صاحب القرآن The Quran's friend

How many times have you heard of the term "صاحب القرآن" or "friend of the Quran"? I'm sure you've heard it many times throughout lectures, conferences, khutba's, stories of companions, ahadeeth and the likes. We are advised not to just read the Quran, but befriend the Quran and make it our best friend, the ultimate companion we turn to in all aspects of life. Sometimes, however, it can be hard to prioritize our meetings with it as we priorities our outings with close friends and family. I've been contemplating why that is and have come up with a theory. 

We are used to "give and take" relationships in this life. We rely on our friends for favors and they expect us to return the favor. We give and take with our friends, literally, as our friendship strengthens. They give us comfort when we are in need, and they expect to take that same comfort from us when they are in need. But how can we give and take with the Quran? We give it our time and energy, but sometimes we don't physically feel anything in return. Surely we get good deeds and blessings, but we cannot always physically feel it giving back to us. 

This is where we are forgetting something very essential. Think of the day we are all keenly preparing for, the day we fear, the day we pray goodness for: our death. Once we are 6 feet under ground, who will be there for us? Remember those friends we were close to in life, the friends we used to give and take with? We will hear their footsteps walking away from us. They can no longer "give" us after our death. In this moment of extreme aloneness, where we will long for a companion, is where the Quran can literally give back to you. This is where befriending the Quran in life will pay off. The Quran can intercede for its companion as mentioned in a hadeeth, and will serve as a light for that person in his/her grave. It will plead "Oh Allah this person stayed up reading me, held me tight in times of hardship, explored my words and recited me day and night, so for that let me comfort them in their grave and help them up to eternal bliss". It is in this moment that the Quran can serve as evidence for you in preparation for the most crucial day, the Day of Judgment. 

What more of an incentive can we ask for? The Quran will be there for us when we are in the most dire need of companionship. All we have to do is do our part in this life. Befriend it now so it will give back to you later when it matters most. Don't just read it but live with it. Think of the Quran as an ocean you can dive into and extract treasures that will shape your world today and lighten your path in the hereafter. Strengthen your relationship with it now and be positive that this friendship will be an everlasting one. 

Al-ankaboot/The spider

Surah 29 - Alankaboot- The Spider

This verse really struck me:

Verse 10:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ فَإِذَا أُوذِيَ فِي اللَّهِ جَعَلَ فِتْنَةَ النَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ اللَّهِ 

"From the people are those who say we believe in God but then when they are afflicted for His sake they perceive God's test as a punishment from Him". 

This stands true today. Many times we perceive bad situations as a tragedy in a way where God is punishing us. But here God reminds us that hardships are actually tests for us to endure and learn from. 

The meaning of this verse goes in hand with the very 2nd verse:

أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ

Did people think that they will be left alone saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested?

Just because you have faith doesn't mean that God will not give you hardship. We are here on earth to be tested, so surely while here more tests will come up. May God make us steadfast during trials and tribulations. Ameen.