By: Dr. KH. Abdur Rahman Dahlan, MA.
Chairman of PB Al-Wasliyah, Member of the MUI Fatwa Commission
As believers, believing is as part of faith, Qur’an is a guide for mankind to live safely in this world and the hereafter. It also includes instructions for us to consume halal food, and avoid illegal products. “O people! Eat of what is on earth, Lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of the evil one, for he is to you an avowed enemy. ” (QS. Al-Baqarah, 2: 168).
More specifically, Allah commands us believers, “O ye who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him ye worship. ” (QS. Al-Baqarah, 2: 172). Allah has also explained about the ingredients that are forbidden and should be avoided, among them: “He hath only forbidden you dead meat, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name hath been invoked besides that of Allah. But if one is forced by necessity, without wilful disobedience, nor transgressing due limits,- then is he guiltless. For Allah is Oft-forgiving Most Merciful.” (QS. Al-Baqarah, 2: 173).
In addition, Allah has also commanded us in the Qur’an: “O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters.” (QS. Al-A’raf, 7:31). In fact, many health experts say, various diseases arise due to excessive consumption of food. Such as obesity, cholesterol, diabetes, heart, and so on. And we believers, in particular, have been warned to avoid this reprehensible behaviour since more than 14 centuries ago.
Al-Qur’an as Medicine
Al-Qur’an is also a medicine for various diseases in humans, spiritually that are in the heart, human heart; also physically, physically. Allah says “We 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 Al-Israa ‘, 17: 82).
From the verse, scholars explained, all the verses of the Qur’an are medicines that can heal. However, there are some verses or surahs from the Al-Qur’an that are more specific because they have virtues as a healing medicine, for example the letter Al-Fatihah. Shaykh Muhammad Al-Amin Asy-Syinqithi explained that the meaning of medicine in the verse is medicine for physical as well as mental illness. He said “Medicine which includes medicine for heart / mental illness, such as doubt, hypocrisy, and other matters. It can be a medicine for the body if ruqyah is done to a sick person. As the story of someone who was stung by a scorpion, he was forced to read Al-Fatihah. This is an authentic and famous story ”(Adhwaul Bayan Tafseer).
A person who follows the guidance of the Qur’an is sure that his soul will be calm: “We did send messengers before thee, and appointed for them wives and children: and it was never the part of a messenger to bring a sign except as Allah permitted (or commanded). For each period is a Book (revealed).” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:28).
Life becomes peaceful, full of optimism, there is no feeling of despair, and only surrender, depending on Allah Almighty: “Surely those who say:” Our Lord is Allah “then they confirm their stance, then angels will come down to them. saying, “In the case of those who say, “Our Lord is Allah”, and, further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them (from time to time): “Fear ye not!” (they suggest), “Nor grieve! but receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss), which ye were promised!” (Surah Fushshilat, 41: 30). People whose souls are calm, their heart will undoubtedly be healthy. And if the heart is healthy, blood circulation becomes smooth and the body will be healthy too, insya Allah.
A person who surrenders, trusts in Allah, surely his personality will not be torn because it depends on the creature who is deified. The polytheists are usually like that, their dependence on those other than Allah. So as to be busy to serve the various wills requested by the creature that he considers to be the god. But on the other hand, if he depends only on God alone, then his life will be comfortable, because his trust becomes full, can focus on God alone, the Almighty.
But in reality it is not as described in the verses of the Qur’an. Because, instead of understanding the Qur’an, not reading it. Even if he reads and understands it, but does not appreciate it, nor does he practice it, then how can his soul be healthy.
Clearly the Qur’an is a guide for the life of this world and the hereafter. Not just the hereafter. Like living afiat with a healthy heart, it will be felt and enjoyed in life in the world we live in today.
So we need to be reminded that we meditate, also implement the evocative expression: Back to the Qur’an. Meaning let’s go back to recitation, read the Qur’an intensively. Get back in touch with the Qur’an, which may have been neglected a lot, or even ignored. Go back to learning its meaning, and practice its contents wholeheartedly.
According to scholars, the meaning of the Qur’an itself in Ta’rifi (terminology), as mentioned in the Book of At-Tibyan fi ‘Ulumil-Qur’an, by Shaykh Muhammad Ali Ash-Shobuni is “Kalamullah who is you’ jizat, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad saw., with the intermediary of the angel Jibril Al-Amin, and written on the mushafs which were then conveyed to us in mutawatir and read as worship, which begins with the letter of al-Fatihah and ends with the letter of An-Naas ” .
If we look at the living conditions of our society, the majority of whom are Muslims, there are often social conflicts, for example. Away from peace and a comfortable life. So that can be confirmed, because most of them do not read, understand, let alone appreciate the guidance of the Qur’an. Moreover, practicing the guidance of the Qur’an which should be a guide in our lives that declares ourselves to be believers. Just reading it is not necessarily prolonged, it is not done regularly.
Getting Intercession with Quran, Not from the Newspapers or Chatting
We can see that many people who claim to be Muslim often open and read text on WhatsApp, rather than the Quran. A person’s phone was low on the net and died for a few hours. When it was turned on again, hundreds of WhatsApp chat entered, and all of them were relatively devoured. While he has spent 24 hours in his life, it seems that he may not even read a single verse of the Quran. Even for days his life was left empty from the chanting of the holy verse.
It is very ironic. Many people feel that they lose information if they are late in reading a newspaper, but instead they are just cool even though they don’t read the Quran, for days, weeks, even months. There is indeed a Quran in his house. But they are kept neatly on top of the cupboard, until they are gray with dust, because for so long no one has touched them. It is not opened, not even touched. In fact, the Quran provides essential information and guidance on the way to save the world until later.
