The Merit, Precedence and Veneration of the Quran and Its Bearers

I THE MERIT OF RECITING AND BEARING THE Q URAN God, Mighty and Majestic, says: Those who read the Book of God, and establish Prayer, and spend, secretly and openly, from that which He has bestowed on them, they look forward to im­ perishable gain, so that He will fully recompense them their wages and increase them of His grace. Indeed, He is all-forgiving, thank­ ful (Quran, 3 5 :29-30). We relate that 'Uthman ibn 'Affan (God be pleased with him) stated that the Messenger of God

THE MERIT OF RECITING AND BEARING THE QURAN ity of God Most High over His creation."' 1' (TirmidhI related it and said that it is a well-authenticated haditb.) Ibn 'Abbas (God be well pleased with him and his father) stat­ ed that the Messenger of God

2 THE PRECEDENCE OF RECITATION AND OF RECITERS OVER OTHERS It is established that Abu Mas'ud al-Anäari al-Badri (God be pleased with him) stated that the Messenger of God

3 HONORING THE FOLK OF THE QURAN AND THE PROHIBITION OF ANNOYING THEM God Most H igh says, And he who reveres the rites of God, it is from Godfearingness in the heart (Quran, 22:3 2); and He who re­ r;eres what God has deemed sacred, that is better for him with his 'Lord (Quran, 22:30); And lower your wing [in kindness] to those believers who follow you (Quran, 26:21 5); And those who ma­ lign believing men and believing women undeservedly, they bear the guilt of slander and manifest sin (Quran, 33:58). This chapter includes the hadiths of Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari (God be pleased with him) and Ibn 'Abbas (God be pleased with him) that preceded in the second chapter. Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (God be pleased with him) stated that the Prophet