7 Reasons for the Closure of Hearts Toward the Quran
Dr. Ali Al-Halawani
01 July, 2021
Among the best acts of worship is to occupy oneself with the Quran, be it through reciting its verses or contemplating over their intended meanings.
In its capacity as the main source of Islam, the Quran encompasses all the rulings, regulations, illustrative parables, wisdom, admonitions, historical events, scientific and cosmic signs, that help believers lead their lives in accordance with the laws set by the Creator, Allah the Almighty.
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So, the Quran leaves none of the matters of faith or the material world without proper and adequate explanation.
{And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims} (An-Nahl 16:89)
Reasons for the closure of hearts toward reflecting on the Quran
1. Sinful acts of the heart
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As they represent one of the most powerful shields against the Quran, sinful acts of the heart prevent it from being attended to or touched by the Quran. In the presence of such a shield, it becomes improbable to find any pleasure or satisfaction with the Quran.
Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said:
“Temptations will be presented to men’s hearts as reed mat is woven stick-by-stick. Any heart gets impregnated by them will have a black mark put into it. Any heart rejects them will have a white mark put in it.
The result is that there will become two types of hearts: one white like a white stone which will not be harmed by any turmoil or temptation, so long as the heavens and the earth endure; and the other, black and dust-colored like a vessel which is upside down, not recognizing what is good or rejecting what is abominable, but being impregnated with passion.” (Muslim)
2. Sinful deeds of the body organs
7 Ways to Enrich Your Life with the Quran
7 Ways to Enrich Your Life with the Quran
Believers can experience deprivation in their ability to memorize the Quran because they harm others or fail to lower their gaze. Similarly, they can be deprived of contemplating over its verses because of sinful deeds.
Abdullah ibn Amr bin Al-As (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said,
“A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands the Muslims are safe; and a Muhajir (emigrant) is the one who refrains from what Allah has forbidden.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
3. Abandoning the books of Tafsir (Explanation of Quran)
One who does not exert any effort to study the meanings of the Quranic verses and their historical context cannot reflect on the Quran properly and appropriately. Such a person will never be able to obtain the correct meaning of the verses or their sound interpretation.
{Then do they not reflect upon the Quran? If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction} (An-Nisa 4:82)
4. Thinking that the stories of the Quran do not concern us
Some people may think that the stories related in the Quran have nothing to do with us. Why should we concern ourselves with the generations of Prophets Musa, Esa, Hud (peace be upon them)? Why should we care about the ‘perished’ nations?
📚 Read Also: Learn How to Relate Al-Fatihah to Your Life
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Principally, the Quran was sent down to us by Allah the Almighty for us to recite, contemplate over its content, and learn from the parables and stories it contains. Indeed, the Quran is not merely a historical record as some may think, rather, it is a guide for humankind toward the right path through the application of various tools. The Quranic story itself, is one of those tools.
{There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding. Never was the Quran a narration invented, but a confirmation of what was before it, and a detailed explanation of all things and guidance and mercy for a people who believe.} (Yusuf 12: 111)
5. Preoccupation with recitation only
What Quran Recitation Really Mean
What Does Quran Recitation Really Mean?
Oftentimes a believer may be busy with Quran recitation without any concern for understanding of the actual meaning.
A believer’s passion for reading the Quran should not lead to the abandonment of reflecting on its meanings and lessons. Thus, finishing the recitation of the whole Quran in less than three days is not recommended; it prevents one from contemplating over its verses.
6. Excessive love for this worldly life
We, all of us, love our children, wealth, ornaments, as well as the enjoyment of worldly life. However, this love should be moderate and balanced, and should not vie with the love for the Quran and spirituality.
{Beautified for people is the love of that which they desire – of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return} (Aal Imran 3:14)
7. Reading the Quran while one is inattentive
Among the signs that a believer is not benefiting from Quran recitation is reciting it with an inattentive heart. Similarly, the prayer carried out by a person with a heedless, absentminded heart won’t be accepted.
{So when the Quran is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.} (Al-Araf 7:204)
