Reciting the Qur'an even though one does not understand Arabic
Question
I am 18 years old and my father forces me to read Quran online for 1.5 hours every week at set times. I am busy in my studies so this is an annoyance to me and I think it's unnecessary because I have already finished the Quran and sill don't know it's meaning because I've never read it in English and I am reading it in Arabic again. Is this wrong of my father to force me into this? Is it minor shirk?
Answer
1. It is the right of the Qur'an that we recite it daily and practise upon it. One will receive reward for reciting the Qur'an whether one understands its meaning or not.
2. It is compulsory for you to obey your father and show respect and kindness towards him. The Hadith explains that your parents are your Jannat or Jahannum. If you respect and obey them, you will earn Jannah and if you disrespect and disobey them, you will earn Jahannum. As far as your worldly studies are concerned, it will not benefit you in the grave nor in the Aakhirat. Therefore, when your father is concerned about your Aakhirat and commands you to recite the Qur'an, you should happily obey him.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
- Answered by
- Mufti Zakaria Makada
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
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