الحمد لله رب العالمین و الصلاة و السلام علی رسول الله [صلی الله علیه و سلم] و علی آله و صحبه اجمعین و اشهد ان لااله الا الله وحده و لا شریک له و اشهد ان محمدا عبده و رسوله.
Translation: All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah [peace be upon him], and upon his family and all his Sahaba. I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, alone with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
After thanking and praising Allah Almighty for the blessing of Islam and for health and safety, this treatise, titled Tadabor al-Quran (Contemplation in the Quran), discusses the following topics:
– Definition of Tadabor (Contemplation)
– The importance of Contemplation in the Quran
– The ruling on Contemplation in the Quran
– The reasons for not Contemplating in the Quran
– Things that help in Contemplation in the Quran
– The fruits and benefits of Contemplation in the Quran
As for the definition of Tadabor: the word Tadabor in Arabic is a root derived from the past tense verb Tadabbara, which means “to put behind.” It refers to going, ending, finishing, and coming after. The meaning of دبر الشيء is to come after it and behind it. Similarly, تدبر الأمر means to notice behind a matter, consider its consequences, and reflect on it. The word means paying attention to the end of a matter, particularly to aspects that were not initially seen.
Allah Almighty says: أَفَلَمْ يَدَّبَّرُوا الْقَوْلَ (Mu’minun: 68): “Did they not pay attention and reflect on what was addressed to them in the Glorious Quran?”
In short, Tadabor in the original language refers to examining the end of a matter and thinking about it. In scholarly terminology, Allama Alusi (may Allah have mercy on him) states in his book Ruh al-Ma’ani: “The original Tadabor is to reflect and think about the back of a matter and its consequences, but later, it has come to encompass any contemplation, whether it is on the truth of that thing or its parts, antecedents, or consequences.”
Allama Abdul Rahman Sa’adi (may Allah have mercy on him) further explains in the first volume of his commentary on Tadabor that it means to reflect on the meanings of the Quran and to think deeply about the Quran’s principles, consequences, and requirements.
In summary, the meaning of Tadabor in the Quran involves understanding its words and meanings, contemplating the points and references indicated by its verses, and allowing one’s heart to benefit from the Quranic advice through humility and obedience to its commands and prohibitions.
The Importance of Contemplation (Tadabor)
The importance of Contemplation is well-known and supported by much evidence. Contemplation of the Quran is one of the essential pieces of advice given regarding its use. Hafiz Ibn Rajab states: “The advice related to the Book of Allah is rooted in recognizing its great status, for it is the word of the Creator. This involves a strong desire to understand it and a genuine effort to reflect upon it while reciting it, so that the meanings that Allah intends for His servant to grasp become clear.”
Just as when a person receives advice, they strive to understand it; similarly, one who is advised by the Book of Allah should endeavor to comprehend it and act upon its commands regarding what pleases and benefits them. They should strive to spread, teach, and exemplify the principles and ethics of the Book of Allah (s.w.t).
Here are several points that highlight the importance of Contemplation as noted by scholars:
1. The Heart’s Need for Contemplation: A heart filled with the fear of Allah requires contemplation on the verses of the Holy Quran. Those who seek a humble heart must inevitably reflect on the Quran and ponder its profound verses. Allama Ajri (RA) states: “A wise believer opens and recites the Quran—acting as a mirror to compare their good and bad deeds. They refrain from what their Lord has prohibited, fear His punishment, and are motivated by what brings them hope.” If someone possesses this quality while reciting or approaches it similarly, they have honored the right of recitation. In turn, the Quran becomes a witness and protector for them, extending blessings to their family and children.
He adds: “The Quran serves as a healing for them; they find richness without wealth and friendship in otherwise fearful circumstances. When they begin to recite a Surah, they anticipate what lessons they will learn, focusing not on merely finishing but on understanding the divine address to themselves.” It is vital to note that reciting the Quran without contemplation is insufficient for true worship.
2. Being Praised by Allah for Contemplation: A person who reflects on the Quran’s meanings, acts on its commands, and refrains from its prohibitions will be included among those Allah has praised. As stated in Surah Anfal (2): إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ: “Indeed, the believers are only those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, and whose faith increases when His verses are recited to them, and who put their trust in their Lord.”
3. Avoiding Condemnation from Allah: Allah has condemned those who abandon contemplation of the Quran and do not reflect upon or understand its verses. He states in Surah An-Nisa (82): أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ: “Will they not ponder over the Quran?” Allama Qurtubi explains that hypocrites are criticized for their aversion to pondering its meanings.
Allama Shanqiti notes that many verses reprimanding those who turn away from the Quran demonstrate that the obligation to reflect on and understand its messages is essential for all Muslims. Ignoring contemplation is seen as one of the worst failures.
Therefore, if such emphasis is placed on the importance of contemplation, then what is its ruling?
Ruling: Allah Almighty has made Contemplation, reflection, and careful consideration of the meanings of the Quran obligatory. The hypocrites’ failure to engage in Contemplation has been condemned in various verses, including Surah An-Nisa (82) and Surah Muhammad (24): أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَى قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا: “Will they not reflect on the Quran, or are their hearts locked?”
Numerous verses emphasize the necessity of contemplation. The consensus (Ijma) among commentators (Mufasireen) is that the Quran must be thought over and understood deeply. Allama Tabari (may Allah have mercy on him) states that Allah encourages His servants to learn from the Quran’s verses and signs, indicating that it is obligatory for them to strive to comprehend what is not hidden in terms of interpretation and Contemplation.
Allama Qurtubi commented that it is obligatory to know the meanings of the Quran, emphasizing that the obligation to ponder over it is to understand its message. Similarly, Allama Shawkani (may Allah have mercy on him) notes that the verses indicate the necessity of Contemplation to grasp the Quran’s meanings fully.
Despite the numerous texts and evidence commanding contemplation, many Muslims today focus solely on the recitation of Quranic words, directing their attention to other distractions. They may hold the Quran in their hands but have forgotten that true blessings lie in Contemplating on its verses, understanding them, embodying its principles, obeying its commands, and avoiding its prohibitions.
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