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Imam Musa al-Kazim's Deep Attachment with the Holy Qur'an
One of the qualities, which Islam desires to see in every Muslim, is that of Hamalatul-Quran ‘Bearer of Quran’. Simply put, a Muslim must strive to always think Quran, talk Quran, act according to Quran and his entire life should be based upon Quran.
The Holy Prophet (saww) has said,
“The most distinguished people of my nation are those who are bearers of Quran and keep up the night prayer”. (Meezan al-Hikmah)
Imam Musa ibn Ja’ffar al-Kadhim had this quality. He (as) was:
Hafidhul-Quran: ‘one who had memorised the Quran’
Qaari al-Quran: ‘one who could recite the Quran in the best manner’
‘Aamil bil-Quran: ‘one who acted according to Quran’
‘Aalimul-Quran: ‘one who had the knowledge of Quran’. (Quran-o-‘Itrat)
Explaining the Holy Qur'an
Al-Mahdi – the Abbasid ruler once asked Imam al-Kadhim (as), “Has consumption of Alcohol been forbidden in the Holy Quran? I am asking this because people know that they have been stopped from its consumption but they are unaware of its forbiddance”.
Imam (as) replied, “Ofcourse Alcohol has been made Haraam (forbidden) in the Holy Quran”.
Al-Mahdi asked, “Where in Quran Allah has explicitly forbidden it?”
Imam (as) recited the following verse:
“Say: My Lord has only forbidden indecencies, the outward among them and the inward ones, and sin and undue aggression…” (7:33)
Then the Imam (as) went on to explain:
“The outward indecency refers to Zinaa (Adultery & Fornication). In the days of paganism (pre-Islamic era), the perverts used to raise flags outside places, which served as brothels.
The inward indecency refers to marriage with stepmothers. In the days of paganism, when a woman lost her husband, the stepson would marry her.
And Sin is in reference to consumption of Alcohol”.
Explaining how the word Ithm that means ‘sin’ denotes ‘Alcohol’, Imam (as) pointed out another verse of the Holy Quran in which the stated term refers to Alcohol. He (as) recited this verse: “They ask you concerning wine and gambling. Say: There is a great sin in both of them…” (2:219)
When Al-Mahdi heard such a detailed reply given from the Holy Quran, he said, “This ruling is a ruling of a Hashimite”. (Al-Kaafi)
Imam's Relation with the Holy Qur'an
Imam Musa ibn Ja’ffar al-Kadhim (as) was extremely attached to the Holy Quran throughout his entire life.
Shaykh Mufeed (a.r.) has reported that:
‘Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) was the most knowledgeable person in Quran during his days. He (as) was its protector and propagated its teachings to the people. In addition, there was no better recitor of Quran than the Imam (as) and whenever he (as) recited it, the listeners were deeply touched and wept’.(Al-Irshaad)
Hafs has reported that:
‘I have not seen anyone more fearful of Allah (SWT) and most hopeful of His mercy than Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as). He (as) used to recite the Holy Quran in sad and sorrowful tone; and whenever he (as) engaged in its recitation, it appeared as though he (as) was addressing the people’. (Al-Kaafi)
Ayatullah Shaykh Ali Karimi states:
The following are the special characteristics of Imam al-Kadhim (as) in respect to the Holy Quran:
Firstly, he (as) was the greatest Hafidh (one who memorises) and protector of Quran to an extent that no one could match him in this.
Secondly, Imam (as)’s recitation of Quran surpassed everyone else’s recitation and he (as) had the most beautiful voice.
Thirdly, the tone of Imam (as)’s recitation was sad and sorrowful and this is considered as one of the important ethics of reciting the Holy Quran.
And finally, whenever he (as) recited the Holy Quran, the listeners would feel as though he (as) was addressing them. (Quran-o-‘Itrat)
Holy Quran on His Shroud
Allah (SWT) blessed Imam al-Kadhim (as) with a shroud that had the whole of Quran written over it.
It is mentioned in ‘Uyoon Akhbaar ar-Ridha’ that when Imam al-Kadhim (as) was martyred, Sulayman bin Ja’ffar provided for him a Kafan ‘shroud’ that contained a Yemeni chador on which the entire Quran was written.
Perhaps it is for this reason why some Shia’h Ulama (Scholars) also have Quran written on their shrouds. Ayatullah Shaykh Ali Karimi states that he had heard Marhum Ayatullah al-‘Udhma Sayyid Gulpaygani saying on the 13th Dhul-Hijjah, ‘I purchased for myself a Kafan fourty years ago from Mashad al-Muqaddas on which Quran is written’. When asked, “The entire Quran or only part of it?” He said, “The entire Quran”. (Quran-o-‘Itrat)
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