Depression

Depression is a real threat to modern man. It is something that has been neglected for many a year. The reason I wanted to address this issue was due to the amount of people who suffer from it. 

Some claim it is a choice that one makes. It is not a choice and the body feels pain even though there is no object to the pain. Internal torment goes with one wherever they are. This is not easy for anyone to understand unless they felt it too.

Sleep is often the only escape from their pain hiding their pain behind empty smiles and being productive. Yet hiding their true feelings underneath layers of unchangeable chapters of the past.

Trauma

Trauma is often the cause of depression. Having difficulties that cannot be overcome or trying to put a brave face on sorrows when what is needed is dealing with the grief. The death or end of something causes most traumas when it is not internally resolved.

People deal with grief in different ways and it can be more harmful for men who are more likely to become isolated. Suicide is one of the biggest killers of young men. Yet where is the discussion and is support available? Women can often talk out their problems and men do the opposite. They hide what they feel and it surfaces as other emotions. Worst of all is destructive behaviour that harms all those around them.

Failure

You have to know failure is part of the path of life. Eventually you will fail but you only truly fail when you fail to learn anything from it. Alternatively, you fail to get back up and try again. You will get better, over time.

Growth is often painful and you can grow by letting go of your past. Only when you have let go of the past can you welcome a new future. You are not alone in your struggle someone in the world has struggled and lost what you have. You have to find the strength to carry on and this is a slow process and takes time. Most love stories in the world have sad endings and only in the movies do they have a successful conclusion, live is not like that.

Suicide has hit many men particularly those without jobs, for whatever reason, consider suicide because they cannot provide for their children. This is truly a massive area that needs to be addressed.

Suicide

One person's suicide can affect a few thousand people. It affects every family member, every friend and everyone who knew that person. It leaves them with questions that will torment them until they die. How many people kill themselves and leave their children and spouses in perpetual pain because they cannot overcome the loss and they will never get answers.

A person might deem themselves as insignificant but that is not how it really is. The role they play in the world of father, wife, siblings, cannot be done by someone else.

If this is where you are then seek immediate assistance immediately.

Hadith to consider

رَوَى البخاريُّ ومُسْلِمٌ في صَحِيحَيْهِمَا عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أنهُ قالَ: مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسَهُ بِحَدِيدَةٍ فَحَدِيدَتُهُ فِي يَدِهِ يَتَوَجَّأُ بِهَا فِي بَطْنِهِ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدًا فِيهَا أَبَدًا، وَمَنْ شَرِبَ سَمًّا فَقَتَلَ نَفْسَهُ فَهُوَ يَتَحَسَّاهُ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدًا مُخَلَّدًا فِيهَا أَبَدًا، وَمَنْ تَرَدَّى مِنْ جَبَلٍ فَقَتَلَ نَفْسَهُ فَهُوَ يَتَرَدَّى فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدًا مُخَلَّدًا فِيهَا أَبَدًا

Bukhari and Muslim report in their authentic collections that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, "Whoever kills themselves by [a sharp object like] iron will cut himself continually, in his stomach, in the fire of hell forever. Whoever drinks poison to kill themselves will drink poison in the fire of hell forever. Whoever throws themselves off a mountain to kill themselves will continue to do so in the fire of hell, and [they are in] hell forever."

This is a serious warning not to do this action and this includes any manner that one kill themselves and it does not matter how. The Shariah is there to protect human life and not endanger it. Killing themselves in any circumstances is not allowed and even in war, in an act of defense.

Medication

This is also a subject that people have differing views. Irving Kirsh and others have confirmed the following:

"Conclusions The benefits of antidepressants seem to be minimal and possibly without any importance to the average patient with major depressive disorder. Antidepressants should not be used for adults with major depressive disorder before valid evidence has shown that the potential beneficial effects outweigh the harmful effects."

Source

Some research said that depression was a chemical imbalance in the brain but it goes much further than this. Its more than likely that pills will not help most people and only a few who need to feel like taking medication makes them feel better. 

