,
9 tweets,
2 min read
Read on Twitter
[Thread on barakah & memorisation/recitation of Quran]
The barakah argument: "meaningless memorisation/recitation has metaphysical purposes such as barakah." Problem is the way ppl understand barakah which has no basis in the Quran itself.
The barakah argument: "meaningless memorisation/recitation has metaphysical purposes such as barakah." Problem is the way ppl understand barakah which has no basis in the Quran itself.
They mystify the Quran and treat its utility mythologically, where the Quran magically (as in unexplainably) effectuates something. This is contrary to what God says (as I'll show) but I guess proponents wouldnt know this bc engaging w/ Quran meaningfully doesn't hold primacy.
There is barakah (benefit) in the Qur'an of course, it being the emotional, psychological & material benefits that come out of understanding and then acting on the Quran, not an ambiguous magical effect which we can neither define nor see.
The Arabic word means to be established/constant. A 'birkah' is something in which water is collected. In theological context it means growth/increase: 27:8 is abt Moses increased by the fire (God spoke thru burning bush), 37:113 Abraham & Isaac were increased w/ offspring.
7:96 "barakah from the heavens and earth" = rain & plants. In all of these examples, barakah is material. Now God says the Quran is mubarak, confirming what came before, and for the Prophet to warn others with it (6:92). Thus its barakah is understanding what it says!
Similarly, 38:29 says Quran is mubarak *for ppl to THINK ABT ITS MESSAGES & for those w/ UNDERSTANDING to take heed.* I'm not sure it can get more explicit than that. Some argue barakah is in the sounds (ironically after getting sensitive for my criticism of them saying so!)...
& draw analogy b/w Quran & music. It's a fallacious analogy: Quran wasnt revealed to be heard as musical notes (na'udhubillah) but to be understood & followed: "who listen to what is said & follow what is best. These are ones God has guided & are ppl of understanding." (39:18)
To treat a message from God as a Latin hymnbook, or a spellbook, is deeply offensive to God, and it is the devil's plan to render God's guidance unactivated. And no, you dont have to wait to learn Arabic, plenty of translations can initiate your journey.
Some might even question why I have to write this, isn't all this obvious? Apparently not, for many Muslims have this consideration. If they picked up a decent translation, & perhaps connected w/ ppl of understanding, they'd know what they're missing and understand the problem.
