The Purpose of Recitation Is Dhikr and Tadabbur

المقصد من القراءة الذكر والتدبر

The Purpose of Recitation Is Dhikr and Tadabbur

Translated by: Reza Ervani bin Asmanu

This article, “The Purpose of Recitation Is Dhikr and Tadabbur,” is included in the Islamic Questions and Answers Category

السؤال

Question:

عند قراءتي آية الكرسي أو غيرها عند الصباح أو قبل النوم، لا أتمعن في معانيها، بل أقرؤها بشكل سريع، وذلك لكثرة قراءتي لها. فما الحكم؟ وشكرًا.

When I recite Ayat al-Kursi or other verses in the morning or before going to sleep, I do not reflect deeply on their meanings. Rather, I recite them quickly because I have read them so many times. What is the ruling on this? Thank you.

الإجابــة

Answer:

الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله، وعلى آله وصحبه، أما بعد:

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, and his Companions. To proceed:

فقد قال الإمام النووي ‎-‎رحمه الله ‎-‎ اعلم أن تلاوة القرآن هي أفضل الأذكار، والمطلوب القراءة بالتدبر‎…‎ .

Imam an-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “Know that recitation of the Qur’an is the best form of dhikr, and what is sought is recitation accompanied by tadabbur…”

وقال: ينبغي للقارئ أن يكون شأنه الخشوع والتدبر والخضوع، فهذا هو المقصود المطلوب، وبه تنشرح الصدور وتستنير القلوب، ودلالته أكثر من أن تحصر، وأشهر من أن تذكر. وقد بات جماعة من السلف يتلو الواحد منهم آية واحدة ليلة كاملة، ومعظم ليلة يتدبرها عند القراءة.

He also said: “The reciter should be characterized by humility, tadabbur, and submission while reciting. This is the intended and sought-after purpose. Through it, hearts are opened and illuminated. The evidences for this are too numerous to be counted and too well known to require mention. A number of the Salaf would spend an entire night, or most of a night, reciting a single verse and reflecting upon it as they recited.”

وقال أيضاً في كتابه الأذكار: المراد من الذكر حضور القلب، فينبغي أن يكون هو مقصود الذاكر، فيحرص على تحصيله، ويتدبر ما يذكر، ويتعقل معناه. فالتدبر في الذكر مطلوب، كما هو مطلوب في القراءة لاشتراكهما في المعنى المقصود‎…‎إلخ.

He also said in his book al-Adhkar: “What is intended by dhikr is the presence of the heart. This should therefore be the aim of the person engaging in dhikr. He should strive to attain it, reflect upon what he is saying, and understand its meaning. Tadabbur in dhikr is sought just as it is sought in Qur’an recitation, because both share the same intended purpose…” and so on.

ومما يدل على أهمية التدبر لآيات القرآن قوله تعالى:

Among the evidences indicating the importance of reflecting upon the verses of the Qur’an is the statement of Allah Most High:

كِتَابٌ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ [ص:٢٩].

“This is a blessed Book which We have revealed to you so that they may reflect upon its verses and so that people of understanding may take heed.” (Surah Sad, verse 29)

وقد عاب الله على قوم لا يتدبرون القرآن فقال:

Allah criticized those who do not reflect upon the Qur’an, saying:

أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَى قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا [محمد:٢٤]،

“Do they not then reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks upon their hearts?” (Surah Muhammad, verse 24),

وقال تعالى:

and He Most High says:

لَوْ أَنْزَلْنَا هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَى جَبَلٍ لَرَأَيْتَهُ خَاشِعًا مُتَصَدِّعًا مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ [الحشر:٢١]

“Had We sent down this Qur’an upon a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbled and splitting apart from fear of Allah.” (Surah al-Hashr, verse 21)

ومن هنا نقول للسائل الكريم: احرص على التدبر والتأمل والخشوع عند قراءتك لآية الكرسي وغيرها، ففي القراءة بطمأنينة راحة للنفس وطمأنينة لها، كما قال تعالى:

Accordingly, we say to the respected questioner: Strive to practice tadabbur, reflection, and humility when reciting Ayat al-Kursi and other verses. Reciting calmly brings comfort and tranquility to the soul, as Allah Most High says:

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُمْ بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ [الرعد: ٢٨].

“Those who believe and whose hearts find tranquility in the remembrance of Allah. Surely, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find tranquility.” (Surah ar-Ra’d, verse 28)

وكثرة قراءتك لذلك لا تبرر قراءتها بدون تمعن، لأن القرآن الكريم، وكلام الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم الكريم مليئان بالفوائد والعبر والمعاني، فقد يظهر لك معنى قد خفي عليك لزمن طويل. وهذا مجرب.

The fact that you recite these verses frequently does not justify reciting them without reflection, because the Noble Qur’an and the words of the Messenger ﷺ are filled with benefits, lessons, and meanings. A meaning that remained hidden from you for a long time may suddenly become clear to you, and this is something that has been experienced.

وقد تكون هذه آخر قراءة تقرؤها، كما قال صلى الله عليه وسلم:

This recitation may even be the last one you ever make, just as the Prophet ﷺ said:

“وصل صلاة مودع”. رواه ابن ماجه والحاكم،.

“Pray the prayer of one who is bidding farewell.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah and al-Hakim),

مع أن المسلم يصلي كل يوم خمس مرات

even though a Muslim prays five times every day.

والله أعلم.

And Allah knows best.

Source: IslamWeb