Natural Medicines

By Shaykh Nazim Al-Haqqani said about depression, "Visit hospitals, mental houses, prisons and old peoples homes regularly and your own depressions will disappear quickly. Nowadays many young people get depressed because they are forced to make an education in which they have to learn theoretical subjects for long years which they afterwards never have do not even get a job. To avoid this I suggest young people to learn skills like carpentry which is very useful and will also give them a job at the end of their training." (p.49)

There are some points here. Sometimes being depressed is when someone is just stuck in a moment of their past and cannot see a way out. Looking at other peoples problems gives one perspective on their own problems. 

Working in a job that you hate is almost as bad as having no job. Sometimes one can make a living with their pleasure but most of the time they do not. But you can learn something that is close to your field and get a related job. Parents should not force kids to do things that they hate.

Supplications

عَن أَنسٍ رضي الله عنه أَنَّ النَّبيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ كَثِيرًا مَا يَقُولُ: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الهَمِّ وَالحَزَنِ، وَالعَجزِ وَالكَسَلِ، وَالبُخلِ وَالجُبنِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّينِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ

صحيح البخاري: 6363

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) was often heard saying, "O Allah, I seek refuge with You from concerns, sadness, weakness, laziness, miserliness, cowardice, being overcome by debts and being overcome by men." Bukhari

This supplication is reported in Abu Dawud in a different report and it said that the supplication should be repeated in the morning and evening. Supplication for guidance is never turned away.

Concerns and sadness fuel depression as does weakness of a sick body. This causes laziness and the rest. It is like a chain that lead one further down to the next item. So use this supplication and repeat it twice a day.

 

Possible treatments

Anti-depressants have had varied results and some argue that they do not help except as a placebo. These should only be taken under the care of the professional care. 

The Depression Cure offers six practical steps to fighting depression through Stephen S. Ilardi's program Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC)

TLC are:

- Dietary omega-3 fatty acids

- Engaging activity

- Physical exercise

- Sunlight exposure

- Social support

- sleep

These concur with some things that the actor Jim Carrey said: "I believe depression is legitimate. But I also believe that if you don't exercise, eat nutritious foods, get sunlight, get enough sleep, consume positive material [and] surround yourself with support, then you aren't giving yourself a fighting chance."

Most people are stuck in modes or patterns of behaviour and the person must break their behaviour, this as easy as it seems. A person could need to speak to a professional counsellor who can advise them what to do and listen to their issues.

Sometimes there are vitamin C and D deficiencies so it is worth getting a check up. Simple supplements can be taken to help the person come back to normal.

Laughter is the best medicine and there is some truth to this. Watching or listening to depressing films is not likely to help and it is more likely to make you worse. So watch a comedy program or share some laughter with a friend.

When a heart is sad it needs something to take the place of what has been lost or it needs something to keep it busy to remove the pain. This can be anything lawful to do. Helping others is one such thing like getting involved in charities and so on.

It is a long road to recovery and it is sometimes a means of coping with it. Some days will be better than other days but we are like Rocky Balboa, we never give up.

"Man is fond of counting his troubles, but he does not count his joys. If he counted them up as he ought to, he would see that every lot has enough happiness provided for it." —Fyodor Dostoevsky, Notes From Underground

Do not spend prolonged time pouring over details of failure. Learn from the problem and move on. You are meant to have things for a certain time and some things you are never meant to have. The best thing you can do is move on and hope in Allah (The Exalted) for a better future.

If there are family issues then this needs to be resolved and discussed. They should have some sort of job, even a job that one does not like. Having time on ones hands can increase and lengthen the problems. You need to maintain a routine of getting up and sleeping at the same time to help your internal clock.

Exercises is one of methods of making energy and help produce endorphins. Failure is part of the course so even if you have determined to leave it realise there will be slip-ups. 

The forgotten past

There are different types of depression, Abu Zayd al-Balkhi (may Allah show him mercy) a ninth century physician wrote a book about cognitive behaviour and depression in which the causes, which were because of sadness and other without reason called Substance of the soul, "It is a sudden affliction of sorrow and distress/ghummah, which persists all the time preventing the afflicted person from physical activity or from showing any happiness or enjoying any of the pleasures or shahwah [passions]." P.21 The book has been translated by Malik Badri and is worth reading because it was one of the first to talk about mental health.

