Lectures Text

Recite The Quran Correctly

اَلْحَمْدُ ِﷲِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِیْنِ ۝ اَلصَّلوٰۃُ وَ السَّلاَم ُ عَلیٰ خَاتَمَ النَّبِیینِ ۝ اَمَّا بَعْدُ فَاَعُوذُ بِاﷲِ مِنَ الشَّیْطٰنِ الرَّجِیْمِ ۝ بِسْمِ اﷲِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ ۝ الم ذالک الکتاب لاریب فیہ ھدی اللمتقین ۝

(This Book has no doubt in it - guidance for the God-fearing)

وعن ابی سعید قال قال رسول اللہﷺ یقول الرب تبارک و تعالیٰ من شغلہ القرآن و ذکری عن مسئلتی اعطیتہ افضل ما اعطی السائلین و فضل کلام اللہ علی سآئرالکلام کفضل اللہ علیٰ خلقہ
( رواہ ترمذی )
وعن عائشتہ قالت قال رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ، الماھر باالقرآن مع السفرۃ الکرام البررۃ و الذی یقرا القرآن ویتتعتع فیہ وھو علیہ شاق لہ اجران
(رواہ مسلم)

Respected Elders And Friends

I have recited the first verse from the holy Quran which includes the very first word (الم), whose meanings are only known to Allah Almighty and our beloved Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam). Then it says,”This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah”.

The first of the two hadiths that I quoted, cites Hazrat Abu Saeed (RH) who had quoted the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) as saying, “Allah Almighty has declared that a person who because of his occupation with the Quran does find time find for supplications is rewarded the most. The Quran has an edge over all the other Divine scriptures as Allah Almighty; Who is superior to all His creations.

In the second hadith, Hazrat Ayyesha Siddiqa (RH) has quoted the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam),” An expert of the Quran is grouped with the superior angels. The one who struggles (because of learning or handicap) through the recitation of the Book receives twice the reward.

Connection/Relationship Matters

People like us are surely handicapped to comment about this Book of our Lord, Allah Almighty. Worth of an object is determined by its affinity and relationship. A brick in the wall of a mosque when compared to the brick in a toilet is far more sacred. Anything associated with a personage of honour is always held in high esteem. A piece from the sheath of the Holy Kabba becomes a proud possession and despite being a piece of cloth it is is revered because of its association to the Kabba. Plain dust from the vicinity of the resting place of the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) is treasured only because of the affinity.

Allah Almighty, Whom our eyes are incapable to see, in His magnanimity Has bestowed on us, certain things for solace and satisfaction. It is only through respect for these symbols that we can exhibit our love for Allah Almighty. These are the symbols of Allah Almighty (shaire Allah). Quran urges us to respect them and hold them in high esteem:-

ومن یعظم شعائر اﷲ فانھا من تقوی القلوب

(If one observes the sanctity of the symbols of Allah, then such things emanate from the piety of the hearts.) Al Hajj - 32

Quran itself is also a symbol of Allah Almighty like the Holy Kabba.

Respect of Symbols brings one closer to Allah Almighty

Prayers (sala’t) are also a symbol of Allah Almighty. Making circuits (tawa’f) of the holy Kabba symbolizes a lover going around his beloved. Most of our rituals and acts have been prescribed to begin from the right, but at the Kabba, circuit starts from the left. Why? It is because the heart is located on the left side. It must always remain closer to the Kabba so that blessings and Divine light can directly beam onto the heart. All these are affairs of love, known to the lovers.

These symbols were bestowed for the solace and satisfaction of those who are truly in love with Allah Almighty. It has been said that kissing the Black Stone (hajar e aswad) is like kissing the hand of Allah Almighty. A person touching his chest to the Multazum is like hugging Allah Almighty. Let me clarify that all these are only symbolic manifestations only to satiate feelings; otherwise Allah Almighty is beyond metaphor. The Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) would occasionally get water of the Zam Zam to Madina. This was only an expression of his love. So the respect and love of the symbols is to show love for Allah Almighty. We are lucky that the word of Allah Almighty in form of the Quran still exist. A time shall come that the Quran and Kabba will be lifted from the face of the earth. It shall be period of mischief and vices. May Allah Almighty protect and save us from those treacherous times. Ameen.

