On the contrary...

On the contrary, the recitation of the Qur’an is for understanding, and understanding is for contemplation, and contemplation is for action. As a matter of fact, every virtue, which is mentioned for a Surah or a verse, corresponds very much with the contents of that Surah or verse. For example, among the virtues of reciting Surah An-Nur, No.24, we see that it says that Allah may protect the person and his children from committing adultery and slander when he perseveres in studying it.

This consequence is because the contents of Surah An-Nur contains some important instructions on resisting sexual deviations; i.e.

the instructions advising single persons to hasten to marriage; the instructions about ' cover' (hijab); the instructions about refraining from ogling and desirous aoks; the instruction that forbids spreading any rumours and accusations about others; and, finally, the instruction on executing the punishment for fornication and adultery upon any perpetrators: be they men or women.

It is obvious that when the content of this Surah be observed by the members of a society or a family, the iniquity of adultery will not appear therein. It is the same concerning the verses of Surah al-Baqarah, mentioned above. They are all related to the subject of Monotheism, belief in ' Qayb ' (the Invisible), knowing Allah, and resisting evil temptations.

So, if a person recites them and observes the instructions in them carefully and from the depths of his soul, he will certainly obtain those virtues. It is certainly true, however, that the recitation of the Qur'an deserves rewards, but, besides the original and essential rewards given by Allah, its effects on personal behavior will exist only when this recitation is a premise for contemplation and action. [^1]: Nur-uth- Thaqalayn, vol. 1, p. 26; & Majma'-ul-Bayan, vol. 1, p.

32 [^2]: Thawab-ul-A'mal (according to the citation of Nur-uth-Thaqalayn vol. 1, p. 36). [^3]: Minhaj-us-Sadiqin, vol. 1, p. 120; & Majma'-ul-Bayan, vol. 1, p. 32 [^4]: Al-Burhan Fi Tafsir-il-Qur'an, vol. I, p. 52 Previous…