Quranic Reflections - Islamic School of Stanford

ayah to the other as this surah is considered the one with the largest number of
references to the Book.
For example, the Qur’an acts as a shield of protection for its people. Allah (SWT)
says what can be translated as, “And when you read the Qur’an, We make between
you and the ones who do not believe in the Hereafter a screened curtain. And We
make lids upon their hearts so that they could not comprehend it, and (we make)
in their ears an obstruction. And when you mention your Lord alone in the
Qur’an, they turn their backs in repulsion” (TMQ, 17:45-46).
Furthermore, the Qur'an includes historical secrets and civilization-building norms.
Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And decidedly not a city is there
excepting that We will be causing it to perish before the Day of the Resurrection,
or We will be tormenting it with a strict torment. That has been in the Book
inscribed” (TMQ, 17:58).
The stress laid on the greatness of the Qur'an in Surat Al-Israel is quite palpable to
readers who have started the journey with us and have reached Part 15, the middle of
it. Readers are by all means encouraged to sense the significance of the Qur’an and
are not advised to read it indifferently, simply because the ayahs such as the ones
discussed here offer them a great opportunity to improve their status on the Day of
Judgment. The Prophet (SAWS) says, " On the Day of Judgment, the reciter of the
Qur'an will be summoned: "Read, and be promoted (be raised to sublimity) and recite
melodiously (i.e. the Qur'anic verses) for your (religious) rank accords with the last
ayah you recited.” 2
Dear Muslim brother/sister, the number of the levels of Jannah (Paradise) equal that
of the Qura'nic ayahs. Don't you want to go to Jannah Don't you dream of it
Don't you want Al-Ferdaos Al-A’ala (the highest level of Jannah) If you do, then
always read the Qur'an, especially in Al-Fajr prayer (the dawn prayer) and in Qiyam
(night prayers). In this regard, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Keep up
the prayer at the sinking of the sun to the dusk of the night and (the reading) of
the Qur’an at dawn; surely the reading of the Qur’an at dawn has been
witnessed” (TMQ, 17:78). Allah (SWT) also says what can be translated as, “And
keep constant vigil with it (The Qur’an) (part) of the night (These are the late
night supererogatory prayers) as an accordance for you; it may be that your
Lord will make you rise again to a praised station.” (TMQ, 17:79).
A cure and mercy to believers
Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And We are sending down, of the
Qur’an, that which is a cure and a mercy to the believers; and it increases the
unjust in nothing except in greater loss” (TMQ, 17:82). As mentioned in Surat
An-Nahl, the word “cure” in Qur’an is only associated with Qur’an and honey. This
is because honey is a cure to bodily diseases while Qur’an is a cure to the hearts and
souls that truly understand its value.
The challenge of Qur’an
2 Good Hadith, narrated by Al-Albany.