Recitation is never cumbersome

Any good book could at best be read twice and then it turns boring and cumbersome. Every reading reduces its pleasure to a stage when reading it any further becomes a burden. Being the word of Allah Almighty, it’s not so with the holy Quran. There are many lucky people who despite being ignorant of the meanings read the whole book daily. Some Hafizs (those who know the Quran by heart) also recite all of it, once a day. One of my blind teachers of the Quran, despite of his busy schedule of teaching the children would recite the whole Book once a day which speaks of his affection and love. One of my uncles worked with a person who had memorized the Quran by heart (hafiz). The moment he sat in a car, he would started reciting it and continue it during the journey. He would in one go recite up to fourteen Paras sometimes. I also know a gentleman, Maulana Abdullah Kakakhel, a professor in the Islamic University who was an ardent reader of the holy Book. The moment he was alone he would start reciting it, only stopping when someone came in for business. He would recite it aloud while driving and even when sleeping. His family members have narrated that his recitations while asleep were heard by others. This is a vivid manifestation of love for the Quran which cannot be gauged through our measures of rationality in vogue. In my reckoning this is the ultimate level of wisdom. True wisdom is the one which makes you recognize Allah Almighty. Our intellect does not have the capacity to understand such intricacies. Allama Iqbal would persistently cry while reciting the holy Book. Someone asked him as to how had he acquired this state. He replied that his father had advised to recite it as if it was transcending onto his heart.

None of us can measure up to the level of gratitude and respect needed for the Divine message nor can we fathom its blessings in totality.

Dividends are accrued without even knowing the meanings

Meanings of the first two letters of the Quran are only known to Allah Almighty and His Messenger (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam). The Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) had narrated that anyone reciting a letter from the holy Book is rewarded with ten virtues. And he (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) added that

" الم " is not one letter but these are three letters and thirty virtues are awarded for their recitation.

This indicates that recitation of letters whose meanings are unknown still carry their reward. So the blessings of holy Quran are not subjected to its understanding only. Its recitation is irrespectively rewarded; ten virtues for each alphabet.

The passage of Hadith that I recited in the beginning of my talk, explains that a person with expertise of the Quran will be in the company of the head clerks of the angles.

A person who recites it with difficulty and stammers is bestowed with two rewards; one for the recitation and other for his handicap and difficulty. No one is left out. Blessings of the Quran conveyed in the Hadith sufficiently highlight the rewards of reading the Quran.

Link of the followers with the Holy Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam)

There are three types of linkages that perpetuate between the Holy Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) and his (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) followers to this day. First are those who remember Quran by heart are linked to the heart of the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) through the successive chain of their teachers. Second are the learned scholars of the Hadith who gained the knowledge successively through their teachers going back all the way to the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam). This succession of the Hadith is safe guarded by the scholars. This is no ordinary matter to be linked to the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam).

Children are taught the ‘Set Theory’ in their schools. They are taught sets comprising of various things. Likewise imagine the stature of a set of people whose part is the holy Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam). He (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) is there amongst the Hafizs.

یداﷲعلی الجماعۃ

A group that includes the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) has the Hand of Allah Almighty over it.

A great teacher and compiler of the Hadith was dying. Ordinarily people around a dying person start reciting the Kalma to incite him to recite it as well. It has been narrated in the Hadith that a person whose last words are ‘Laillaha il Allah’ goes to the Heavens. The students around him were quiet out of sheer respect thinking that to pester him to recite kalma may be disrespectful. They were at the same time concerned that he may not part without its recitation. A clever student started narrating the Hadith which high lights the importance of kalma at the death bed. While he was naming the narrators of the hadith, the teacher recognized the Hadith (Shae Ibn e Haban) and recited the kalma at last and died peacefully. A little later the teacher appeared to someone in his dream. On being inquired as to what had happened to him after his death. He said that Allah Almighty made him sit and asked him to narrate the same Hadith. He started reciting in the order that it was conveyed. Every time a narrator was mentioned, Allah Almighty said that the truth was told till he named the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam); the same words were spoken by Allah Almighty. On being named Himself, Allah Almighty said that I spoke the truth and ordered him to enter the Paradise.

It is a matter of honour to be associated with this type of succession. People seek company of great teachers to verify the authenticity of the Hadiths that they know.

