Ijtihad Network Being Wise and Faithful Muslim in the Contemporary World
Imam Rida’s strong love for the holy book, Qur’an, made him benefit from it first in his personal life. Neither time nor place, neither the day nor the night adversely affected this practice.
Qur’an Recitation in the Bed
In addition to reading the Qur’an during the daytime, Imam Rida’s strong love for this divine and holy book made him read the Qur’an at nighttime and even he used to read many verses in bed before going to sleep.
Raja ibn Abi al-Zahhak, who has given a report of Imam Rida’s trip, states:
While lying down in bed, Imam Rida was reciting the Qur’an a lot; whenever he recited a verse in which the Heaven or Hell were remembered, he started crying and beseeching God to grant him the happiness of being in heaven and took refuge in God from the fire of the Hell.
Thousand Rounds of Complete Recitation of the Qur’an
Shaykh Tusi narrates through the words of Ali ibn Ali, Da’bal Khazaei’s nephew: “It was in 198 Hegira that we went to visit and serve Imam Rida (A.S) with my brother Da’bal, and we stayed there till the end of 200 Hegira. When we decided to leave for the city of Qum, Imam Rida (A.S) gave my brother, Da’bal, a green woolen blouse and an agate ring as a gift. He also gave Da’bal some coins on which his name had been graved and then said: “O Da’bal, go to Qum where you’ll have a lot of profits and benefits, and then he emphasized: protect this blouse well since I’ve prayed thousand nights and I’ve read Qur’an thousand times in this blouse.”
Reciting Different Chapters of the Qur’an in His Prayers
Imam Rida (A.S) used to recite various chapters of the Qur’an in all obligatory and recommended prayers during the day and night.
Raja ibn Abi al-Zahhak who accompanied Imam Rida (A.S) in his trip form Medina to Merv, has pointed out this issue in a detailed report:
Imam Rida (A.S) always offered a six-unit recommended prayers at the beginning of every noon in which after Al-Fatihah, he recited Al-Kaafiroon or Al-Ikhlaas; in his two-unit prayers after Salaat Ja’far-e-Tayyar, he was reciting Al-Mulk or Al-Insan. Also, in Witr Prayer, he was reciting Al-Falaq and An-Naas.
In addition, in his obligatory prayers, after Al-Fatihah, he was reciting Al-Qadr; at Friday noon, he was reciting Al-Jumu’ah in his prayers and, Al-Munafiqun in his Isha prayers; on Thursday night, he was reciting Al-A’la; on Monday and Thursday, in his Fajr prayers, in the second unit, he was reciting Al-Ghaashiyah after Al-Fatihah.
Reading the Entire Qur’an in Mecca
According to some documents of Razavi Fiqh, Allama Mohaddes Nouri narrates form Imam Rida (A.S): “If you can, read the Qur’an completely before you leave Mecca, do it since this would be highly appreciated and it is highly recommended in Islam.”
The Holy Qur’an is so dear among Muslims that no one can be indifferent to it let alone the firm status of Imams who themselves were the religion guardians and adherents of the divine book. Imam Rida (A.S) was always paying attention to Qur’an’s guidelines in different aspects of life such as social aspects; he was always asking the entire Islamic community to pay more attention to the Qur’an and apply the following tips in their life:
Dedication to the Qur’an
Imam Rida (A.S) was always saying to his followers like Riyan: “The Qur’an is the words of God; don’t cross its boundaries; don’t seek guidance except in its light; otherwise you’ll be misled.”
Reading and Recitation of the Divine Book
In Uyun Akhbar al-Rida, Shaykh Sadugh states that Imam Rida (A.S) narrated through the words of his fathers and the Messenger of Allah, Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household): “there are six behaviors and deeds that can be taken as the illustration of kindness and generosity, three in the hometown and three kinds of behavior during a journey. In hometown, that is, reading the Qur’an, building mosques and unity among Muslims in giving services to the community; in travel, that is, letting your fellow travelers benefit from your belongings and luggage, being well-tempered and having a sense of humor without solemnities.
Reading, Recitation and Chanting the Qur’anic Verses
The holy Qur’an is beautiful and whatever enhances its beauty would be highly appreciated. For instance, the Qur’an must be read with a loud and a pleasant voice.
Imam Rida (A.S) narrates through the words of his fathers and the Messenger of Allah, Mohammad (peace be upon him and his household): “adorn your recitation of the Qur’an with a pleasant voice since it adds to the beauty of the Qur’an.”
