used by Apple in their product. In one way or another, it represent the Apple brand like iPod, iPad, iTunes, iPhone, iMac, iBook and etc. But this iQuran, I don't know whether it is produced by Apple or other company. This software available for iPad and Android users. Sometimes, when you buy an iPad or Android like Samsung Tab or etc, this iQuran application is already installed in the gadget. That what I found in Malaysia market, if not you can download from internet. 

It is equipped with translation into numerous language in the world, complete with recitation from prestigious Qaree, Bookmarking, Innovative index screen and etc. For further info and download click this iQuran  .

iPhone with iQuran

3. Quran Reader

This software is compatible with Blackberry, iPhone and iPod. Reading and searching the Holy Quran. Quran Reader provides Arabic with verse by verse english, french, spanish, indonesian, german and melayu (malaysian) translations. Supports MIDP 1.0/MIDP 2.0 java-enabled phones.

Blackberry with QuranReader

You can download from this page QuranReader.

There a lot more similar but not same product in the current market. Technology help us so much getting closer to the Quran and Allah the Almighty. So, no reason to excuse from reading the Quran, no life without Quran. Together we pray that Allah will help us in our effort to love Him and to be loved by Him.

وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ 

And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember? [54:17] 

Ramadan, time to read the Quran more than regular

{شهر رمضان الذي أنزل فيه القرآن هدى للناس وبينات من الهدى والفرقان }( البقرة:185 )

"The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance" (cf. Surah al-Baqarah 2:185)

Ramadan is coming soon !

It just around the corner, just a week from now. Ramadan is the month of the Quran [ شهر القران ] as stated in the ayat above. This blessing month promise us with a bountiful rewards from Allah for each good deed we make. So, why not we grab the chance to collect rewards from Allah and the most important is to please Allah and get His forgiveness.

Reading and studying the Quran is the most encouraged deed in Ramadan. At least we must make sure we can finish the Quran within this blessing month of Ramadan. We had been encourage to form a group of tadarrus to read, study, and reflect the content of the Quran towards our lives. This had been shown to us by our beloved prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H as stated in a hadith:

 Ibn 'Abbas narrates "that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was the most generous person, and he would be at his most generous in Ramadan because Jibril would come to him every night and he would rehearse the Qur'an with him." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Eng. trans. 6/486)

The salaf generation gave us exemplary acts onto the Quran during Ramadan. Like Qatadah (rahimahullah) would regularly finish the Quran in 7 days, but during Ramadan he would finish it in 3 days only. Imam Malik (rahimahullah) would cease narrating Hadith and sitting with the people of knowledge, and stick to reciting the Quran from its pages, while Sufyan al-Thawri (rahimahullah) would leave other acts of worship and stick to reciting the Quran.

How can we finish in 3 days or 1 days while there is a hadis that limit us to finish the Quran not less than 7 days [if I'm not mistaken]?

Alhamdulillah, Ibn Rajab (rahimahullah) had explained to us as follows:

"The forbiddance of completing recitation of the Quran in less than 3 days applies to this being made a regular practice, but as for favoured times such as Ramadan, esp. the nights in which Laylat al-Qadr is sought, or favoured places such as Makkah for the visitor, it is recommended to increase reciting the Quran to avail the time and place. This is the view of Ahmad, Ishaq & other Imams, and the practice of others indicates this too."

So, what we waiting for? This coming Ramadan is a big opportunity for us to increase our relationship with the Quran. Read the Quran more than what you do it regularly. I have tried once and whether you want to believe or not I finish the Quran in 1 day [ I read it after my grandma had passed away ].

As a human, we always need to motivate ourselves and Ramadan itself is a motivation for us to read the Quran a lot.I find this such motivation in a webpage:

Regarding a hadis; Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Salam) said: "The one who reads a single letter from the Book of Allaah will be rewarded with one good deed. (Know that) A good deed is multiplied ten times over. I do not say Alif Laam Meem is one letter. Verily, Alif is one letter, Laam is one letter, Meem is one letter." [At-Tirmithi]

A juz [part] from Quran approximately contains 7000 words or letters X 10 rewards X 70 rewards of Ramadan [insyaAllah] X 30 juzu'/parts =147million. almost 150million. [taken from: http://quran.maktoob.com/vb/quran26395/]

Wow! such a great rewards if we finish the Quran 1 time in Ramadan. That calculation only an approximation, and it should be more than that, not less. So, with such a great rewards how many times we want to finish/khatam the Quran in Ramadan?

Of course we will struggle to finish it more than one, right?

to all of you ..

Have a blessing Ramadan, being blessed by Allah!

O Allah ! Make this coming Ramadan a motivation for us to read and to memorize your Quran!

Method to strengthen hifz (Abdul Rahman Fauzi's Method)

Today, I'll be sharing with you all a method invented by my former classmate which is one of the best student in my school, Abdul Rahman Fauzi.

He started memorizing al-Quran since he was 6 years old. He started by memorizing the short surah and then he continued memorizing in his primary school but doing it seriously when he was in secondary school. Finally, he finished memorizing the whole al-Quran when he was 16 years old. So overall he took 10 years to finished memorizing it. Untill now, it is about 15 years since he started memorizing al-Quran and now he comes with a method which is very useful for him and hopefully may benefit all of us, insyaAllah.

This method may not be the best technique for you but it's worth a try so that we can sustained al-Quran in from our mouth to our hearts.This technique is not only applicable for those who have finished memorizing the whole al-Quran but it can be also use for those who have memorized some juzu' and have difficulty in remembering it.

Firstly, we divide the juzu' that we had memorized into two, the juzu' that we really remember it and juzu' that we had difficulty in sustaining in remembering it. For example, the juzu' that I really remember is juzu' amma (30th juzu') and the first until the 29th juzu'. So, I will start the technique from the first juzu'.

Secondly, set a target for how many days that you need to finished revising one juzu'. As example, I am able to finished a juzu' in 4 days. So, for a juzu' which usually contained 20 pages, so I need to revise 5 pages per day to complete a juzu' in 4 days. After revising it, recite it with your friend to check if there are any mistakes. It's better to be this way rather than revising and reciting one juzu' per day because usually you will be lazy after few days but it's up to you.

Thirdly, according to the example above, the first day we recite 5 pages and the next day 5 more pages but after you have recite 5 pages in the second day, you also need to recite the previous 5 pages that you had recite. The third day, 5 more pages to recite with revising the previous 10 pages and the fourth day will be 5 pages  to recite with 15 previous pages to be revised. So until you finished the juzu', you can continue to the next juzu' by doing the same method from the previous juzu'. Then the next 3 days in that week will be provided for the juzu' which you really remembered it. So, you will get to sustain one more juzu' in a week. Having finished one juzu' from my example, so there are 28 more juzu' to be recited. With that condition, don't forget to pray so that we'll be able to finished reciting and sustained all the juzu' before we will be taken by Allah.

We must also not forget to recite du'a before and after we recite the al-Quran with hope that Allah will help us to sustained our hifz. If possible, always perform Solat Taqwiyatul Hifz to strengthen our hifz. InsyaAllah this technique or method will help you to strengthen your hifz but if it's not, there will be some other methods that can help you.