What are the Rights of Quran Upon Muslims and its Importance?

The Quran occupies a sacred and singular place in the life of every Muslim. This is the word of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), over 1,400 years ago. More than just a religious book, the Quran gives one a master plan for a righteous and meaningful life. Such a book carries certain responsibilities of Muslims to the Quran on how they must treat it, respect it, and live by its preachings. For this blog, we are narrowing down to focusing on the basic rights of the Quran in Islam, the importance of the Quran in Islam, and the responsibility that Muslims owe to it.

What are the rights of the Quran in Islam?

The Quran, the last revelation of Allah to people, possesses certain rights for Muslims. These are not ritualistic rights but are very closely related to how Muslims treat them in daily life. The main rights of the Quran in Islam are as follows:

1. The Right to be Recited and Read Daily: The Quran has the right of constant recitation. This means one is intended to engage with the Quran each day through recitation at times of Salah or in solitude while reflecting. Reciting the Quran connects the person to Allah and fortifies faith.
2. Right to being Understood: Muslims are supposed to seek understanding of the meanings of the Quran. The Quran is revealed for guidance and not for mere recitation. Thus, Muslims should reflect on the teachings, interpret their messages, and then apply them in their life.
3. The Right to Be Memorized: Memorizing the Quran, or at least parts of it, is a practice highly encouraged in Islam. The tradition of memorization is a way to preserve the words of the Quran and to internalize its guidance. Many Muslims look forward to becoming Hafiz (a person who has memorized the entire Quran) as his or her title of great respect in the Muslim community.
4. The Right to Be Obeyed: The rights of the Quran upon Muslims include the right to be obeyed in private life as well as in public life. Muslims are bound to perform everything according to the principles that the Quran has taught and commanded. Islamic principles serve as a guide for Muslims in matters of worship, social conduct, ethics, and jurisprudence.

The Importance of the Quran in Islam

1. Word of Allah: The Quran is the word direct from Allah to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is the purest word of divine wisdom authenticated from God Almighty, being the final message sent to humanity to confirm and complete previous scriptures. Therefore, in terms of authority, no other guidance exists to surpass what is found in Islam for its followers.
2. Spiritual Guidance: The Quran is a spiritual guide that tells Muslims the Importance of the Quran in Islam and how to live morally sound lives. From the singularity of God in Tawhid to moral behavior, down to rules for personal development and social coexistence, the Quran touches on most aspects of life. Muslim teachings from the Quran help keep their spirituality strong before Allah.
3. Legal and Ethical Framework: The Quran is a source of Islamic law, often known as Sharia, which embraces principles of justice, equality, and fairness. It also incorporates subjects like charity, marriage, inheritance, and personal conduct and establishes an overall ethical and legal framework for practice by Muslims.
4. Contact with the Supreme Being: Each time a Muslim recites the Quran, he or she contacts Allah. It is in recitation that one seeks forgiveness, reflects on one’s actions, and receives comfort in difficult times. Hence, the Quran acts as a means of drawing people closer to their God.

Muslim Duties Towards the Quran

There are several rights of the Quran upon Muslims; besides reading it. These are necessary for the proper and respectful handling of the Quran and are very essential in growing spiritually. Some of the major Muslim Duties Towards the Quran include:

1. Learning and Reciting the Quran Properly: 

One of the primary duties of Muslims is the learning of correct pronunciation (Tajweed) of the Quran. The act of reciting the Quran in the way it was revealed is considered sacred, and Muslims are advised to exert their fullest for the perfection of recitation.

2. Reflection of the Verses: 

It doesn’t fulfill the rights of reciting the Quran if one doesn’t understand its meaning. Muslims are advised to reflect on the verses of the Quran, know what they say, and perform according to their ideologies. In that way, reflection makes the Quran a book and not just an ordinary book of words or sentences.

3. Teaching the Quran: 

Muslims are obligated to transfer the knowledge of the Quran to the following generations. Whether it is done in the form of institutional classes, individual study, or community teaching, ensuring that the message of the Quran is preserved and understood by the next generation is a fundamental duty.

4. Acting According to the Teachings: 

The Quran is a source not only of knowledge but also a guide for practical life. Muslims should act according to the moral and ethical guidelines outlined in the Quran in every walk of life from personal relationships to participation in the community. This includes fulfilling Allah’s commands, refraining from prohibitions, and assuming the essence of benevolence, patience, and justice.

Respecting the Quran in Islam

The Quran is accorded all reverent places in Islam, and Muslims are to show utmost respect towards it, both physically and spiritually. The Quran is the word of Allah, and respecting the Quran in Islam needs to be maintained at all costs. Some ways the Muslim shows his respect towards the Quran are:

1. The Quran must be kept in a clean place and handled by a person having clean hands; handling the Quran without the performance of Wudu is forbidden, as it signifies spiritual impurity while dealing with the Holy Book.
2. The Quran must never be laid on the ground or in a dirty place. It is customary to lay the Quran in a high place, meaning it is held in high regard.
3. During recitation of the Quran, listeners are required to listen attentively to the words and reflect on what they have just heard. This attitude of respect allows for listening, understanding, and also internalization by the hearts.
4. Muslims should not do anything that tends to offend the Quran. This includes avoiding steps to trivialize the message of the Quran or even misappropriating it in a bid to pursue malice steps that violate its principles.

Conclusion

The Quran has immense rights for Muslims, and fulfilling the rights of the Quran upon Muslims is a lifelong responsibility. In due course, as recitation gave way to reflection, respect for its sanctity became living by its words. Muslims should treat the Quran with reverence and commitment. Honoring the Quran puts them closer to Allah and guides their righteous life. It is an integral part of being a true Muslim and ensures the divine guidance provided by the Quran remains a light in the lives of generations yet to come.