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The Qur’an strengthens mental faculties
“It has been scientifically established that reciting the noble Qur’an with measured intonation, listening to its verses and attending to them strengthens mental faculties. The mental frequencies emitted by the sounds of Qur’anic recitation cause the mind to produce a series of frequencies and energies scientifically known as ‘brain waves.’ If you truly wish to supply your mind with nourishing sound waves, listen to the noble Qur’an, attend closely to its verses, and carefully observe how your mental faculties increase and how creative your thinking becomes.”
Comment:
1. God revealed the Qur’an for reflection and remembrance, and to guide people to the true religion founded on monotheism and reverence for the Lord. Concerning reflection, He says: “Do they not reflect on the Qur’an? Had it come from anyone other than God, they would have found much inconsistency in it” (al-Nisa’ 4:82), and: “Do they not reflect on the Qur’an, or are there locks upon their hearts?” (Muhammad 47:24). Concerning remembrance, He says: “We have explained things in various ways in this Qur’an so that they may take heed, but it only increases their aversion” (al-Isra’ 17:41), and: “We have made the Qur’an easy for remembrance; is there anyone who will take heed?” (al-Qamar 54:17). He combines the two in His words: “A blessed Book which We have sent down to you, so that they may reflect upon its verses and those of understanding may take heed” (Sad 38:29). Its guidance for people is stated in: “This Qur’an guides to what is most upright and gives glad tidings to believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward” (al-Isra’ 17:9).
Among its most important effects upon souls, which should be the foremost aim of readers and listeners, is what God indicates in His words: “Had We sent this Qur’an down upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and split apart from fear of God. We set out these examples for people so that they may reflect” (al-Hashr 59:21). Reflect on how He mentions the mountain’s humility if the Qur’an were revealed to it, then concludes by explaining the wisdom of these examples: awakening people, encouraging reflection and discovering the purpose of setting them forth. It is as though He says: if this hard, rocky mountain would fall in humility out of fear of Him were the Qur’an revealed to it, because of the truth it contains, its knowledge of God and His attributes, the reverence and glorification He deserves and other such meanings, then you, human being, have still greater reason for this to be your condition, aspiration and aim, given the discernment, understanding, will and choice He has granted you. How does your creation compare with that of mountains?
2. It was not the way of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, his Companions, may God be pleased with them, or the favoured early generations to encourage people through these innovated methods contrary to their way. These methods sanctify worship’s worldly benefits and raise them to the level of ultimate purposes, making religion a collection of medical prescriptions for improving the physical and psychological condition of individuals and society. In reality, they are far removed from the true meanings for which God sent the messengers and revealed the scriptures. God says: “God certainly bestowed favour on the believers when He sent among them a messenger from themselves, reciting His verses to them, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, though before that they were in manifest error” (Al ‘Imran 3:164).
3. By linking worship to worldly benefits and neglecting its original purpose, these appeals make noble acts of worship into means rather than ends in themselves.
4. God did not reveal the Qur’an for these benefits, which may arise secondarily and are not themselves intended as ends. At most they might be mentioned when discussing the Qur’an’s benefits and the aims of reading and reflecting on it, assuming, of course, that they are valid. God knows best.
For more, see:
Was worship prescribed to protect souls from aggression, oppression and injustice?