Treatments

Abu Zayd al-Balkhi (may Allah show him mercy) mentions the impurity of the blood which can be purified by cupping and bloodletting but that is just part of the process. "As for the physical, it concentrates on purifying and psychological. As for the physical, it concentrates on purifying the blood, increasing its temperature and making it lighter." P.51

Depression brings darkness and dryness to the body and it means that they need to elevate themselves. Cupping removes dead blood in the body. 

He continues, "The psychological is limited to gentle encouraging talk that brings back some happiness as well as listening to music and songs and similar activities that emotionally give warmth to the gloomy." Ibid

Some uplifting nasheeds and songs encouraging goodness do help. Music therapy helps by distracting the person from the pain they are feeling and this helps them distract from it. Sunlight does help but not sunbathing! 

He continues, "One must take cognizance of the fact that the most saddening moment of an incident is its inception and that the days that come after will certainly reduce its painful effects until it is gradually pushed into forgetfulness. This kind of mental manoeuvre is bound to bring about a quick feeling of comfort or even happiness and pleasure." (p54)

We are only here for a short time and the difficulties we face will pass. Time will make the sharpness of the memory duller.

He continues, "An additional mental tactic for the afflicted person is to choose some sincere and trusted relatives or friends, who really love him and wish for his good health and happiness, in order to frankly discuss his problem with them and listen to their counsel and advice." (p.62)

A person get find a counsellor if no friend of family is available. We should talk to those who will listen and then adhere to the advice they give. Otherwise, there is no point in asking for help. 

Most of all it is not an overnight process, rather it takes time like drug addiction, one has work gradually to remove it from ones life. Best of luck!

Please also buy two books on tribulation because they might help you.

Commentary 40 hadith on tribulation 

Commentary on Seventeen Benefits of Tribulation 

The Purple Book of Generalities

Here's a link to a something we wrote in 2004-5. We were just making observations about our environment etc. We hope you enjoy it and there might be more on the way...
http://www.scribd.com/doc/91681319/Purple-Book-of-Generalities-PDF

Are you doing your bit?

One of my trusted friends once asked me, “Are you doing you bit?”

I replied, “Bit of what?”

“Your bit; are you doing your bit?”

“Bit of what?”

“Your bit for Islam.”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you spreading Islam?”

“I need to learn.”

“You don’t need knowledge to talk. Sometimes I ring up a radio show and talk to people clarify a few things.”

“I need to study.”

“Study and do your bit.”

In whatever capacity you are in you can spread Islam which does not mean forcing people into Islam or talking over them or demeaning them. It means doing what you are able to do within the situation that you are in. Trying to do the best you can to break down barriers in your communities, to help people, to spread knowledge; to basically do something positive. We can all do this and if we all do our bit then it’ll add to a lot.


So now I am asking you, “Are you doing your bit?”

Follow the Sunna the Imam shouts...

At the top of his voice to a crowd of the faithful. They look on as the abstract concept is left in the air without being clarified or explained, it is not the simple case of shouting out a term, it needs to be elucidated upon.

Only then can it be understood and practiced.


What is the Sunna?

The Sunnah is confirmation of every praiseworthy attribute or characteristic and negation of every blameworthy characteristic. Got that? Then lets begin...


Characteristics

Two of the known characteristics of the Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) before Islam was that he was truthful and trustworthy. As-Sadiq Al-Amin. Sadiq comes from the word truth and Amin comes from the word be faithful or honest which itself comes from a root word to mean secure. If you know a person you can trust then you can feel secure with them and you can give them anything secure in the knowledge that they will return it. Imana is something that you give to someone for safekeeping. Iman means faith.

So these two characteristics are what indicated to what he was going to be given. The last book of Allah and the manifestation of monotheism.

Now if we claim to be one of the followers of his nation then it behoves us that we be truthful and we become trustworthy. Yet if we take a look at believers many do not warrant being given a trust. Many people who you give something to borrow will then lend it to someone else who will then lend it to someone else who will then lose it. So when you ask for that item back the long winded response is that it has been lost. Where is the trust?

When we are asked to tell people the truth we do not; instead we twist things and finish off our sentences with a pack of lies. Where is the truth?

We have lost two the characteristics that our Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) was known for. Then how can we claim to follow him if we do not do what he did? It’s like me claiming to a fan of Manchester United but you never see me in their stadium but you see in me in Manchester city’s stadium. Would you think that I am a City fan or a United fan? The answer is obvious!