Succession is Effective

The third link for association with the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) is mysticism (tasaw’uf). This is a succession of the hearts. Like Hadith being a linkage of the words of the holy Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam), tasaw’uf is a link of the refulgence (noor) of the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) being passed on successively. Lucky is a person who gets into the chain of this splendor through an established order of succession. Reformative training is mandatory for everyone. Oath of allegiance (bai’t) though not compulsory but association with an order can only be acquired through bai’t. Those who possess a spiritual insight (kash’f) can recognize the persons from various mystic orders.

A zik’r session was once arranged in Arshi Mosque Rawalpindi. The session was conducted in accordance with the Chistia order. A sahib e kash’f was present amongst the participants, whom I had not known. After the session, along with others while embracing me he whispered into my ears that all the four mystic orders were discernible with Naqshbandi order in prominence. Despite never meeting me earlier, he was so accurate in his assessment. The same very thing had been told to me by my ‘Sheikh’ earlier. Undoubtedly it is the obviousness and cognoscibility of the order that is reflected so accurately.

When I met Hazrat Sufi Iqbal (RA) the first time in Madinah, he straightaway inquired if I was a disciple of Professor Ashraf. I replied in negative thinking that he had mentioned Professor Arshad. A little while later he again asked the same question. Hearing the name of my Sheikh correctly this time, I replied in affirmative. He then said that he had asked the same thing before. On my excuse not to have heard him the first time, he said that was not a matter of any spiritual revelation (kash’f) but imprint of Sheikh gets manifested through the disciples. In my case it was very vivid. He advised me keep up with it.

This third connection with the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) binds one to his (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) grace. May Allah Almighty allow us to carry it through to our very end. Amen.

Status of the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) is Abysmal

Allah Almighty has revealed in the Quran:-
لو انزلناھٰذا القرآن علی جبل لرایتہ، خاشعاً متصدعاً من خشیتہ اﷲ

(Had We sent down this Qur’an to a mountain, you would have seen it humbled, burst apart out of awe for Allah.) Al Hashar – 21

It was only the heart (qal’b) of our holy Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) that could withstand this great load, revealed to him (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) through the most revered angle Hazrat Jibraeel (AS).

In the olden days of kingdoms, a letter from an emperor also carried great paraphernalia. On revelation of the holy Quran, the jinnat discerned that a grand happening had occurred to forbid their access to the skies. To find the reason a team of them arrived at a place called Nasabeen, where they found the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) reciting the Quran in his ((Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam)) prayer. On knowing the truth they all embraced Islam and returned to their people to preach it. On the occasion of revelation of the holy Book, Jinnat were forbidden access to the skies to stop their interference. The great arch angle Hazrat Jibraeel (AS) along with others would then descend to reveal the Divine message onto the heart of the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam). It is said that during the process, Holy Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) would sweat even in winters. Once He was atop a camel when the Jibrael (AS) came and the animal immediately crumbled to the ground. A Companion (RH) disclosed that once during the revelation, the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) was resting with his ((Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam)) head in his lap. The load was so unbearable that he feared his thigh bone might break. Weight of the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) would increase many fold. Special arrangements were made by Allah Almighty during the course of revelation of the holy Book. Allah Almighty forbid the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) from repeating the verses for fear of forgetting them and assured him ((Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam)) that its memorization was His (SBT) responsibility. Every year Hazrat Jibrael (AS) would descend to hold a recitation session of the Quran revealed till then. The same tradition which is carried on by the hafizs these days should not be viewed as ordinary custom. This is a sunnah of our beloved Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam). In the last year of his ((Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam)) life this session was held twice, which indicated that something extra ordinary was to happen to call for such arrangements.

The Quran is a miracle of the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam)

The Quran is a miracle of the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) which lasts even today. It in itself is a miracle with no parallel and match. No one can and none has been able to create anything like it. Quran was revealed in bits and pieces according to dictates and necessity (shan e nazul) at different places, whereas the other holy books were delivered to the respective prophets (ASs) in one go. This uniqueness makes the Quran easily understood because the its clear context and background. The other significant aspect is that it has not been compiled in the order of its revelation. The first ayya has been recorded in the last Para and the last Ayya has been recorded in the sixth Para. Strangely this is hardly noticed during reading of the Quran. Coherence and synergy of the Quran are unmatched. After the revelation, the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) would indicate to compilers the right place for recording of the verses.

