"Do they not contemplate the Quran? Or do hearts have their locks upon them?"
Quran 47:24
This passage, drawn from the 24th surah, Muhammad, is one of several passages (4:82; 23:68) in the Quran that ask a similar question: are followers actually studying the Quran? Nasr, as always, provides essential context in the notes from the Study Quran:
"Although recitation of the Quran is enjoined in several passages, it is also noted that one must contemplate, understand, and implement the Quran's teachings to the best of one's ability. In this vein, Ibn Mas'ud is reported to have said of the Companions, 'The Prophet used to recite for them ten verses, and they would not move on to the next ten until they had learned everything about [the first ten]. Thus he taught them the Quran and the deeds based upon it together.' Regarding the knowledge to be obtain by meditating upon the Quran, the fourth Shiite Imam, Ali Zayn al-Abidin, is reported to have said, 'The verses of the Quran are stores of treasure. So whenever you open one of them, you must see what lies inside.' Another famous hadith says, 'The best of you is one who learns the Quran and teaches it.'"
In Islam we use the term Hafiz to refer to someone who has memorized the Quran (Hafiza for a woman who has memorized it). During Ramadan the entire Quran is recited in Arabic, one section a night, until it completed, and we usually bring in a visiting Hafiz to stay with us the entire month. I don't speak Arabic, but it is a moving experience, coming at the end of the day; although, truthfully, I don't hang around until the end on most nights. That said, is it possible that we devote more time to memorizing it than studying it? Our new Imam has started a nightly study session, which I should start attending, although, sadly, I haven't (it doesn't help that it's around ten every night, after I'm in bed reading). Now, I suppose that all religions must struggle with this question in one form are another. Some religions or divisions inside of religions are more well-known for battling away over the deeper meaning of their scripture; Jews and Jesuits would be great examples. If you're not studying your texts, and I would argue challenging them, are you we really working at our faith or simply memorizing things, a much more comfortable existence.
Quran 47:24
This passage, drawn from the 24th surah, Muhammad, is one of several passages (4:82; 23:68) in the Quran that ask a similar question: are followers actually studying the Quran? Nasr, as always, provides essential context in the notes from the Study Quran:
"Although recitation of the Quran is enjoined in several passages, it is also noted that one must contemplate, understand, and implement the Quran's teachings to the best of one's ability. In this vein, Ibn Mas'ud is reported to have said of the Companions, 'The Prophet used to recite for them ten verses, and they would not move on to the next ten until they had learned everything about [the first ten]. Thus he taught them the Quran and the deeds based upon it together.' Regarding the knowledge to be obtain by meditating upon the Quran, the fourth Shiite Imam, Ali Zayn al-Abidin, is reported to have said, 'The verses of the Quran are stores of treasure. So whenever you open one of them, you must see what lies inside.' Another famous hadith says, 'The best of you is one who learns the Quran and teaches it.'"
In Islam we use the term Hafiz to refer to someone who has memorized the Quran (Hafiza for a woman who has memorized it). During Ramadan the entire Quran is recited in Arabic, one section a night, until it completed, and we usually bring in a visiting Hafiz to stay with us the entire month. I don't speak Arabic, but it is a moving experience, coming at the end of the day; although, truthfully, I don't hang around until the end on most nights. That said, is it possible that we devote more time to memorizing it than studying it? Our new Imam has started a nightly study session, which I should start attending, although, sadly, I haven't (it doesn't help that it's around ten every night, after I'm in bed reading). Now, I suppose that all religions must struggle with this question in one form are another. Some religions or divisions inside of religions are more well-known for battling away over the deeper meaning of their scripture; Jews and Jesuits would be great examples. If you're not studying your texts, and I would argue challenging them, are you we really working at our faith or simply memorizing things, a much more comfortable existence.
No comments:
Post a Comment