In fact, very often people wake up and immediately read chat (WhatsApp), while reading the Koran, who knows when, or even sometimes, they don’t think. Until finally the body is wrapped in a shroud, then the Qur’an is read to him. If so, that would be very much to miss! Even though it is clear, people who are diligent in reading, God willing, will receive intercession in the Hereafter, in a moment: “Read the Koran, in fact he will come on the Day of Resurrection to intercede for those who read it.” (HR. Muslim). It is not just reading the Qur’an in a literal way, but also understanding and practicing it. Because without reading Quran, it is impossible for us to understand it, let alone put it into practice. Apart from Rasulllah, no one is able to give intercession, help to someone in the Hereafter, except for the Quran, which was read while a Muslim was living in the world.
Attitudes Must Be Corrected and Improved
There is no record that read the chatting on WhatsApp, even though it is up to thousands of chats, can get intercession in the Hereafter which will definitely happen later. Most Muslim claim they are Muslim, but they do not cling firmly to Quran. In fact, many of them ignore it. Thus, it is our common duty to correct and correct this fatal mistake.
As already explained and understood, the Qur’an is a guide for the way in life. Now, if people do not want to recite it, and so do not understand its content, then how can one understand the instructions for life that have been given in Quran by Allah. Therefore, some scholars even oblige us who believe to be serious and diligent in reading, understanding and practicing the contents of the teachings of the Quran. Because the first revelation that Allah sent to Rasulullah was in the form of a command sentence: Iqro ‘, “read”. Many verses of the Quran and Hadith also instruct us to always read the Quran. Among them:
“Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created. Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood:” (Surah Al-‘Alaq, 96: 1-2). This commandment is even repeated in the next verse: “Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,-. He Who taught (the use of) the pen,- Taught man that which he knew not.” (Surah Al-‘Alaq, 96: 3-5).
Reading the Quran is simple, except for people whose hearts have been closed. Notice how Allah reminds us of how easy it is to read the Quran, in the verse: “And We have indeed made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?” (Surah Al-Qamar, 54: 17). Allah repeats this sentence four times in His glorious book. Everything we find in the letter Al-Qamar. This tells us that Allah really made the Qur’an easy to learn.
In another verse it is also explained, “… So He hath turned to you (in mercy): read ye, therefore, of the Qur’an as much as may be easy for you. He knoweth that there may be (some) among you in ill-health; others travelling through the land, seeking of Allah’s bounty; yet others fighting in Allah’s Cause, read ye, therefore, as much of the Qur’an as may be easy (for you); and establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity; and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan. And whatever good you send forth for your souls ye shall find it in Allah’s Presence, yea, better and greater, in Reward and seek ye the Grace of Allah: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. ” (Surah Al-Muzzammil, 73: 20). From the verse explained, there is no reason for a believer not to read the Quran. In sick condition, busy trying to find lawful sustenance, or even in conditions of jihad fi sabilillah which is very precarious, don’t leave reciting Quran.
Reading the Qur’an to Khatam
Therefore, the scholars always recommend to Muslims, all of us, to increase the reading of the Qur’an, until khatam (continuous-end), from beginning to end of the surah. As well as increase reading and memorizing it. Since the Quran is kalamullah, it is worship even only reciting it. And Allah loves the Muslim who read it.
In the past, Salaf scholars had a high spirit that varied. Some of them end up every day. Some are for three days, some are for a week and some end every month. It may end once a month, including the lowest spirits. Suppose a Muslim, all of us, do not diminish from it (end recitation, read the Qur’an once a month, as the position of the lowest value). Rasulullah saw. said to Abdullah bin Amr bin Ash, “Read the Qur’an every month.” (HR. Bukhari, in Chapter Fi Kam Yaqraul Qur’an, how many times read the Qur’an, and Muslim, hadith no. 1159).
Ibn Hazm said, “A Muslim who wants to be saved, should do something that is expected to overcome his sins and mistakes. He should get used to reading the Quran and be able to finish it once a month. If you can finish less than that, then it is better. “(Rasail Ibn Hazm, 3/150). Even the jurists of Hanbali asserted “Makruh (not legally forbidden but discouraged) to end khatam the Quran more than forty days without excuse. Imam Ahmad said, “Most of the time I hear, one should finish the Qur’an in forty days. Because it (does not end more than forty days) can forget it and underestimate it. “(Kasysyaful Qana, 1/430).
Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen was once asked, “Is it obligatory for a person who is fasting to finish the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan?” He also replied, “Indeed, finishing the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan is not obligatory. However, a believer (should) increase the reading of the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan, as it is the sunnah of the Prophet saw. “always repeat the recitation of the Quran with the angel Jibril in the month of Ramadan.” (Majmu Fatawa Ibn Uthaymeen)
Mentioned in the Hadith narrated from Ibn Abbas, he said: “Rasulullah was the most generous person, and he increased his generosity in the month of Ramadan when he met Jibril, and Jibril met him every night of the month of Ramadan to mudarosah (learn) the Quran. ” (HR. Al-Bukhari).
That is the way Rasulullah learned and read the Qur’an. Even directly monitored by Jibril. So it should motivate us even more to always strive to interact intensively with the Quran, by always reading, studying, understanding, appreciating and practicing it with sincerity. Until the provision of Allah arrives, we are in His pleasure, and get the intercession of the Quran in the Hereafter. (USM)
