Why should we memorize the Qur’an? Eventhough the mushaf (the book) of Qur’an have been printed in a great amount and easily found, memorizing the Qu’ran is important to open the opportunity in order to achieve the honour from Allah the Almighty. The memorizers of Qur’an are the chosen people to keep the purity of Qur’an from deviation and counterfeiting efforts.
Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption) Qur’an 15: 9.
Here are the reasons why must we memorize the Qur’an:
1. The Qur’an is the life manual (manhajul hayah) for the whole mankind
Allah the Almighty stated: “The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…” Qur’an 2 : 185. Memorizing the Qur’an (Hifzhul Qur’an) is an effort to make Moslems familiar to the utterance of Allah the Almighty (kalamullah) so they will know their religion and holy book well. It is expected that Moslems who know the regulation in the Qur’an, will implement the Islamic value of Qur’an in their daily life.
2. The Qur’an is the spirit for the believers
Allah the Almighty stated: “And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) Ruh (a revelation, and a Mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We have made it (this Qur’an) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our Slaves We will. And verily, you (O Muhammad) are indeed guiding (manking) to the Straight Path (i.e. Allah’s Religion of Islamic Monotheism)” Qur’an 42: 52.
Sayid Quthub (the figure of Islamic endeavour in Egypt) said: “In the Qur’an there is a life, which can spread, encourage, move, and develop the life in the heart and reality of activity which can be seen.”
3. The Qur’an as a warning
Allah the Almighty stated: “We know best what they say. And you (O Muhammad) are not the one to force them (to Belief). But warn by the Qur’an him who fears My Threat” Qur’an 50:45. For example, Prophet Muhammad’s companion, Umar ibnul Khathab ra. has strong character but he can change to softer hearted while listening to the verse of Qur’an.
4. The Qur’an as the source of natural science
The memorizer of Qur’an is actually the man whose brain full of scientific information. For example, “He has let loose the two seas (the salt and fresh water) meeting together. Between them is a barrier which none of them can transgress” Qur’an 55: 19-20. The Qur’an also discussed some aspects of our life such as economy, accounting, politics, biology, astronomy, medicine, etc.
5. To keep the mutawatir way of Qur’an
According to ulama hadits (Islamic experts in analyzing the utterance of Muhammad), mutawatir means something narrated by a lot of people so it is impossible to make such public lies. Since the past time, The Qur’an is preserved and kept by the memorizer of Qur’an until the end of era (the Dooms day).The Qur’an which is narrated in mutawatir will not be easily changed or forged like the previous Books, Taurat(The Testament) and Injil (The Bible).
6. The Qur’an raises the quality of community
Allah the Almighty explained: “Indeed, We have sent down for you (O mankind) a Book (the Qur’an) in which there is Dhikrukum (your Reminder or an honour for you i.e. honour for the one who follows the teaching of the Qur’an and acts on its teachings) Will you not then understand?” Qur’an 21:10. The Prophet Muhammad SAW said: “The best mankind among you is a man who learn the Qur’an and teach it” (Hadits narrated by Buchary from Utsman bin Affan).
7. To preserve the tradition (sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad SAW
Most of worship activities are related to memorizing the Qur’an. The limited memorizing only on the short surah/chapters will limit us in performing the perfect prayer (sholat). We have to follow the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad SAW in performing sholat (prayer) for examples in prayer of Jum’ah, he usually read al Jum’ah and al Munafiqun besides al A’la and al Ghashiyah. On Friday Morning prayer (Subuh) he usually read Sajdah, Al Insan or Ar Rum.
8. To keep the believers away from useless activities
Allah the Almighty stated: “Succesful indeed are the belivers. Those who offer their sholat (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness. And those who turn away from al laghwu (dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allah has forbidden).” Qur’an 23: 1 – 3. Sometimes, we are unexpectedly trapped in the situation of laghwu. Trip or travel on a bus, train, plane or ship, often offers laghwu performance/song. So, the best solution is reading the Qur’an by memorizing or read the book even while we are trapped in a traffic, the CD of Qur’an can be played in our car.
9. To preserve the culture of salafus shalih (the ancestor Moslem generation)
When we analyzed the history of the ancestor Moslem generation (salafus shalih) we will find the bright life either in knowledge or piety. The greatest attention is focused on the Qur’an. Most of them have memorized the Qur’an at the early age for example Imam Syafi’I memorized the Qur’an when he was 10 years old.
Arts in Islamic perspective is as a form of muamalah (social interaction), and it is not included into worship ritual at all. Since it is included into muamalah affairs so the law status of arts is mubah (allowed). Nevertheless, Islam still has limitation in order to keep the creativity in line to the moral and ethics of life, it doesn’t mean that Islam shackle creativity. The qualified honourable man will appreciate himself by respecting the norms of life.
