Question: What
is the status of Khatm-i- Qur’an in Islam as a means of obtaining the protection
of Allah?
Answer:
Recitation of the whole of the Qur’an in a ceremonial gathering for the
purpose of obtaining the blessings of God in order to protect ourselves
or our loved ones against harm has become a very common practice in the
subcontinent. One seldom finds this practise prevalent in any other Muslim
country.
We should
first understand that the directives of Islam fall into two categories.
One which concerns man and God, about which explicit instructions in their
minutest details have been given to us e.g. Salah, Fasting, Hajj, Zakah
etc. Any voluntary increase or decrease in any of these details would fall
under religious innovation (bid‘ah) which is totally forbidden. The other
category concerns man and his fellow human beings which cover such areas
as the social, economic, political, penal and educational systems etc.
In this category, the basic principles have been laid out and it falls
on the individuals of a certain age and society to formulate systems according
to these principles.
The above
mentioned practise of Khatm-i-Qur’an, it is evident, falls in the first
category. The best way to prove the authenticity of any act is to look
for its instruction and approval in the Qur’an or in the practises of the
Prophet (sws). Since this cannot be found in any of the above it can safely
be placed under the category of bid‘ah like any other addition to religion.
The Prophet (sws) has said that any addition in the circle of Islam is
a bid‘ah and every bid‘ah is a transgression and fuel for the fire of Hell.
The irrationality
of this practice can be detected if we ponder for a moment on what the
subject matter of the Qur’an is. The main topic which the Qur’an
stresses
on is the after life and many arguments are given to support this point
which is so important that once someone wholeheartedly believes in it,
it changes the course of his life. Now how can a person start to analyse
these arguments when he cannot even understand what he is reading. He can
read it 50 times and call his neighbours and friends to help him but he
would be no wiser than what he was at the start. And after all that how
can he hope that Allah will reward him or bless him for such blatant indifference
and negligence towards his Word and commands.
Therefore
the very essence of Khatm-i-Qur’an is against the spirit of Islam and
all that it signifies.
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