Written by: Maqbool Ahmad Salafi
Islamic Da'wah Center, Northern Taif (Misrah)✦ Introduction: A Common Misconception in Society
There exists a widespread misconception in our society, which is the reason behind writing this article. We ask Allah to guide our community and reform our people.
While interest in religion is already low, this lack reflects practically in diminished adherence to Islamic rulings, reluctance to pursue religious education, and a greater inclination toward secular institutions. This trend has led many away from the deen.
Even though worldly sciences continue to evolve, the importance of Islamic sciences remains constant. In fact, the roots of all beneficial knowledge spring from the Qur'an. The Qur'anic teachings are a means of success in both this life and the Hereafter, whereas modern sciences remain confined to worldly gain. If only Muslims understood this truth!
✦ The Narrow Vision of Some Religious Parents
Some practicing Muslims do wish to secure the Hereafter for their children by giving them an Islamic education. But unfortunately, even among them are those who think too narrowly. For example, some are content with having their child memorize the Qur’an in two or three years—and stop right there.
Such a child remains a Ḥāfiẓ al-Qur’ān for life, from childhood to old age, yet cannot even understand the meaning of “Al-ḥamdu lillāh”, let alone derive guidance from the Book of Allah. This is a deeply saddening reality.
✦ Misattributed Hadith: Will a Hafiz Intercede for 10 Family Members?
One popular misconception is the idea that a Ḥāfiẓ al-Qur’ān will take ten people to Paradise, regardless of their deeds. Let us examine the narrations associated with this claim:
◉ First Hadith:
لِحامِلِ القرآنِ إذا عمِلَ بِهِ ... يشفَعُ فِي عشرَةٍ مِنْ أهلِ بيتِهِ يومَ القيامَةِ ...
(Shuʿab al-Īmān)
Translation: A bearer of the Qur’an, who acts upon it, will intercede for ten of his household on the Day of Judgement, all of whom were destined for Hell.
Status:- Declared weak by Imām al-Albānī – [Ḍaʿīf al-Jāmiʿ: 4662]
- Also classified weak by Imām al-Bayhaqī in Shuʿab al-Īmān
◉ Second Hadith:
مَن قرأَ القرآنَ واستَظهرَهُ ... شفَّعَهُ في عَشرةٍ من أهلِ بَيتِهِ ...
(Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 2905)
Translation: Whoever recites the Qur’an and memorizes it, then acts upon its rulings, will be permitted to intercede for ten of his family members who were bound for Hell.
Status:- Imām Tirmidhī did not grade this narration as Ṣaḥīḥ
- Declared severely weak by Shaykh al-Albānī – [Ḍaʿīf al-Tirmidhī: 2905]
- Shaykh Mubārakpūrī noted the presence of Ḥafṣ ibn Sulaymān, who was declared matrūk al-ḥadīth (abandoned in narration) by Ḥāfiẓ.
Conclusion: These narrations do not provide valid evidence for the claim that a Ḥāfiẓ will intercede for ten people. Therefore, relying solely on this for salvation is misleading.✦ Is Memorization Alone Sufficient?
Undoubtedly, memorizing the Qur’an is a noble act, but the Qur’an was not revealed just to be memorized or recited without understanding. Its purpose is reflection and action.
Misconception: Hafiz Will Be Told to Recite and Ascend
Many believe a Hafiz will be told to keep reciting in the Hereafter and ascend Paradise’s levels. This idea is based on the hadith:
يقالُ لصاحِبِ القرآنِ: اقرأ، وارتَقِ، ورتِّل كَما كُنتَ ترتِّلُ في الدُّنيا...
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tirmidhī: 2914, Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd: 1464]
Translation: It will be said to the companion of the Qur'an: Recite and ascend. Recite with slow measured tone, as you used to in the world. Your level will be at the last verse you recite.
