Tears...
Why is it that some people recite the Quran, the very Quran that we all recite, yet they are overcome with emotion and break down and cry?What is different between them and us?
I reflect on the fact that Allah swt's words can be recited and and one person could hear them and become overcome with emotion and it increase them in faith, and another person could be standing next to that person and this very same recitation can increase them in disbelief and become that which defines them as a person of the hellfire wa nauthubillah.
Allah swt tells us in surah Israa':
whenever thou recitest the Qur'an, We place an invisible barrier between thee and those who will not believe in the life to come:
There is no power nor might except Allah swt.
I think that we do not focus on our hearts as we should, and we do not give proper time to purifying it and that is why when we hear the Quran we are not moved as we should.
Imagine this: Allah swt tells us in the Quran "wa low anzalna hadhal Qurana 'alaa jabalil lara'aytahoo khashi'am mutasaddi'am min khasya tillaah".
That surely if Allah swt would have revealed this Quran upon a mountain then the mountain would be crushed to dust out of fear of Allah.
Yet Allah says in another part of the Quran: For, Believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put (all) their trust in their Lord.
This is extremely deep to me because the mountain is crushed and torn asunder, yet our hearts feel a tremor.
Subhanallahi wa bihamdi!
Its as if the mountain, being a creation which does not have choice in its actions, when given such a heavy burden it can do nothing more than crumble due to the responsibility contained within the Quran. Yet the heart, the word Qalb comes from the root word which means to turn and flip, and this Quran causes it to tremor, and then to have ease. Allah swt has fashioned us in a certain way that even as we get farther and farther into our spiritual path and develop an even closer connection with Allah swt, He swt has still given our hearts the ability to have ease still.
If we would not be fashioned in such a perfect way then surely we wouldnt be able to hold this responsibility.
I feel as though the importance of knowing what the Quran means is paramount because there can still be some feeling of the tremor when the Quran is recited and we dont understand what it means, but when you know what Allah swt is telling you, when it was revealed and under what circumstances, and what the scholars have explained the verse as meaning, then surely you will be moved by the Words of Allah swt.
Take as an example the surah I have playing right now. At the 6 minute mark you will notice that the recitor begins repeating the ayah and getting extremely emotional. What is this ayah talking about? What does it mean?
Has not the Time arrived for the Believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors.
How relevent a verse?
I remember at our annual Villanova Camp Retreat that the local MD masajid used to go on, a couple years back my boy came up with this activity one night. It was going to be dealing with death and how it can come and find us at any time, any place. We had a soundtrack made of different sound effects, had the lights dimmed to a point where we could barely see, and a few of us brothers created a scene where we acted as if we were in a car accident, and one of us died. We then acted as if we were looking at the casket of the deceased and we began describing them.
"Man, I never thought they would die this eary. I was just with him the other day."
Then we turned to the bros and sisters and revealed that the deceased was actually them. They were the one who had passed away so suddenly.
A brother then began going in depth about death, and reflecting upon it, and he had asked me to recite a few ayahs about the day of judgement from surah ma'aarij.
6. They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event):
7. But We see it (quite) near.
8. The Day that the sky will be like molten brass,
9. And the mountains will be like wool,
10. And no friend will ask after a friend,
11. Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children,
12. His wife and his brother,
13. His kindred who sheltered him,
14. And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him:
15. By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!-
16. Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!
Everyone in the room began bawling. Everyone felt the ayahs in their hearts, and everyone felt the tremor, and everyone's eyes began to leak as they understood the depth of these verses through context.
Muhammed PBUH used to seek refuge in dua 'min 'aynil la tadhma', from the eye which does not shed a tear.
May Allah make us among those who, when His words are recited, our eyes well up with tears, our hearts tremble, and our limbs commit to actions corresponding with sincerity for worshipping Allah swt the way He is to be worshipped, and obeying the commands which He has given us...ameen
posted by Iboo LaL @ 10:20 PM
Comments: 3
