Allaah, Glorified and Exalted, is the All-Strong. One of His Names is Al-Qawiyy (the All-Strong), and Strength is one of His Attributes. His Speech is powerful, and it encompasses strength from all its aspects. Allaah has set forth a practical example (parable) in the Qur’an to make us understand and reflect.
One of the greatest things in existence is the mountain, and if the Qur’an were to be revealed upon it, it would crumble to such a degree that you would see it splitting with your own eyes. He (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Hashr (59:21):
لَوْ أَنْزَلْنَا هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍ لَرَأَيْتَهُ خَاشِعًا مُتَصَدِّعًا مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ
“Had We sent down this Qur’an on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder for fear of Allaah.”
“you would see it” — meaning with your own eyes.
Imam Al-Qurtubi (Rahimahullaah) said that had it not been for the fact that Allaah (Ta’ala) placed the strength to bear it in the hearts of His servants, they would not be able to bear it, reflect upon, or act on what it contains in terms of obedience and worship. Allaah (Ta’ala) says, and His word is truth: “Had We sent down this Qur’an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder for fear of Allaah.” So, where is the strength of hearts compared to the strength of mountains? Allaah, by His Grace and Mercy, has granted His servants the strength to bear it as He wills.
Some aspects of the Power of the Qur’an:
- One of the powers of the Qur’an is that it reaches a place where none of us can reach— the place of faith within the heart. The Qur’an enters directly and penetrates this area, stirring it and increasing faith, as Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Anfaal (8:2):
وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا
“And when His verses (this Qur’an) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the verses) increase their faith.”
The story of the arrogant tyrant, Al-Walid ibn Al-Mughirah, illustrates this. His face never changed as much as it did when the verses of Allaah were recited to him by the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Indeed, some men’s hearts are stronger than mountains, especially when mixed with stubbornness and pride, this inner strength only increases. Yet, despite this, the recited verses still shake them. The strength of the Qur’an is a reflection of the strength of Allaah, the One Who Spoke it.
This is one of the secrets behind how a companion of the Prophet would change within moments after embracing Islam, or after reciting or hearing verses of the Qur’an. His perceptions, beliefs, and habits—those inherited from his ancestors—would completely change. What is even more astonishing is how he would sever the attachments of his heart and the customs he had been accustomed to. All of this would happen in moments, and as days passed, his faith would continue to grow, uprooting the remnants of ignorance from his heart and behavior, and planting in their place the trees of faith, which bear fruit in every time by the permission of their Lord.
- The strength of the Qur’an lies in how it attacks the bad characteristics of the soul, such as greed, covetousness, arrogance, and pride, and changes them in an instant. It replaces them with humility, submission, and a sense of need before Allaah. Who has the power to change the soul like this? Is this not the greatest form of power? This is the strength of the Qur’an.
- When the Companions (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhum) went beyond their homelands to spread Islam, their very appearance and speech bore witness to their spiritual nature. Anyone who saw them could tell that they were people devoted to Allaah, people of the Hereafter, and followers of the previous Prophets. In fact, when Christians saw them, they would say, “Now we recognize the likeness of the disciples of Christ, whose descriptions we have read in our Books.” Their outward appearance was shaped by the presence of faith and humility. Simply seeing these devout individuals would remind people of Allaah, the Lord of all worlds.
One of Allaah’s Names is Al-Mubeen (the Clear or Manifest), and the impacts of this Name are evident in His righteous servants. They are distinct and clear, easily recognized, and not hidden. This is another aspect of the power of the Qur’an—it changes both the inner and outer aspects of a person.
- Due to the Qur’an’s powerful ability to change its followers, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to include in his supplication:
اللهم اجعل القرآن ربيع قلوبنا
Allaahumma ij’al al-Qur’an rabi’a qulubina
“O Allaah, make the Qur’an the spring of our hearts.”
The choice of the word “spring” (ربيع) here is intentional and calls for reflection. Spring is the season when rain descends from the sky and through it, plants grow. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Indeed, what the spring rain brings forth sometimes kills due to overindulgence or leaves one close to it.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 1465]
The Arabs refer to the season when the first rains fall as “spring” because it is when the rain causes the plants to grow. Others refer to spring as the season after winter because that is when flowers bloom and trees begin to develop their leaves.