Surely you must have noticed that all the suras begin with " بسم اللہ " except Sura Tauba. Actually the holy Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) had not indicated its exact place of recording to any of the Companions (RH) and he (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) for the eternal abode. They were in a fix to either put it independently or in continuation of Sura Infa’al. Finally it was decided to compile it separately without prefixing it with " بسم اللہ " so that it could both be recited independently or in continuation of the previous Sura. So if one wants to begin his/her recitation with Sura Tauba, then Bismillah has to be read as is customary before reading the Quran. However in continuation with Sura Infa’al bismillah it is omitted unlike other Suras. Computerized computations have revealed that Bismillah has nineteen letters and total letters in each Sura are divisible by nineteen. The Quran exhibits a distant mathematical sequence. The sequence would have been disturbed if Bismillah was prefixed to Sura Tauba. It was all done by design, the Quran being a Divine message. Attributing the Quran to a human being can be termed as the biggest lie.

" ذالک الکتاب لاریب فیہ " spells out that undoubtedly this is a Book of the highest stature.

Quran is the most eloquent message

" ذالک الکتاب لاریب فیہ " leaves no doubt about its highest pedestal without being doubted by anyone. Anyone doing so is insane. The eloquence of its message can impact any grown up and sane person. Let me recount the episode of Hazrat Omar (RH) when he decided to kill the holy Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam). While on his way to do that, someone after hearing his intentions advised to first put his own house in order as his sister and brother in law had embraced Islam. Furiously he turned back to first sort out his own kin. When he arrived at his sister’s place Hazrat Hibab (RH) was there to teach the Quran. On learning about his arrival and knowing his temperament they hid the pages of the holy book and Hazrat Hibab (RH). On entering the house Hazrat Omar (RH) suspected that something was being recited. He ruthlessly started beating his sister, who defiantly told him to do what he liked but she would never give up her new faith. This startled Hazrat Omar (RH) and also softened him a bit. He asked his sister to recite to him what was being read. She asked him to first cleanse himself because the Quran could only be read out without being in a state of ablution. In the mean while Hazrat Hibab (RH) emerged and congratulated Hazrat Omar (RH) for being the one for whom the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) had prayed to Allah Almighty to enter into the folds of Islam, the other one being Omar bin Al Hisham. Hazrat Omar (RH) then took bath and heard the Quran with tears rolling down his cheeks and requested to be taken to the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) for embracing Islam. Hazrat Omar (RH) arrived at Dar ul Raqam where the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) was sitting amongst the Companions. Fearing trouble Hazrat Hamza(RH) drew his sword and announced that if Omar (RH) had any bad intentions he would be beheaded. Once inside, the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) pulled the skirt of Hazrat Omar (RH) and inquired as to why had he come? On his reply that he was there to embrace Islam, there was uproar of jubilance amongst the Companions (RHs). This was the blessing and miracle of the Quran.

The Quran is a major reason for many of the Europeans to convert to Islam. When Soviets usurped the Central Asian Republics, the Quran and other religious book were burnt for many days in their hot baths. Restrictions were imposed on recitation and learning of the Quran. A parallel system of underground teaching centers for the holy Book emerged, with the blessing of Allah Almighty. During the Soviets invasion of Afghanistan, soldiers from the Muslim republic were sent there due to their experience of similar terrain. They were no different from the ordinary Soviets soldiers and were hardly familiar with Islam. They started swapping weapons for the Quran with the locals, both benefitting in the bargain being Muslims. This is the marvel of the Quran.

Or (their deeds) are like layers of darkness in a vast deep sea overwhelmed by a wave, above which there is another wave, above which there are clouds - layers of darkness, one above the other. When one puts forth his hand, he can hardly see it; and the one to whom Allah does not give light can have no light at all. Al noor - 40

A non Muslim naval officer on hearing this passage from Sura Al Noor inquired that was the person sea faring on whom this passage was revealed. On being told that the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) had never undertaken a sea journey exclaimed that undoubtedly these are the Divine words. No one express this state unless he has been into the deep sea. He embraced Islam.

Dr. Hamid Ullah from Paris narrated an incident of a musician who told him that he had successfully played all Suras of the Quran on his organ except Sura Al Fateh. He told him to read it as:-
اذا جاء انصر اﷲ والفتح و رئیت الناس یدخلون فی دین اﷲ افواجا

The musician jumped with joy and exclaimed that he could do it and then he embraced Islam. Do you find any connection here?

