The Veneration of the Mighty Qur'an

Imam Al-Bayhaqi

This is done by learning and teaching it, and memorising and respecting its laws and provisions, and knowing thereby what is permissible and what is forbidden, and also by honouring those who understand and have memorised it, and by making oneself aware of Allah’s promises and threats which inspire weeping.

Allah Most High has said: Had We sent this Qur’an down upon a mountain you would have seen it humbled, rent asunder from the fear of Allah, [59:21] and: Assuredly, it is a generous Qur’an, in a book kept hidden, which none touches save the purified; a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds, [56:77-80] and: Had it been possible for a Qur’an to cause the mountains to move, or the earth to be torn asunder, or the dead to speak – but Allah’s is the whole command. [13:31]

The Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) said, in a hadith narrated by Bukhari on the authority of `Uthman ibn `Affan (radiyallahu `anhu): "The best of you is he who learns and teaches the Qur’an." He also said, as reported by Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Abu Musa al-Ash`ari: "Hold fast constantly to this Qur’an, for by Him in Whose hand lies the soul of Muhammad, it escapes from one more easily than does a camel from its hobbling-cord."

They also relate the following on the authority of Ibn `Umar (radiyallahu `anhu): "Envy is permissible only in respect of two men: one whom Allah gives his book, and who stands reciting it day and night, and a man whom Allah gives wealth, which he gives in charity day and night."

Muslim relates on the authority of `Umar (radiyallahu `anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "Truly, through this book Allah exalts some people, and abases others."