Similarly, when the Qur’an enters the heart, it is revived and becomes a living and enlightened heart due to the light it contains; it hears, sees, and understands, while a dead heart neither hears nor sees. The use of the word “spring” in this context indicates that the Qur’an is meant to bring change so that its flowers—symbolizing growth and beauty—can bloom. In other words, the heart does not remain in its state, but it undergoes continuous growth and transformation.
- One of the strengths of the Qur’an is that a single Surah is enough to guide someone to action if its meanings are understood. This is part of the miraculous nature of the Qur’an. Ibn Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) said: “We were the first generation of this Ummah, and a man among the best Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) might have only one Surah or something similar, and the Qur’an was heavy upon them, yet they were granted the ability to act upon it.” He continued, “In the last days of this Ummah, the Qur’an will become light upon them, so much so that even children and non-Arabs will recite it, yet they will not act upon it.” (From “Akhlaq Hamalat Al-Qur’an”)
The question arises: how could just one Surah change a man into one of the best Companions? This is a testament to the power of the Qur’an. Al-Hasan Al-Basri also pointed out the importance of understanding the Qur’an, saying, “By Allaah, Allaah did not reveal a single verse except that He loves for it to be known why it was revealed and what it means.” [Fada’il Al-Qur’an by Abu ‘Ubayd]
This reflection highlights that the power of the Qur’an lies not only in its recitation but in comprehending its meanings, pondering over them, and acting upon them, which is what changed the Companions into the best of people. Abu ‘Ubayd, in his work on the merits of the Qur’an, also emphasized how deeply the Companions were impacted by every verse they learned.
After explaining the aspects of the Qur’an’s strength, we say: if the Qur’an does not bring about change in you, then know that there is a barrier between you and it. This is what Allaah mentioned about those who are not affected by the Qur’an in Surat Al-An’aam (6:25):
وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَسْتَمِعُ إِلَيْكَ ۖ وَجَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَنْ يَفْقَهُوهُ
“And of them are some who listen unto you, but We have set veils on their hearts, lest they should understand.”
These coverings are the barriers that prevent comprehension. They themselves acknowledged this, as Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Fussilat (41:5):
وَمِنْ بَيْنِنَا وَبَيْنِكَ حِجَابٌ
“And between us and you is a screen.”
- Out of His Mercy, Allaah has strengthened the hearts of the believers. Otherwise, the warnings and promises in the Qur’an would be unbearable for living hearts. Who can endure the descriptions of Allaah’s anger, punishment, and wrath? Who can stand before the anger of Allaah? And when Allaah speaks about Paradise, its delights, and His pleasure, who can contain the longing for it and the heart’s yearning for it? As Ad-Darani said, “I have sometimes spent five nights reflecting on a single verse, and had I not left it, I would never have fully grasped it. Sometimes, a verse from the Qur’an would cause the mind to fly, and glory be to the One Who returns it after that.” [Tuhfat Al-Hilyah).
The scholars of Islam often mention the etiquettes of reading the Qur’an, as highlighted by Al-Ajurri in his chapter on the proper conduct of reciters during Qur’anic recitation, emphasizing what should not be neglected. Similarly, Imam Al-Nawawi (Rahimahullaah) mentioned in “At-Tibyaan fi Adaab Hamalat Al-Qur’an” the use of the Miswak (tooth stick) before recitation, the recommended practice of performing Wudu’, choosing appropriate places for reciting, the proper posture while reading, seeking refuge in Allaah (Al-Isti’adhah) and saying the Basmalah, the preferred times for recitation, and other related matters. All of these are means of preparing oneself for engaging with the Qur’an.
The scholars emphasize that approaching the Qur’an is unlike approaching any other book. One prepares to approach the Qur’an in the same way one prepares to meet a person of great honor and majesty. When the heart is filled with reverence for the Qur’an, one can recite it in all states, as was the practice of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) who would read the Qur’an in various states. An example of this is found in Saheeh Muslim no. 301), where it is mentioned that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would recite while resting in the lap of ‘Aishah (Radia-Allahu ‘anha).
To be continued in The Power of the Qur’an (Part 2)
Source:
Ash-Shawq Lil-Qur’an, by Dr. Aqeel bin Salim Ash-Shimmiri
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