Understanding the virtues of memorizing the Quran can significantly boost the spirits and motivation of those intending to commit Allah’s words to memory. Many still fail to grasp the profound importance of memorizing the Quran and the nobility associated with this act.
Around you, there may still be people who consider memorizing the Quran as unimportant because the Quran is essentially in Arabic, and memorizing it implies memorizing something without understanding it. Some prefer using translations to comprehend the Quran’s content and apply it in their lives.
However, this viewpoint cannot be entirely endorsed. There are virtues of memorizing the Quran that deserve recognition. Memorizing the Quran is, in fact, considered a collective obligation (fardhu kifayah), meaning that at least one person in a village or community should memorize the Quran.
If there is already one Quran memorizer, the obligation is fulfilled for the entire community. But if there is no Quran memorizer in a community, then all its inhabitants bear a collective sin.
Now, let’s delve into the virtues of memorizing the Quran:
1. Becoming the Sahibul Quran (Bearer of the Quran)
A person who memorizes the Quran becomes a Sahibul Quran, signifying someone who has memorized the Quran within their heart. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Let the one who leads you in prayer be the one who is most knowledgeable of the Book of Allah.”
In the Hereafter, one’s position in paradise will be determined by the amount of Quran they have committed to memory, not just by how often they read it. The more one memorizes, the higher their rank in paradise. However, the condition is a sincere intention to please Allah throughout the memorization process.
2. Intercession on the Day of Judgment
No human being is free from committing sins, and this includes Quran memorizers. Nonetheless, one of the virtues of memorizing the Quran is the possibility of seeking intercession from Allah on the Day of Judgment through the Quran they have memorized. A Quran memorizer may receive divine assistance due to their dedication to memorizing the Quran during their earthly life.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, “Recite the Quran, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection.” (Sahih Muslim)
3. Among the Best of People
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated, “The best among you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.” Memorizing the Quran implies learning it. Quran memorizers continually reinforce their recitation, which is an integral part of their journey. Therefore, they are indeed among the best of people.
4. Guardians of the Authenticity of the Quran
Another virtue of memorizing the Quran is the role Quran memorizers play in preserving the Quran’s purity and authenticity. The Quran has always been safeguarded by those who commit it to memory. This responsibility began in the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and continues through Quran memorizers today. Despite the efforts of those who oppose Islam, the Quran’s integrity is maintained.
5. Preferred as Prayer Leaders
When selecting an imam for congregational prayer, preference should be given to the individual with the most significant portion of the Quran memorized. This is one of the privileges Quran memorizers enjoy in the world.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned, “The person with the most Quran should be given preference. If they are equal in their recitation, then the one most knowledgeable of the Sunnah. A man should not lead another in prayer at the latter’s place of authority.” (Ahmad)
6. Accompanied by Angels
Angels are Allah’s most obedient creations. Those who read and memorize the Quran are continually accompanied by these noble beings. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “A person who recites and memorizes the Quran is in the company of the noble and obedient angels. As for a person who reads the Quran and finds it difficult to recite, they will have a double reward.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)
7. Crowned in the Hereafter
On the Day of Judgment, the Quran will approach those who memorized it, requesting adornments. In response, Allah will bestow upon the memorizers a crown of honor. This crown represents divine recognition and distinction. In another narration, the Quran will also ask Allah for raiments of glory. Allah will grant these to the memorizers. These treasures exceed the value of the entire world.
8. Parents of Memorizers Receive Crowns of Light
Moreover, the parents of Quran memorizers also receive divine rewards. They are adorned with crowns of light, radiating more brilliantly than the sun. The virtues of memorizing the Quran extend beyond the memorizers themselves to their parents.
9. Continual Reward for Reading the Quran
Reciting the Quran is a virtuous act in itself, carrying tremendous rewards. Every letter of the Quran yields tenfold benefits. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) affirmed this by saying,
“Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a ten-fold reward. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter.” (Sunan at-Tirmidhi)
Hence, the virtues of memorizing the Quran encompass the ability to earn rewards for recitation from any part of the Quran, regardless of having access to the physical Quran. With this knowledge, one can be further motivated to engage in Quran memorization.
10. Fundamental Knowledge of Islam
The primary source of Islamic jurisprudence is the Quran and the Hadith. Having committed the Quran to memory provides a foundational understanding of Islamic knowledge, enabling individuals to readily explore Islamic teachings. Memorizers can easily draw upon Quranic verses as evidence, illustrating a deep grasp of religious matters.
Ibn Abd al-Barr stated, “The pursuit of knowledge involves stages and levels, and whoever traverses them has walked in the path of the righteous predecessors (salaf). The foremost step in seeking knowledge is to memorize the Book of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, and to understand it.”
11. A Foundation for Spreading the Faith
Dawah (the propagation of Islam) is a duty for all Muslims. Spreading the message of Allah on earth necessitates a sufficient knowledge of the religion. A virtue of memorizing the Quran is that it equips individuals with the foundational knowledge needed for conveying the message of Islam effectively.
With Quranic memorization, one can teach the Quran, particularly to the younger generation of Muslims. As mentioned earlier, the best individuals are those who learn the Quran and teach it. This principle provides memorizers with the resources to impart their knowledge to others and thus spread the faith.
In conclusion, these virtues of memorizing the Quran serve as powerful incentives for individuals to embark on this noble journey. May this information inspire greater enthusiasm and motivation for those seeking to memorize the Quran.
