This is shared for encouragement.

Hifz was completed 8 years ago, & I am still in Hifz class. I have been, for over 13 years.

I have been doing dhor/muraaj’ia, and assisting my teachers with listening to other students.

Just yesterday one of my ustadhs asked me to begin a Khatam of Nazara (looking in) Qiraa’ah (Hafs Riwayah)

I am the eldest in the class. I’m surrounded by children who are just reaching buloogh. I’ve even recited to a 12 year old, as peers do in Hifz class.

There’s no limit to how much one can improve themselves. All peers my age left due to marriage, work, uni and other commitments

however Allāh decided that I was to remain in this class. And I respect my teachers and my parents who have always encouraged me to stay connected. Because there has been many instances where I’ve felt inclined to leave.

My father, a Maulana often compares my recitation to ‘professional’ reciters - as is the love of a father to overly exaggerate their child’s ability to encourage and express their joy. But I still have never been satisfied with my recitation.

I have reached many points and stages in my learning where I said to myself الحمدلله I think now my tajweed is at a good stage, only to be corrected by my ustadhs on Surah Fatiha.

These mistakes aren’t necessarily harakat mistakes, or reading in a majhool (passive) tone but there are instances where I have read too nasily or haven’t dropped my tongue enough in the places of makharaaij (where letters are pronounced).

These points have been emphasised by my teachers because they want students to recite the Qur’an as best as possible. And there is always room for improvement.

At this point the thread directs towards reciters who share their Qiraa’ah. May Allāh bless you and increase you.

Those who share their recitation, ما شاء الله, May Allāh give you more,

But sometimes it is worth thinking & rechecking ones intentions. It doesn’t mean we stop reciting but we should really ask, what’s the purpose of my posting.

To what degree will people benefit? Is it for the enjoyment of their ears? Is it for the enjoyment of my soul, or, is it for the sake of Allāh. These questions are worth asking because social media is a big place. Even these tweets we have to answer for.

We may be pure at heart, but sometimes we lose track along the way because our enemy makes us fall. Shaytan doesn’t want us to stay pure, he wants to make us impure like him, so he will look for a way to deviate us at all times.

It can be generalised to say we all love listening to Qur’aan, especially those who have a good melody, but sometimes we can forget that above melody, a correct recitation which adheres to the laws of tajweed is key.

For a long time like almost every Hifz student, we would dream about reciting like the Imams of Haram. But only as we learn more we realise that melody is meant to be natural and individual to us, and it’s more important that we focus on reading correctly.

It’s easy to lose track of our intentions, and it’s even more easy to slip up when we have public platforms.

As students of knowledge who wish to do service of the deen, it is refreshing to remember, how important it is for us to renew and maintain our intentions.

To which I conclude with the reminder of Al Jawami’ Al Kalim, the Noble and Most Revered Prophet ﷺ:

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

Verily, the first people to be judged on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who was martyred.

He will be brought, the blessings of Allah will be made known and he will acknowledge them. Allah will say: What did you do about them? The man will say: I fought in your cause until I was martyred.

Allah will say: You have lied, for you fought only that it would be said you were brave, and thus it was said. Then, Allah will order him to be dragged upon his face until he is cast into Hellfire.

Another man studied religious knowledge, taught others, and recited the Quran. He will be brought, the blessings of Allah will be made known and he will acknowledge them. Allah will say: What did you do about them?

The man will say: I learned religious knowledge, taught others, and I recited the Quran for your sake. Allah will say: You have lied, for you studied only that it would be said you are a scholar and you recited the Quran only that it would be said you are a reciter.

and thus it was said. Then, Allah will order him to be dragged upon his face until he is cast into Hellfire.

Another man was given an abundance of blessings from Allah and every kind of wealth. He will be brought, the blessings of Allah will be made known and he will acknowledge them. Allah will say: What did you do about them?

The man will say: I did not leave any good cause beloved to you but that I spent on it for your sake. Allah will say: You have lied, for you spent only that it would be said you are generous, and thus it was said.

Then, Allah will order him to be dragged upon his face until he is cast into Hellfire

رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا
إِنَّهَا سَاءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا

Our Lord! Avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily! Its torment is forever an inseparable, permanent punishment. Indeed it (Hell) is evil as an abode and as a place to dwell.