3. A cure for the hardness of the heart
It’s really heartbreaking, devastating and astounding to see the sort of crimes perpetrated by hard-hearted criminals. Sentencing and imprisoning such people is not the only solution to stopping such problems all together as some are never caught or convicted at all. The root reason behind these crimes is the hardness of the heart and being estranged from Allah’s Words. Allah Almighty has said, “Then, after that, your hearts were hardened and became as stones or even worse in hardness.” [Al-Baqarah 2:74]
Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) has eloquently written in this regard:
“The servant is not afflicted with a punishment greater in severity than the hardening of the heart and its being distant from Allaah. The Fire was created to melt the hardened heart, this heart which is the most distant of hearts from Allaah. If the heart becomes hardened the eye becomes dry.” [Al-Fawaa’id]
By the grace of Allah we find that many of our respected scholars have outlined the various causes that bring about the hardness of the heart and the remedies for it. Some of the reasons which bring about the hardness of the heart are: being away from the remembrance of Allah, sins, laughing a lot, talking too much, excessive eating and illicit sexual behavior.
Many continue on transgressing in this regard till the whole heart is engulfed in darkness even though such mistakes shouldn’t and must not be taken lightly as it’s a slippery slope and a deep dark black hole which if not treated with caution may turn things from bad to worse. The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “When the believer commits a sin, a black spot appears on his heart. If he repents and gives up that sin and seeks forgiveness, his heart will be polished. But if (the sin) increases, (the black spot) increases. That is the raan which Allah mentions in His Book: “Nay! But on their hearts is the Raan (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn.” [At-Tirmidhi said that it is sahih (authentic)]
As Muslims we should know better. We need to learn to take our spirituality from the Qur’aan, the cure for all the hardness and diseases of the heart. Allah Almighty questions: “Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe to be affected by Allah’s Reminder (this Qur’aan), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened?” [Al-Hadeed 57:16]
So dear sister, by becoming a Haafidhah of the Qur’aan, Allah Willing, your heart too will change for the better: “The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Qur'an) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone).” [Al-Anfâl 8:2]
4. The Solution to the World’s Problems, the Road to Prosperity and Happiness, a Great Tool for Da’wah
The Qur’aan is the solution to the crisis and falsehood the world is drowning in today. As history testifies, the people who took this book and wholeheartedly dived into its ocean of guidance became from the lowest to the highest, from no-bodies to somebodies, from bedouins and shepherds to leaders. If we undertake its journey it will steer us to a gain, never to be regretted. Everyone has problems, but few indeed are those who know where to find the solutions. The Haafidhah, by having memorized the Qur’aan, will be able to excel in helping other women around the globe using the Words of her Lord as her greatest asset in this endeavor. For example, today in Britain, mixed anxiety and depression is the most common mental disorder.{footnote}Mental health foundation (http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/mental-health-statistics/){/footnote} In truth, the solution for this, and other such disorders, is the remembrance of Allah Almighty, as the Qur’aan clearly announces: “Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” [Ar-Ra’d 13: 28]
For the Haafidhatul-Qur’aan, if she were to one day stand and deliver a reminder to the people or deliver a study circle, her evidences from the Qur’aan will be in her heart and in this way whenever she’ll intend to speak on a specific subject, her Hifdh will help her find the evidences from the Qur’aan and they will flow from her mouth to the hearts of the people straight away. Allah Almighty has stated: “…(This is) a Book which We have revealed unto you in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness into light by their Lord’s Leave to the Path of the All-Mighty, the Owner of all Praise.” [Ibraaheem 14:1]
5. You will be Mentioned by Allah to the Angels
Another way by which the Muslimah can strengthen her Hifdh is by attending a Halaqah (Circle) for sisters by sisters, especially geared towards memorizing and understanding the Book of Allah. I used to live near a Masjid which holds memorization circles for sisters, and they were quite successful. Sisters who don’t have such a facility near them should aspire to start up something similar in their locality in the near future.
The Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, "No people gather in one of the Houses of Allah [i.e. the Masjids] reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, but tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will envelop them, the angels will surround them, and Allah will make mention of them amongst those who are with Him. Whoever is slowed down by his actions will not be hastened forward by his lineage." [Sahîh Muslim, Hadîth no.2699]
6. The Banquet of Allah, the Most High and Mighty
How do you feel when you are invited to a banquet, a get-together by loved ones or dear sisters? Do you get excited? Do you feel something warm take over your heart? Remember the last time you were invited to a feast. How long did you take getting ready? How long did it take to get there? How long did you spend there? All together how many hours did you spend there? What made you take out so much time for it?
Now, let’s think about how we would feel if we were invited to Allah’s banquet! How would you feel? How much time would you take out for it? It is narrated from Ibn Mas’ood (radhiallaahu `anhu) that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “Indeed this Qur’aan is the banquet of Allaah, so learn as much as you can from the banquet of Allaah. Indeed this Qur’aan is the strong rope of Allaah and it is the clear guidance and it is a beautiful cure, a protection for those who cling to it and a salvation for those who follow it. Nothing is bent or corrupted except that the Qur’aan rectifies it, nor deviated but that it reprimands them. Its marvels do not fade nor is the sweetness of it decreased by the frequency of those who recite it. So recite it, for indeed Allaah will bestow upon you ten times the single reward for your recitation of each letter. I do not say Alif Laam Meem is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter and Meem is a letter.” [Reported by al-Hakim, declared sahih by al-Albani in al-silsilah al-sahihah, 660]
It’s your chance NOW to partake in a banquet you’ve never experienced before.
An unimaginable experience, never to be forgotten.