(by Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Rahmatullahi Alaih)
Before the wa’z Qari Muhammad Yameen Saheb and some children recited the Qur’aan Shareef. Thereafter Hazrat Moulana Thanwi said the following words in respect of the Kalaamullah – the Divine Speech – the Qur’aan Majeed:
Friends! The Kalaamullah was recited so that you take interest in it. In these times people are becoming disinclined in this direction and consider it futile. Some even say that it is a waste of one’s life; if the energies of kids are channelled into other directions then how nice it will be!!!
In some places there are committees established to suspend the teaching of the Qur’aan. They consider engaging in the learning and teaching of the Qur’aan to be a waste of time [Na’oothubillah]! They even say that to learn it without understanding is to waste time. “Learning it in parrot fashion serves no benefit; time is lost and no benefit is accrued,” according to them.
Our response is that Allah and His Rasool (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) have declared it to be beneficial. They have promised reward over it, although it is not on par in benefit to learning with understanding; but you have the audacity to say that there is no benefit in it!!! Who should we regard to be correct!? People say that we should plan to earn. This is absolutely correct. This is our purpose with the Qur’aan; to earn the Aakhirat, where there will be dire needs. A person will run helter-skelter just for one good deed, and then too, he will hardly get what he wants. Friends! In these times only the Kalaamullah has remained with Muslims; nothing else. If you also leave this then what will remain? Treasure the words also, although the benefit is not equal to knowing the meanings.
In regard to this benefit Nabi Kareem (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said that for every letter [recited of the Qur’aan] you receive ten rewards. He furthermore said: “I am not saying that Alif Laam Meem is one letter. In fact, Alif is one letter, Laam is one letter and Meem is one letter.”
So, by merely reciting Alif Laam Meem you receive thirty rewards. And according to some Ulama you receive ninety rewards. How? In this manner: the Alif in Alif Laam Meem represents three letters, namely, Alif, Laam and Faa. In lieu of each letter ten rewards are gained. Similarly, thirty rewards are for Laam [which is made up of Laam, Alif and Meem], and similarly thirty for Meem [which is made up of Meem, Yaa and another Meem]. Thus, the total is ninety.
Where will you find such a market place? Give a flower and you receive a bouquet! He takes half a life and gives back a hundred What never even crossed the mind He awards
All right, leave this view aside which is not popular; take the first interpretation of thirty rewards. Now consider that you receive thirty rewards in cash. However, in the Aakhirat this will multiply to who knows how much!?
It comes in the Hadeeth Shareef that Allah Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ala nurtures sadqah [charity] of one date like people bring up their young animals in this world. Thus, there are people whose few actions in this world will appear in thawaab as big as mountains. They will say: “We didn’t do so many deeds!?” The answer they will be given is: “This is Our attribute of nurturing and careful upbringing. Once you did the action and stopped, from that time onwards We made it prosper and grow. Today you can see the results.”
Here an action is done. It grows and increases. There [in the Aakhirat] in some cases merely by wishing, there will be promotion without any action even being carried out. In this regard it comes in the Hadeeth that a person will remain in Hellfire after all and he will scream for relocation to the door of Hell. “I want to be away from the extreme heat and vehement flames here.” He will be transferred to the Gate of Hellfire.
His next desire will be for his face to be turned away from Hellfire. This will also be granted. Now he will see the beautiful trees and scenery of Jannat. He will become restless and say: “Put me close to the trees. I won’t go any further.” This will also be granted. In short, he will be granted entry into Jannat. And he will be given a Jannat ten times the size of what he merely wished for.
So, if you receive thirty rewards [through the recitation of just three letters of the Glorious Qur’aan] and there [in the Aakhirat] there is a huge increase in multiplication what gross profit will one then receive!?
When this is the reward for reciting three letters then what is the reward for reciting the whole Qur’aan!? And what is the product of the multiplication!?
