258- Al-Qur’an al-Karim and the Month of Ramadan (Series: Inviting Reflections)

What is the relationship between the month of Ramadan and the Holy Qur’an? Allah says:

"?????? ????????? ??????? ??????? ????? ?????????? ????? ??????????" (Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind). Surah: 2, Verse: 185; and: 

 "?????? ???????????? ??? ???????? ????????"(We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night of Power (laila tul-qadr-a night in last ten days of Ramadan). Surah: 97, Verse: 1 

Bayhaqi in his celebrated book: Shu’ub al-Eman and Ahmad b. Humbal in: Musnad have reported that the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him said that Ibrahim A.S. was given his book on 1st of Ramadan, Moses A.S. on 7th, Holy Christ A.S. on 14th; and, the Holy Qur’an was revealed in one of the odd nights from the last ten days of Ramadan. The Qur’an says:

 "??? ???????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ?????????? ?????????? ????? ?????? ????? ????????? ??? ?????????? ??????????? ??????????" (O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint). Surah: 2, Verse: 183. The fasting has been made mandatory for the Muslims as it has been made mandatory for the fore-going nations. In the famous collection of ahadith: Sahih al-Bukhari, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is reported to have said: “Who recites the Qur’an in Ramadan will be recompensed seventy times more than the other days”.

In addition to laying special emphasis on reciting the Holy Qur’an in Ramadan; Muhammad, peace be upon him, also taught the prerequisites of fasting that a fasting person should not be harsh to anyone. If one is forced to respond to mistreatment of someone then the fasting person should say that “I am fasting” or one should be silent as the month of Ramadan is a training period and a “Refresher Course” for the coming rest of the year. 

It should also be noted that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, started Taraweh prayers from 2nd A.H. and recited whole Qur’an which was revealed up to that time every year. For the preservation of the last and eternal message of Allah: Al-Qur’an al-Karim, the Prophet, peace be upon him, took two-fold measures. At different occasions he, peace be upon him, appointed 65 Scribes of Wa?y :  ?????? ??? whose duty was to record the Wa?y : revelation using articles of writing of the day; and, the other arrangement was to get it memorized by the Companions R.A. A great number of Companions R.A. who were the permanent Residents of the Bench: ????? ??????, were always waiting for the new revelations. Such measures have not been taken by any other prophet in order to safeguard and preserve the revelation from any corruption and adulteration. 

The literal meaning of the word “Qur’an” is such a thing which is read widely and abundantly; and, the Holy Qur’an, being the only one from among 315 Revealed Books or Religious Scriptures, which can be memorized; and, there are millions of huffaz (memorizers) of this book.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is reported to have named (the first night of the month Shawwal (following Ramadan) as: "???? ???????" the Night of Reward) and that it should not be wasted in doing preparations for ‘Eid only. The supplications and worship in this night will be recompensed more than other nights.  

It is suggested that during Ramadan, at least one Part (Parah) of the Qur’an along with its translation and explanatory notes (tafsir) should be read daily by all Muslims.  

There is good news for those who act in accordance with the dictates of the Qur’an and a warning for those who do not pay any heed to the eternal teachings. Allah says:

"??????????? ???? ?????????? ??? ???? ??????? ?????????? ???????????????? ? ????? ??????? ????????????? ?????? ????????"  (We (Allah) send down (stage by stage) in the Qur′an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe: to the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss). Surah: 17, Verse: 82

It is surprising that many a people, even though they have the capacity to understand, they do not come to the Divine Guidance. It is exclaimed:

 "??????? ?????????????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????????????" (Will they not ponder the Qur’an? Or, are there locks upon their hearts?) Surah: 47, Verse: 24.