The religion of Islam, or the practise by its adherents, no doubt transcends the ordinary sphere of believing in the existence of only one God. Islam as scholar’s belief is nothing other than a “complete way of life”, stating specifically how a Muslim should live his/her life as clearly spelt out in the pages of its constitution (the holy Quran). Unlike any other known book of law, the holy Quran is a book of law sent by Allah himself to serve as a complete guide to mankind. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) was reported to have said, “This Qur’an is the Banquet of Allah. Learn as much as you can from His banquet. This Qur’an is the Rope of Allah, and it is the clear Light and [the effective and beneficial] Healing. It is a protection for the one who clings to it and a rescue for the one who follows it. It is not crooked and so puts things straight. It does not deviate so as to be blamed. Its wonders do not cease. It does not wear out with much repetition. So recite it for Allah will reward you for the recitation of every letter….” (Hakim no. 1/555, Darimi – [Sahih])

Essential to the study and teaching of the holy Quran is one important prerequisite, which is the knowledge of the Quran itself. What used to be a quite difficult task to execute in the past has today been made so easy to do; all thanks to the advancement in technology and its internet enabled online Quran, online Quran tafsir, online Quran Arabic classes and lectures, Quran app that ensure mobility and ease of recitation, online tutorials and applications that enables one to learn Quran tajwid, classes on how to learn Quran fast, as well as several online guides on the easy ways to learn Quran. There is no doubt however that the teaching and learning of the holy Quran, its tafsir, as well as the proper pronunciation of its words (tajwid) is of today far easier than it was some decades ago. What this suggest however is that there would be no excuse for any Muslim today to be ignorant of the knowledge of the holy Quran.

There are several benefits that are attached to learning and reading the holy Quran, and among these include: –

It Enhances Piety: – one who learn the art of reading the holy Quran and also inculcate the habit the reciting it will no doubt be among the pious as it is contained in suratu Al-Baqarah [2:2] where Allah says “This is the Book (the Quran), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqoon [the pious]”.

It is a Complete Guide to Life: – from childbirth, through to upbringing, marriage, nurturing a family, interaction with friends and relatives, as well as on what and how to relate with people and one another even at the point of death; the Quran is the complete guide on how a meaningful Muslim life could be structured and lived. Ibn Hibban once reported that the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w) said, “The Qur’an is an intercessor and its intercession is accepted and its plea is believed. Whoever makes it lead him, it leads him to Paradise and whomsoever places it behind him [the result will be] he is dragged to the Fire.”

It serves as Proof in Support of Mankind on the Day of Judgement: – when an individual have adequate knowledge of the Quran and it goes into the remembrance of Allah through it often, the Quran will stand in his place to intercede for him as well as stand as proof for him on the day of judgement. Fact about this is contained in the hadith no. 223 narrated by Muslim that The Prophet of Allah (s.a.w) said, “Cleanliness is half of faith and Alhamdulillah [Praise be to Allah] fills the scale, and Subhan Allah [Glory be to Allah] and Alhamdulillah [Praise be to Allah] fill up what is between the heavens and the earth, and prayer is a light, and charity is proof [of one’s faith] and patience is a brightness and the Qur’an is a proof on your behalf or against you.”