The Hadeeth that Changed My Life, Forever

Alhamdulillah; all praises and thanks are due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May His Peace and Blessings be upon the final Prophet, Habibi Muhammad, his family members, companions and all those who follow their path till the Day of Judgment.

I remember; when I was in school, I was not better than any average student of my peers. I can’t also forget the fact that I used to be very playful but stubborn and imaginably “naughty”. 😉

I requested to be registered in a Tahfeez classes after attending a Qur’an competition and seeing my classmate winning the first place of his category. I was expecting to go to the Tahfeez classes for fun, but it eventually became compulsory upon me. That caused me to start skipping the classes with neither the knowledge of my uncle, who was then my guardian, nor my parents. For all that while, they all thought I was punctual in my Tahfeez, because I have been punctual in my normal schooling, furthermore, I was enrolled in this Tahfeez course upon my request. My fierce and strict uncle took a firm disciplinary action against me, when he came to know of my failure to attend the classes. But the truth is, this approach wasn’t effective enough to make me love to continue in the Tahfeez programme.

If you will accept my excuses and clarifications, then, I would say, I was not clear about my own reasons and objectives to be in the Tahfeez and to become a Hafiz. The only thing that motivated me at that point of time is the fact that “My classmate won an award in Tahfeez and I too, want to win one, one day.”

Children of all ages have their dream professions, so did I. But mine was unique in the sense that I hoped to take any profession that will guarantee the happiness of my parents, regardless of how much respect that kind of profession may earn me, in monetary returns.

One day, I heard my teacher narrating one Hadeeth, which Abu Dawud reported that Rasulullah, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, said:

مَنْ قَرَأَ القُرْآنَ وَعَمِلَ بِمَا فِيهِ أَلْبَسَ اللَّهُ وَالِدَيْهِ تَاجًّا يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ ضَوْؤُهُ أَحْسَنُ مِنْ ضَوْءِ الشَّمْسِ فِي بُيُوتِ الدُّنْيَا، فَمَا ظَنُّكُمْ بِالَّذِي عَمِلَ بِهَذَا؟

It means, “Whoever reads the Qur'an and practices what is in it, Allah will grant [each of] his parents a crown in the day of resurrection. The brightness of the crown is like the brightness of the sun in dunia. What would you, then, think to be the reward of the one who practiced it?”

Note: Before I proceed, It is important for me to indicate here that; after I finished memorizing the Qur'an and started learning Islamic studies with more focus, I came to know that the Hadeeth (above) is not an authentic. However, there are numerous authentic Hadeeths (Ahaadeeth) which indicate abundant rewards for the one who memorizes the Qur'an. No indication of special rewards for his/her parents, though.

When I heard the Hadeeth for the first time, I had a very strange feeling and hence, I reacted; I told myself, “If you are truly sincere and willing to do anything to ensure the happiness of your parents, you have to prove it here.” True enough, I made up my mind and started to memorize the Qur'an immediately. This time, with more focus and seriousness, in the hope that my dear parents will be granted the above mentioned honour. This is the point which I will always refer to as the time I started memorizing the Qur'an. I was 13 years old. In a period of five years, with some sacrifice of my leisure times and sleepless nights, I was able to do it.

Some of the funny moments I experienced during that time was that, I kept praying to Allah that, even if He has predetermined to take me away at early age, I beg Him to do so, but only after He has enabled me to complete memorizing the Qur'an, even if that will be on the day I finish the memorization. As I expected to die the day I finished the memorization, I prepared myself silently for the next stage, but found myself still alive the next day. Masha Allah! “Life is still good, then,” I told myself.

The hard truth is that, I honestly cannot recall exactly who was the teacher who motivated my class and me in this case. However, no doubt, he and all my teachers have my dua's at all times, insha Allah.

Some authentic Hadeeths related to this subject matter.

I find it necessary to highlight some authentic hadeeths related to memorizing the Qur'an so teachers/educators, parents and motivators may be informed and make use of them as and when the need arises.

The Prophet Muahmmad, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, said in a Hadeeth narrated by Abdullah Ibn Amr, radhiya Allahu ‘anhu, which was related by At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud:

يُقَالُ لِصَاحِبِ القُرْآنِ “اِقْرَأْ وَارْتَقِ وَرَتِّلْ كَمَا كُنْتَ تُرَتِّلُ فِي الدُّنْيَا، فَإِنَّ مَنْزِلَتَكَ عِنْدَ آخِرِ آيَةٍ تَقْرَأُ بِهَا”

It means, “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’an: Recite and rise in status, recite as you used to recite in the world, for your status will be at the last verse that you recite.”