Melody and music are different

Melody and music are two different entities. Whereas melody is allowed, music is forbidden. What is melody? Against a disjointed and disarrayed noises of any sort a rhythmical sound which follows an order is melody. A person sitting on the sea shore and enjoying the sequential sound of the sea waves cannot be forbidden to do so. It’s not the music but melody that he is enjoying. A naa’t recited in a melodious voice is enjoyed by everyone. A good piece of poetry is far more absorbing than prose. Basically it is the order and balance that creates the difference and brings in melody; which is so pleasing to the ears. Whereas music is not permissible, the melody is allowed. When the Quran is recited according to rules of Tajveed, melody and tune comes into the voice.

One of my relatives, a graduate from Deoband was once reciting the holy Quran that a Hindu priest (pundit) arrived on the scene. After the recitation ended the Pundit asked him as to which symphony (raag/ bhervee’n) was he singing? On showing complete ignorance about music and bhervee’n, the Pundit was surprised that a person totally clueless about the musical tunes could sing such a perfect symphony.

In the place of my mentor Maulana Ashraf Sahib (RA) the holy Quran was recited in Traveeh prayers during the month of Ramdhan. In the last ten days, it was completely recited in the first six nights; then once in two nights and lastly it was completely read out in one night i.e. on the 27th night. During the recitation, Maulana Ashraf (RA) would be totally engrossed oblivious to any stress and fatigue. After the prayers ended, due to his ailments he would be completely exhausted but during the recitation of the Quran no one could make out that he was a sick person. This is the impact of the soothing melody of the holy Book.

Hafizs should improve their memory

A hafiz should possess such good memory that he should be able to recite the Quran verbatim without any consultation. Some are not very proficient as they get to recite it only during the Ramdhan.

As I mentioned about the Traveeh session at the place of Hazrat Maulana Ashraf (RA), I would not go there considering myself to be unable to with stand the physical rigour of listening to the whole of Quran in one night. Once Dr.Fida inquired whether I attended those sessions or not. On hearing my excuse, he advised me to go and see that if I could with stand it otherwise I could return whenever I wanted even after two rakkas. I accompanied him there, not realizing as to what was in store for me. It was the 27th night and the complete Quran had to be recited. Dr. Fida led the prayers. He was very proficient and could recite the Quran without any interruptions. At the end of the first Para, I thought that he would bend for Rakhoo but he went on. Then I thought that it would be after the second Para but he continued beyond Sura Al Baqra , completed Sura Ale Imran and went on and on till the first twenty Paras had been recited and then he lowered to Rakhoo. The second Rakhoo was observed at the completion of Sura Wadduhah. At the end of the first two Rakkahs Dr Sahib looked towards me and said that I could leave if I wanted to. Remaining of the Quran was recited in the eighteen Rakkahs.

This is how I was lured into it. Thereafter I never went to any other place for Traveeh prayers. During the life time of Hazrat Maulana Ashraf (RA) I would travel from Rawalpindi to Peshawar to attend the Traveeh session there.

Same routine is followed by us during Etekhaf. Initially people here were skeptical and wondered about its practicability. Our Qari Noor Ullah Sahib once inadvertently recited five Paras in one Rakkah. Those not used to the practice were exhausted but later recital of a Para in every Rakkah looked much easy. One has to step in rather than avoiding it. No arguments are needed to prove the efficacy and blessings of the Quran.

Tajweed is Essential

I have so far dwelt on introductory and other important matters relating to recitation of the holy Quran. Now I will take on the core issue i.e. the recital of the Holy Book because its correct recital is essential. Hazrat Jibrael (AS) brought the Divine Message to our beloved Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) and also taught him (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) to recite it correctly. Our respective accents and pronunciations should not come in the way. Every accent has its peculiarities and distinctly varied pronunciations. Notwithstanding these impediments there is only one single style of reading the Quran i.e. the one taught by Hazrat Jibrael (AS). The Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) had taken upon himself to transfer the Quran in its original shape. Recitation of the holy Book is a specialty. It is not governed by the imitation of the renowned Qaris like Sudis or Sharim but the way it was recited and taught to the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam) by Hazrat Jibrael (AS). A set of rules is followed to ensure that correct phonetic sounds are produced. Arabic alphabets have different shapes and sounds when read alone or combined with other alphabets. All these intricacies are covered in the ‘Rules for Tajweed’ which have been basically framed to enhance the quality of recitation and disallow any deviations from the way it was originally taught to the Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaihi Wasallam).

