Recite with the Heart
We have now completed al-Fatihah and move on to the Quran recitation after
it. Did you ever notice that any Quran recited in Salah is always recited when
we are in the standing position? We do not recite al-Fatihah or any other
Surah in the sitting position, nor during our Ruku [bowing], nor during our
prostration. Why?
The standing position is man’s most dignified, honorable and respectful position
possible. And because this Quran speaks the most honorable and noble
Speech, it is thus only befitting for the most noble Speech to be recited while
in the most dignified and respectful of positions. The Prophet tells us that
he was prohibited from reciting the Quran while in Ruku [bowing] and while
in Sujood [prostration]. The Quran is the Speech of Allah, The Most High,
and is due our utmost respect. But how many a time have we recited it absentmindedly,
without any feeling or emotion, without any reflection on its powerful
words? For many of us, if asked what of Allah’s prohibitions did we just
recite, we would have no answer. What of Allah’s commands did we just recite?
We cannot recall! People stand behind their Imam in prayer. He recites of
Hell and Heaven, and they are off drifting of food and drink. If ever were we
to conduct a historic interview with a powerful ruler, how attentive would we
be? We would grant not only our submissive ears but all our hearts as well,
wouldn’t we? In fact, we would be so in tune that we’d probably even memorize
this ruler’s every word as he speaks! So how can we not be mindful of
23
what we’re reciting when it is Allah who speaks to us in this meeting? “Will
they not seek to understand this Quran or are there locks upon their hearts?”33
It is said that if our hearts were pure enough, we would never get enough of
Allah’s words! Remember, it is not in the quantity of Quran recited, but in the
quality of how we recite and its effect on us. The Prophet once prayed an entire
night with just one verse, repeating in tears: “If You should punish themindeed
they are Your servants, but if You forgive them - indeed it is You who
is the Exalted in Might, the Wise..”34
So we are to recite with feeling, aware that we are talking to Allah and He is
speaking to us. But how do we know what to feel with any given verse? Ibn
al-Qayyim gave us basic guidelines to help us even if we lack thorough knowledge
of tafseer. He says that:
- If a verse speaks of Allah’s favours upon you, His names, His attributes…
then it is Love that should fill your heart.
- If a verse speaks of Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, the people of Heaven…then
it is Happiness, Comfort, and Hope that should fill your heart.
- If a verse speaks of Allah’s wrath, punishment, destroyed civilizations… then
it is Fear and Worry that should fill the heart.
Thus we are always in a state between Love, Hope and Fear when reciting Allah’s
words. The Quran is greater than we know…
لَوْ أَنْزَلْنَا هَذَا الْقُرْآَنَ عَلَى جَبَلٍ لَرَأَيْت هُ خَاشِعًا
مُتَصَدِّعًا مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبهَُا
لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يتََفَكَّرُونَ
“If We had sent down this Qur’ān upon a mountain, you would have
seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of God. And these examples
We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought.”