In another Hadeeth reported by Imam Al-Bukhari and narrated by Sayyidatuna Aa’ishah,radhiya Allahu ‘anha, the Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, said:

مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَقْرَأُ القُرْآنَ وَهُوَ حَافِظٌ لَهُ مَعَ السَّفَرَةِ الكِرَامِ البَرَرَةِ. وَمَثَلُ الَّذِي يَقْرَأُ القُرْآنَ وَهُوَ يَتَعَاهَدُهُ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِ شَدِيدٌ فَلَهُ أَجْرَانِ”

It means, “The likeness of the one who reads Qur’an and memorizes it is that he is with the righteous honourable scribes. And the likeness of the one who reads it and tries hard to memorize it even though it is difficult for him, he will have two rewards.”

Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari, radhiya Allahu ‘anhu, reported in a Hadeeth compiled by Abu Dawud that the Prophet, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, said:

إِنَّ مِنْ إِجْلالِ اللَّهِ إِكْرَامُ ذِي الشَّيْبَةِ الـمُسْلِمِ وَحَامِلِ القُرْآنِ غَيْرِ الغَالِي فِيهِ وَالجَافِي عَنْهُ وَإِكْرَامُ ذِي السُّلْطَانِ المُقْسِطِ

It means, “Part of glorifying Allah is honouring the grey-haired Muslim and the one who carries (memorizes) the Qur’an not exaggerating in it nor distancing from it; and honouring the fair possessor of power (ruler).”

Imam Al-Bukhari reported a very famous Hadeeth which was narrated by Sayyiduna Uthman Ibn ‘Affan, radhiya Allahu ‘anhu, that Rasulullah, salla Allahu ‘alaihi wasallam, said:

خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ القُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ

Which means, “The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur’an and teaches it [i.e., to others].”

Are we supposed to do things for Allah or for our parents?

In Islam, obedience towards parents and ensuring their happiness is one of the most significant ibadahs. Thus, any righteous deed that one carries out in the hope that it will eventually bring happiness and pride to his parents is considered as ibadah. And for any ibadah to be considered as one, it has to be crowned with ‘ikhlas’ (sincerity).

In many verses of the Qur'an, we find the command to honour one’s parents is accompanied with the command to believe in Allah as One and the Only and the prohibition on associating others with Him. For instance, Allah, subhanahu wata'aalaa, says in Surah Al-Nisaa, 4:36:

وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّـهَ وَلا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا وَبِالوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا

It means, “Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents…”

Allah also says in Surah Al-Isra’, 17:23-24:

وَقَضَى رَبُّكَ أَلاَّ تَعْبُدُوا إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ وَبِالوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا، إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلاهُمَا فَلا تَقُل لَّهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا * وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا

Which means, “And your Lord has commanded that you shall not serve (any) but Him, and that you be dutiful to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say not to them (so much as) “Ugh” nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word. And make yourself submissively gentle to them with compassion, and say: O my Lord! Have compassion on them, as they brought me up (when I was) little.”

It is narrated by Imam Al-Bukhari that ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas-ud, radhiya Allahu ‘anhu, said:

سَأَلْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ “أَيُّ الْعَمَلِ أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّه؟ قَالَ “الصَّلاةُ عَلَى وَقْتِهَا” قَلت: ثُمَّ أَيٌّ؟ قَالَ “ثُمَّ بِرُّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ

It means, “I asked the Prophet SAW, “Which deed is most beloved to Allah?” He said, “Prayer offered on time.” I said, “Then what?” He said, “Then honouring one’s parents…”

Conclusion

This is my true version of “The Pursuit of Happiness” for my parents and obviously for myself, too. Don't be surprised to know that my parents are not aware of this story, although they are still alive. I prefer not to tell them personally, let it be a surprise for them… So please, you are not authorized to inform them, on my behalf. 🙂

It is ‘fitrah’ (natural) for one to love and respect his parents and to strive to ensure their happiness. I have a strong belief that you love your parents equally as I do for my parents or even more. This is my humble present, meant for my parents, to make them happy and proud one day, forever. What have you done to make your parents happy and proud? Or what do you have in mind for them? This is the surprise I have prepared for my parents. What surprise have you prepared for your parents? Please share your story with us, in the comments area below.

Allah knows best.
Allahu Hafiz 🙂