What mode of learning should then be followed? One is to recite it after a learned Qari and keep repeating what he reads. It must, however, be ensured that the Qari is perfect in his recital and no anomalies of his accent and style are transferred to the learner. It is precisely to safe guard against such errors that a whole branch of Quranic learning and recital has been institutionalized by the experts (Imams).

After one has learnt to recite it correctly, it is essential to interpret and understand the message of Allah Almighty. Let me declare it right on the onset that it is impossible to translate the holy Book. In the translations that exist today attempt have been to use words nearest to the Arabic word which may not convey the true essence and spirit e.g. in Urdu no word exists to embody the true meaning of the English word ‘Attitude’. Similarly no suitable word for “ghairat” exists in the English dictionary. In such a situation one has to make do with the nearest word in meaning. Variation in the alphabets of every language also brings in a difference. Local accent and pronounciations of the people may not be exactly compatible with the rules of the Quranic recitation. In the Province of KPK, some people pronounce ‘F’ as ‘P’ and vice versa. The Quran recitation with these anomalies is incorrect. Turks likewise pronounce ‘K’ as “CH” which creates a big difference e.g. they will pronounce ‘Allah O Akbar’ as ‘Allah O Achbar’, which is wrong. So they have to make an extra effort to recite the Quran correctly. Beside this alphabetical mismatch, exact substitution of the Arabic word may not be there. With this kind of disparity existing between different languages exact translation of the Quran is virtually impossible. Being the word of Allah Almighty since no deviation is acceptable usually some essence is lost in translations.

Translations are of two types, one is a verbatim translation word for word and other is that captures the total meanings (Ba Mohavra). The problem of verbatim translation has a problem of texturizing. Rules of grammar vary from one language to another. Arabic language has its own distinct set of rules.

" لاریب فی " when translated word for word is ‘no doubt in it’ and in the continued translation it becomes, ‘whereof there is no doubt’. In the verbatim translation words are disjointed and at times difficult to understand. Whereas in the continued translation a semblance of continuity is attempted ensuring that the essence is maintained as far as possible. This form is relatively easier to comprehend. Mufti Shaffi (RA) in his tafseer (interpretation of the Quran), ‘Ma’arif ulQuran’ adopted this method. Translation of the Quran is in italics while explanations have been written in the brackets. His attempt was to ensure clarity of the meanings while maintaining the flow.

Eloquence of the Quran is unmatched

In the Quran short words have been chosen to eloquently explain very complex and intricate subjects. At times one bewildered at the marvel of selection.
والعصر ان الانسان لفی خسر الا الذین امنو وعملو الصلحٰت و تواصوابالحق وتواصوا بالصبر

(I swear by the Time, Man is in a state of loss indeed, except those who believed and did righteous deeds, and exhorted each other to follow truth, and exhorted each other to observe patience.) Al Asr

Imam Shafi (RA) said that this one Sura was sufficient for guidance of the Muslims even if whole of the Quran was not revealed. This proves the eloquence of the Quran.

A fellow narrated to me, that two Egyptian professors who were linguistic experts once told him that they could not find eloquence in the Quran. He asked them to express, ‘the hell is too vast’. Both made their best attempts and described it as " ان جہنم لو سیع ". . He then read out to them the Quranic description of it:-
یَوْمَ نَقُولُ لِجَھَنَّمَ ھَلِ امْتَلَأْتِ وَتَقُولُ ھَلْ مِن مَّزِیدٍ ..؟

(Remind them of) the Day when We will say to Jahannam (Hell), “Are you filled up?” and it will say, “Are there some more?” Qaf - 30

They were flabbergasted to hear it and admitted that such eloquence cannot be matched. How beautifully the situation has been expressed, which is neither poetry nor prose. This is the grandiose and eloquence of the Quran.

May Allah Almighty favour us with the ability to act upon it. Ameen.
وآخر دعوانا انالحمد للہ رب العالمین