This is your starting point be truthful and be trustworthy, both characteristics are linked. If you are truthful then you will become trustworthy. Please if someone lends you something bring it back to them. One of my friends lost something that I lent him and then he brought a replacement, this is being trustworthy.


Does it make perfect?

Well not quite but can attain a level of proficiency by repetition. We can never perfect but we can die trying. Always measure your characteristics against the Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) and this will mean you will always keep trying.

Look at the Prophet’s (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) characteristic and try to force yourself to have the same characteristic. Look at his truthfulness and ask yourself are you truthful? Look at his trustworthiness and ask yourself are your trustworthy? Look at his patience and look at yourself and ask are you patient? Or is it all just a farce or charade so the people think you are very good but really you are not good at all. Listen to hadith and pick out the characteristics and then apply it to yourself. Religion is about correcting yourself and not just about correcting others because you cannot always correct others but you can always correct yourself.

The changes that you make inside the heart can make such a drastic effect on you and your environment.

One of the most interesting statements that I read in the Tao Te ching was, “Everyone knows but no one practices.” That says it all,doesn’t it? We all know what we need to do but is anyone doing it? Only the few are and how few they are!

To make statements such as follow the Sunna can be problematic as someone who is new to the subject cannot understand this. It might make sense to those who had read the Sirah but not to those who haven’t; which makes it very difficult to understand. Reading hadith can help, read the forty hadith of Imam Nawawi and the Riyadh As-Saliheen by the same complier.

Most of all you need to see it practiced before you and that can only be done by witnessing someone who follows the Sunna. The way of the scholars is a way that explains the Sunna to us, in ways that books cannot begin to understand. Some scholars are books personified and this can be humbling to see.

Try to find a teacher or a scholar who embodies such characteristics and then try to pick up as much as you can from him. Also note that you may also find secrets with practicing Arabs who understand the way better than many non-Arabs. If you see them act in a way that pleases you then try to pick it up and practice it. When one of my friends meets a two people and he is going to shake their hands, he shakes the hand of the person on the right side with his right hand and hold the left arm of the other person, before shaking his hand. This is something he does so the person who he shook hands with secondly does not feel left out. This is very subtle and it needs to be seen as my explanation may not prove my point.


Entertainment

In this time religion is like the movies. We attend lectures where people do not learn anything they are amused by stories that are illogical but seem interested. The speaker gets excited and attacks every group on the planet, because they are the saved group. How did you not know this? They
are the saved group!!? There is more an emphasis on upholding the culture than the religion and as a result we have folkloric Islam that is a mishmash of Hindu culture and Islam. Confusing so many people and further distancing those who want to see a type of Islam that is attractive.

This is one reason why people become Wahabi’s because they reject the nature of culture of some Sunni’s and see Wahabism as a pure form of Islam. Even though the Wahabi’s have a point, their way is against the majority in many cases, so even thought that way seems attractive it’s ending is not bright. This really affects women because many Sunni’s bar women from learning the religion as classes (if there are any!) are held in masjids are just for men. So what else is she to do except become a Wahabi because they hold the doors wipe open for them. Sometimes I think that some people consider religiousness is just for men and not women. This is another negative manifestation of the culture that needs to be erased. There are so many negative aspects of the culture that go against Islam but nobody seems to realise.

We need to rid ourselves of the negative aspects of the cultural Islam and move to a purer form of practice that excludes those negative aspects and highlights the positives. Speakers must attempt to understand the culture that they are in. Coming off a plane and speaking at a conference without knowing the problems and challenges people face is foolish.

Also those speakers living in the UK or US must learn English. Allah sent every Prophet with the ability to speak the language of the people. Zaid ibn Thabit was ordered by the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings be upon him) to learn Hebrew. So can learning English to spread Islam be something that is shunned on by so many of those who come from the Indo-pak countires. It is a real shame that only a few speakers can speak English despite spending decades in the West.

We really should not be able to speak Urdu in our Masjids because the majority of people should be Muslims of European and not Asian stock. Dawah is another thing that we have failed to and anyone who is interested on reading more then please see our article on this subject.


Failure of Dawah

One of the core reasons why Dawah has failed is because people see religious people as the exact opposite of what they should be. This distances them from Islam. We hear of horror stories of poor defensive less women who are treated like slaves and when their use has expired then they are stabbed or burnt alive. This is against all the teachings of the Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) all of them, he never spoke to a woman harshly never mind strike her!

