Imam Sajjad's Deep Love for the Holy Qur'an (Part 1)

Imam Ali ibn al-Hussein al-Sajjad (A.s) held the Holy Qur’an dearly to his heart. This is evident from his sayings and behavior with regard to the Qur’an. For instance, Zuhri has reported having heard Imam al- Sajjad (A.S) saying:

“If the inhabitants of the East and the West all perish and I am left alone with only the Glorious Qur’an, I will not become victim of any desolation”. (Al-Kaafi)

What the Imam (A.S) implied was that even if the entire earth became empty and he (A.S) was left alone therein, he (A.S) would neither feel sad nor lonely for as long as he (A.S) had the Holy Qur’an with him. Qur’an contains the words of Allah and whoever recites it shall feel as though Allah is with him and conversing to him. Therefore, even if such a person is left alone at any place and in any situation – he will certainly not feel lonely.

Imam al-Sajjad (A.S) has also said:

“Befriend Qur’an and you will not have to worry about desolation of any kind”.

Referring to the Holy Qur’an

Zayd was one of the sons of Imam al-Sajjad (A.S). This is the same son who became a great martyr in the cause of Islam. It is narrated that:

[One of the habits of Imam al-Sajjad (as) was that after performing Fajr (morning) prayer till sunrise, he (A.S) never talked to anyone. One day, after Fajr, Imam (A.S) was given the good news about the birth of a son in his house.

Imam (A.S) asked his companions, “What should I name him?” Everyone suggested some names. The Imam (A.S) then turned towards his servant and asked him to bring the Holy Qur’an. He (A.S) opened the Holy Qur’an and the first verse, which he (A.S) saw was:

﴾And Allah has graced those who strive (in His cause) over those who sit back with a great reward. (4:95)﴿

Imam (A.S) then closed the Holy Qur’an and opened it again. This time he (A.S) saw the following verse:

﴾Indeed Allah has bought from the faithful their souls and their possessions for Paradise to be theirs: They fight in the way of Allah, they slay and they are slain. A promise binding upon Him in the Torah and the Evangel and the Qur’an. And who is truer to his promise than Allah? So rejoice in the bargain you have made with Him, and that is the great success. (9:111)﴿

After seeing these two verses, Imam (A.S) said, “By Allah! This is Zayd”.

Zayd means ‘great achiever’ and Imam al-Sajjad (A.S) derived this name from the meanings of the aforementioned two verses. (Bihar al-Anwaar)

His Recitation of the Holy Qur’an

Imam al-Sajjad (A.S) used to recite the Holy Qur’an ‘Haqqa Tilaawatihi’ meaning ‘the way Qur’an deserved to be recited’. One of the ethics of reciting the Holy Qur’an is with ‘Tarteel’.

﴾And recite the Qur’an in a measured tone. (73:4)﴿

This basically means to recite the Holy Qur’an correctly, using a beautiful tone during its recitation and responding to its verses.

Abu Hamza Thumali has reported that whenever Imam Ali ibn al-Hussein (A.S) recited the Holy Qur’an loudly, the members of his household would (all) come out to listen to him. (Qur’an-o-‘Itrat)

Imam Ja’ffar Sadiq (A.S) has said,

“Sayyed al-Sajjideen (Imam al-Sajjad) had the most attractive and beautiful voice amongst people whilst reciting the Qur’an. Whenever he (A.S) recited the Qur’an loudly, people passing-by would stop on his doorstep to listen to him”. (Al-Kaafi)

* Source: alhassanain.com