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4 This topic i s discussed in detail by Taataay, pp. 332-333. Hadith #36: "Whoever Relieves a Believer. . . " by al-Bukhari and Muslim in which he stated that during every Ramadhan, the angel Gabriel would "study" ( ..... )Ȣ) the Quran with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).1 However, that is not what the hadith of ibn Abbaas explicitly states. Therefore, it is difficult to be definitive with respect to that conclusion. Al-Teebi says that the word translated here as, "study," includes all of the aspects by which one understands the Quran. This includes the learning and teaching of the Quran itself. It also includes the study of the commentary and explanation of the meaning of the verses.2 Al-Teebi' s interpretation seems to be feasible. In this hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned both the reading of the Quran and its study. There must be some difference between the two facets. The first aspect is the actual reciting of the words of the Quran, which is a must. The second aspect is the effort to understand what those words mean and how one must apply them in one's life. The Results of Reading and Studying the Quran This hadith mentions, implicitly or explicitly, the five very important results that accrue from reading the Quran: (1) Reading and studying the Quran is a path to gaining knowledge. Therefore, when a group of Muslims read and study the Quran, Allah will make the path to Paradise easy for them. (2) When people read and study the Quran, tranquillity is descended upon them.3 In a hadith in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, it is recorded that a Companion was reciting Surah al-Kahf when clouds surrounded him and continued coming closer and closer to him. His horse was becoming fearful at the sight. In the morning, he mentioned that to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and he said, .. 0 ... ,. J ,;_ 01° : IL, ІЇ. Ј ȡ\ ௻ / f" . r -/ / "That is the tranquillity that descends with the Quran." This is a special feeling of calm and peace when a person remembers Allah or recites the Quran. The heart becomes at rest and peace with itself. In fact, this is the only real way for the heart to become truly full of peace and tranquillity. Allah says in the Quran, 1 Taataay, p. 349. 2 Al-Teebi, vol. 1 , p. 665. 3 Qaadhi lyaadh understood this as referring to "mercy''. However, most commentators refute this idea because mercy is mentioned in the following phrase of this hadith. See al-Nawawi, Sharh sahih, vol. 1 7, p. 2 1 . 1095 - Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi J ,, ,.,, ,,.. ,.,, ,,.. ,,, A,,.. ,.,, ,, ,,.. y_,liJI l,:G/; 1 f=P Qi 1 f P णjil l,:G/;j \õ1; (r-ͶI "Those who believed and whose hears find rest and tranquillity in the remembrance of Allah: verily, it is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts do find rest and tranquillity" (al-Rad 28). (3) When reading and studying the Quran, the Muslims are covered with mercy. The meaning of this phrase is that they are literally covered and completely enveloped by Allah's mercy. The reading and study of the Quran is an act of piety. And Allah has said in the Quran, \.) ୞ .&\ ୈJ 01 ת / / / ' "Verily, the mercy of Allah is close to the pious doers of good" (al-Araaf 56). ( 4) The angels surround those who read and study the Quran. Al­ Haitami states that the angels of mercy and blessings surround them and cover the spaces between them and the lowest heaven, as is mentioned in some other hadith. They do this to listen to the words of remembrance and to invoke blessings upon those who are remembering Allah. They protect those people from any form of evil. They also do not leave any opening for the Satan to enter. 1 (5) Allah mentions those who read and study the Quran to those in His presence. Al-Sindi wrote that the One making the mention is the greatest One and He is mentioning them to a very great creation, the noble angels. If this were the only honor bestowed upon those who remember Allah, this would be sufficient for them.2 The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Allah has said, 'I am as My servant expects of Me. I am with him when he mentions [or remembers] Me. If he remembers Me to himself, I mention him to Myself. If he mentions me to a gathering, I mention him to a gathering that is better than his." (Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim.) Allah has also said, } ,, ,,.. , ,, rs;.bMi R)SMLi "Therefore, remember Me, I will remember you" (al-Baqara 152). Allah's mentioning of a slave is in reference to His mentioning that slave and praising him in the presence of the angels that are with Allah.3 1 Cf., ibn Daqeeq al-Eid, Sharh, p. 95; Al-Haitami, Fath, p. 260.