Allah the Almighty declares in the Holy Quran,
“And indeed We have made the Quran easy to remember; then is there anyone who will be mindful?[1]”
The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) advised, “If you desire the life of the fortunate, the death of martyrs, salvation on the day of regret, shadow on the day of heat and guidance after deviation, then learn the Quran because it is the Word of the Beneficent, protection from the Satan and will weigh heavily in the scales (on the Day of Judgment).[2]”
He (s.a.w.a.) also said, “The best amongst you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.[3]”
Ameerul Momineen Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) said, “Learn the Quran because it is the best speech and acquire deep knowledge in it because it is the spring of the hearts. Seek cure from its light because it is cure for the hearts and recite it in the best possible manner because it is the most beneficial of stories.[4]”
Imam Ja’far al-Sadeq (a.s.) said, “It is appropriate for a believer that he does not die till he learns the Quran or is in the process of its learning.[5]”
He (a.s.) also gave glad-tidings, “From amongst our lovers and followers, one who dies without the knowledge of the Quran will be taught in his grave so that Allah may raise his grade in it. For, the grades of paradise are equal to the number of verses of Quran and it will be said to the reciter of Quran, ‘Read and go up (in grades).[6]”
Imam Sadeq (a.s.) informed, “Whoever listens to ONE ALPHABET from the Book of Allah – Mighty and Majestic be He – without himself reciting it, Allah will write one good deed for him, erase one sin from him and raise him one degree…whoever learns from it ONE APPARENT ALPHABET Allah will write for him ten good deeds, erase then sins from him and raise him to ten degrees.” He (a.s.) clarified, “I didn’t say for EVERY VERSE but for EVERY ALPHABET like baa, taa and their like...[7]”
Note: The above tradition does not encourage one not to learn the Noble Quran and merely rely on the love of the Ahle Bait (a.s.) and that they will teach him in the grave!! On the contrary, as per the earlier traditions in the previous chapters, both the Book of Allah and Ahle Bait (a.s.) are always together and leaving one will automatically result in forsaking the other. What this tradition seems to imply is that if one cannot learn the Holy Quran for some legal reason, the Imams (a.s.) will help him in the grave. And Allah knows the best what is right.
Duty of Every Father:
Imam Ali (a.s.) says, “The right of a son upon his father is that he gives him a good name, educates him with good manners and tutors him the Quran.[8]”
Importance of Memorizing Despite Weak Memory
Fuzail Ibn Yasaar reports, “I heard [Imam] Abu Abdillah Jafar al-Sadeq (a.s.) say, “Surely, one who practices the Quran and memorizes it despite weak memory will have double the reward.[9]”
Note: It is strictly prohibited to memorize the Quran for the sake of ostentation and showing-off so that people may say that such and such person is a Haafiz. If anybody learns the Quran or memorizes it for worldly fame or wealth, leave alone reward, he will be subjected to the worst of punishment in the Hereafter. There are numerous traditions to support this concept.
[1] Surah Qamar (54): Verse 17
[2] Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 92, p. 19, H. 18
[3] Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 92, p. 186, H. 2
[4] Nahj al-Balaaghah, Sermon 110
[5] Al-Da’waat, p. 220, H. 600
[6] Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 92, p. 188, H. 10
[7] Al-Kaafi, vol. 2, p. 612, H. 6
[8] Nahj al-Balaaghah, Saying 399
[9] Al-Kaafi, vol. 2, p. 606, H.1