But who is this “Ṣāḥib al-Qur’ān” (Companion of the Qur’an)?It is not merely one who memorizes the Qur’an but one who lives by it. That is why the Qur’an has five major rights:
✦ The 5 Rights of the Qur’an
① Faith in the Qur’an
To believe it is Allah’s speech, free of doubt, absolutely truthful, and just. To accept its rulings and commands fully.
قَرَأتُ كتابَ اللَّهِ فآمنتُ بِهِ وصدَّقتُ
“I read the Book of Allah, believed in it, and affirmed it.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd: 4753]
② Its Recitation (Tilāwah)
To regularly and sincerely recite the Qur’an.
③ Acting Upon It
The Qur’an is not just for reading; it must be implemented.
وَهَـذَا كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مُبَارَكٌ فَاتَّبِعُوهُ
“This is a blessed Book which We have revealed, so follow it...”
[Sūrah al-Anʿām: 155]
مَن قرأ القرآنَ وتعلَّمه وعمِل به ؛ أُلبِسَ والداه يومَ القيامةِ تاجًا من نورٍ
“Whoever reads, learns, and acts upon the Qur’an, his parents will be crowned with light on the Day of Judgment.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Targhīb: 1434]
④ Reflecting on It (Tadabbur)
We are commanded to understand and reflect upon the meanings of the Qur’an.
كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ...
“A blessed Book which We have revealed to you so that they may reflect upon its verses.”
[Sūrah Ṣād: 29]
⑤ Conveying Its Message (Tablīgh)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
بَلِّغوا عني ولو آيةً
“Convey from me, even if it is one verse.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3461]
✦ Who is Truly the "Companion of the Qur’an"?
Only one who fulfills these five rights is deserving of the title Ṣāḥib al-Qur’ān and its virtues on the Day of Judgment:
اقْرَؤوا القرآنَ . فإنه يأتي يومَ القيامةِ شفيعًا لأصحابه
“Recite the Qur’an, for it will intercede for its companions on the Day of Judgment.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 804]
One who abandons these rights is a “Tārik al-Qur’ān” (abandoner of the Qur’an).
وَقَالَ الرَّسُولُ يَا رَبِّ إِنَّ قَوْمِي اتَّخَذُوا هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ مَهْجُورًا
“And the Messenger will say: O my Lord! My people have abandoned this Qur’an.”
[Sūrah al-Furqān: 30]
According to scholars, this abandonment includes:
– Not believing in it
– Not acting upon it
– Not understanding or reflecting on it
– Preferring other ideologies/books over it
✦ Commentary from Scholars
Shaykh Shams al-Ḥaqq al-ʿAẓīmābādī states:
“Whoever acts on the Qur’an, it is as if he always reads it—even if he doesn't. And whoever doesn’t act upon it, it’s as if he never read it—even if he always does.”
[ʿAwn al-Maʿbūd, ḥadīth: 1464]
Thus, reciting or memorizing alone is not enough to attain lofty ranks in Paradise.
✦ The Painful Reality of Many Huffāẓ
- Many Huffāẓ forget the Qur’an
- Many oppose its rulings
- Most are ignorant of its meanings
Yet they and their families hope for intercession and high ranks in Jannah.
Let us correct this mindset:الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلَاوَتِهِ...
“Those to whom We have given the Book, recite it as it should truly be recited—only they truly believe in it.”
[Sūrah al-Baqarah: 121]
Tilāwah with “ḥaqq tilāwatihī” implies understanding, reflection, and practice.✦ Final Advice
◉ Being a Ḥāfiẓ is honorable, but the true Ṣāḥib al-Qur’ān is one who fulfills all five rights.
◉ Encourage your children to memorize the Qur’an, but don’t stop there.
◉ Ensure they also understand, reflect, practice, and teach the Qur’an.
This will be your best ṣadaqah jāriyah.
Let us stop spreading the false belief that a Hafiz will automatically save ten others.
Let’s move beyond ritual recitation and return to living the Qur’an.