Women will have their revenge on those who did this to them on the day of judgement. Our treatment of women needs to be addressed but who will risk their job by speaking about it? Some have been removed from their positions. So do we blame the English press for our own bad press when we set the fires burning in many cases? Then they see other Asians dealing drugs, how do these two facts make the Muslims be seen by the public?

This adds to the demonization of Islam and Muslim in the media. We are adding to this by our own heedless actions, may Allah forgive the muslims.

True followers of the Prophetic way put their feelings down and lowly; and then raise the flag of the standard of the Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) high. Where are those people? Where have they gone? Have they all died out? Well you can be one of them, if you want,
start by telling the truth and then take it from there. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) called the Prophets (may Allah bestow peace and blessings be upon him) character the Quran.

He never lied, cheated, stole, beat people, mocked people, backbited, gossiped or harmed people.

What about you? Most of us do all these things and call ourselves followers. How can we be true?


Keeping the practice alive

Keeping the practice alive keeps the religion alive. Practicing the Sunna means that you have something more valuable than the relics of the Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) you have his action. Copying anyone shows them respect and to show them respect is to honour them. Keeping the practices alive means that you can pass them on to preceding generations and by not performing them we are letting the Sunna die out.

The main method of keeping the Sunna alive is by supporting teachers and scholars, as they are people who have an understanding the religion.

Do we really care about the Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) if we let his Sunna die out? Then what is the point of the screaming Iman?

Politics The Art of Puppetry And Deception

A comedian called Bill hicks (d.1994) used to make the following the statement about politics in America:

Person A, “I like the puppet on the left.”

Person B, “The puppet of the right is more to my liking.”

Person C, “Wait a minute there is one guy holding up both puppets!”

Government, ”Go back to sleep America your government is in control. Here’s fifty channels of gladiators and keep drinking beer you mxxxns.”

In the West we are distracted by the puppets and when we get bored of them we change them. Yet the system stays the same and we do not know who the dictators are. In Muslims countries everything is open and clear. We know who the dictators are.

So when the people protest in the west it does not mean anything because the worst that’ll happen is that a puppet may change. But protesting elsewhere is dangerous as it might actually change something!

I would rather have bars that I could see, rather than to be told I am free but really in chains!

Tajweed - Get it Right!

Importance of Tajweed

One of the most problematic issues that some are aware of, and some are unaware, is the need for correct Tajweed. We have a real problem in the indo-pak communities with Tajweed or more specifically the lack of it! What we are really talking about is the correct sound being made from the articulation points of the letters.


Urdu-bic?

When we read the Arabic Quran in Urdu which is a major problem because it was not revealed in Urdu. As that is a language that was ‘made up’ some time ago so that different speakers of Muslims could communicate. Arabic is a language far greater than that, far greater.

Each of us is taxed according to their ability to learn, so if someone has a chance to learn the correct pronunciation of words then they should. They will see an improvement in their prayer when they learn and they may have thought it was not possible. I would personally recommend trying to find someone who know Quranic Arabic correctly and correcting ones recitation. You may have individuals in your community who can help you and even if it is one lesson a week do and you’ll see the difference.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon peace and blessings) said, “The reciter who makes errors has two rewards, one for the recitation and one for his difficulty.” (Bukhari 4937).

“We have sent to him the Arabic Quran that perhaps you understand.” (Yunis 12.2).

Note the Quranic passage says Arabic Quran and not Urdu Quran or anything language.


Obligations

Learning the correct recitation is obligatory for all Muslims and to not do this puts your Quranic recitation in danger of being invalid. Meaning that you prayer may also be invalid as well. The Hanafi’s are not as strict as the Shafi’s because two words (or three words indo-pak) in correct Tajweed makes the prayer valid. As for the Shafi’s if it is not all correctly recited then it is not a valid prayer. Qadi Khan said if someone is trying to correct their Tajweed then their prayer is valid as they have an excuse.

I really do not excuse those people who have a chance to learn the correct Tajweed and choose not to. It is true that some letters take practice but we have to at least try. You need to know where each sound comes from and then practice it until you get it right, this make take several weeks to even this far but it is worth it.

