Who is the Qur’an for, anyway?

 

Every now and then, I hear expressions by people who feel that they that whenever they are “slacking” from their relationship with Qur’an - they stopped memorizing, reciting and/or learning the Book of Allah - they then console themselves with the thought that “oh well, at least my child is memorizing”. Bagi sedap hati. Masha Allah, alhamdulillah. 

One time, I remember discussing with a friend the importance of memorizing Qur'an and the powerful, transformative impact it can have on our lives. His response? 

"okay. I will send my son to memorize Qur'an" 

But if this is our way of consoling ourselves, and the attitude of dismissing and delegating to our children, then it reveals a fundamental problem in understanding the purpose of the Qur’an: Who is the Qur’an for, anyway? 

If we feel complacent when our household has a relationship with the Qur’an, we are approaching the Qur’an as if it’s something you can outsource or “sub-conned” to another party. That as long as “somebody in my household” is doing it, then I’m okay. That’s like an unemployed person who puts no effort, giving the excuse that “it’s okay, at least my cousin’s got a job”. Or an overweight individual who refuses to exercise, but consoles himself by saying “well, at least my wife exercises”. 

Once you console yourself this way, then you have let yourself off the hook. You have refused responsibility and taking ownership for yourself. 

The Qur’an isn’t something you just subcon like an e-hailing app. The Qur’an was sent for YOU. Your guidance, your source of inspiration, motivation, comfort and development. Your source of barakah. Your means of success in dunya and akhirah. If you abandon it, you are only cheating yourself and depriving yourself from these blessings. 

If you really have been slacking off, it would be better to just humble yourself and admit, “you know what? I am slacking. I am doing a lousy job. And I dislike this state that I am in. And I genuinely want to put in the effort to improve, and I pray and beg Allah that He Helps me in this endeavor”. 

Don't need to get defensive, or justify our inaction. Use this healthy guilt to inspire you to step up and take action. Take the baby steps to improve. Reach out. Find a teacher or friend who can help you in Qur'an. Aim for Progress, not perfection. 

AND, on top of that, enrol your children to learn Qur'an at the same time. 

Yes, no doubt, that if someone else does good because of your guidance - i.e. you send your children or spouse to good Qur’an lessons or courses - then you do get that reward. Yes, there’s that, insha Allah.

But don’t let shaitan trick you into convincing yourself to justify your inaction or non-productivity by giving yourselves reasons to be even MORE inactive and unproductive!

Let's make the best of our lives - especially this coming Ramadhan - get back on track and renew our relationships with the Book of Allah. 

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُمْ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

“O Mankind! There has come to you, good advice from your Lord,

And a healing for that (diseases) in your breasts;

A Guidance and a Mercy for those who believe” (Surah Yunus, 57)