There are two types of mistake in recitation Lahn Al-Jalali/manifest error and Lahn Al-Hafi/hidden error. The difference between the two is that Lahn Al-Jalali is when a letter is pronounced incorrectly and this can break the prayer if it occurs. Lahn Al-Hafi is a mistake with Tajweed and if it occurs it will not break the prayer.


Ramadan massacre

Ramadan is one of the most happiest months of the year and it is the month of the Quran. But sadly now it is the month that we massacre the Quran by not pronouncing anything comprehensible during the extra night prayers. This is one the saddest things that someone can hear the book of Allah (the Exalted) being massacred and we say nothing.

There is a way of reciting quickly but getting it right but no one does that now they just read it quickly trying to get to the end. We try to follow one Sunna of finishing the Quran but how many fard actions have we demolished? It’s like destroying a house but placing a big vase of yellow flowers on top. Yes, the flowers look nice but what have we done!


Are we people who mock the Quran?

“My people have renounced the Qur'an.” (25:30)

Is this us? Or are we people who recite it correctly?

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, "Perhaps someone recites the Quran and it curses him." (Muslim).

I seek refuge with Allah from this.


How did the Messenger recite?

The Prophet (May Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) used to recite the Qur’an in slow, measured, rhythmic tones as Allah had instructed him, not hurriedly, but rather he would recite a surah in such slow rhythmic tones that it would be longer than it would seem possible. (Muslim, Muwatta).


How should we recite?

That’s simple recite how the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) if you don’t know what to do in any matter then look at the Sunna and you’ll know what to do. It’s that simple we don’t need to theorise or philosophise we just need to open your ears and listen to a Qari who recites correctly. Please click here for forty hadith on the Quran complied by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Nabahani (may Allah show him mercy).

Hudhyafah (may Allah pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, "Recite the Quran in the tone of the Arabs, and their sounds." (Bayhaqi in Sha'b al-Iman 2/540).

Please click here for common misprounced letters of the Quran.


Don’t sing please

As almost a complete contrast to the Ramadan massacre many people recite the Quran like they would a nasheed or Qasida. This is really not the correct manners with the Quran as its the book of Allah not the book of a person. People who have this concept that the Quran needs to be sung have misunderstood the Quranic passage.

“Recite the Qur’an distinctly.” (73:4)

Meaning correctly and clearly but not singing okay? NO singing!

Yes, we should beatify the Quran but we should not overly embellish our recitations by elongating certain letters over above the correct amount just so we excite the gathering into throwing Scottish notes at us!

The Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, “The one who has the finest voices among the people for reciting the Qur’an is the one whom you think fears Allah when you hear him recite.” (Daarimi, Tabaraani).

“Those unto whom We have given the Scripture, who read it with the right reading.” (2.121)

Quran proof against you or for you

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, "The Quran is a proof for you or against you." (Muslim 1/203, Imam Ahmed 5/342).

Do you want the Quran to come on the day of judgement to curse you because you are reading something incorrectly? He did not read me correctly or do you want to come and help you? It’s a simple choice.


Reward for correct recitation

Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Whoever recites a letter of the book of Allah has one good deed and one good deed is worth ten similar to it. I do not say Alif, Lam Meem is a letter rather Alif is letter; Lam is letter and Meem is a letter.” (At-Tirmidhi Hassan Sahih)

The Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “The reciter of the Quran, on the day of judgement, will stop at the first level of Paradise. He will be asked to recite then he recites as he did in the world and his abode is the last Quranic passage in which he stops.” (Abu Dawood).

This should be sufficient for you to try to correct your Tajweed and get reading to ascend great levels because of your correct Tajweed but if you don’t have the correct Tajweed and your recitation is not valid then where will you go? Also note what if someone does not read the Quran where will they go? Does this not scare you? It terrifies me just to think about it!

“The Messenger states, “O my Lord, my people ignore the Qur’an.” (25.30).

I pray to Allah (mighty and Majestic) that we are not from these people.

“An Arabic Quran without crookedness that perhaps you will become fearful.” (39:28)

We do not claim to Abdulbasit in terms of Quranic recitation nor do we claim to be the worst but we are advising people to look into this matter and try to correct themselves because it will benefit them in two worlds not just one. As with anything that I write; I accuse myself first.