What are the benefits that a Hafiz gets in this life and the next? and what about his relatives and offspring? What about the generations before and after him?
Praise be to Allaah, firstly, Memorizing the Qur'aan is an act of worship through which one seeks the Face of Allaah and reward in the Hereafter. Without this intention, he will never have any reward, rather he will be punished for doing this act of worship for someone or something other than Allaah. The haafidh (the person who has memorized the Qur'aan) should not have any intention of gaining worldly benefits by memorizing the Qur'aan, because his memorization thereof is not a product to be traded with in this world, rather it is an act of worship which is done for the sake of his Lord. Allaah has given special privileges to the one who memorizes the Qur'aan in a number of ways in this world and in the Hereafter; for example:
1 - He takes precedence over others in leading the prayer
It was narrated that Abu Mas'ood al-Ansaari (RA) said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
'The people should be led in prayer by the one among them who has the most knowledge of the Book of Allaah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Qur'aan, then by the one who has most knowledge of the Sunnah; if they are equal in knowledge of the Sunnah, then by the one who migrated (made hijrah) first; if they are equal in terms of hijrah, then by the one who became Muslim first. No man should lead another in prayer in his domain of authority, or sit in his place in his house, except with his permission." (Muslim)
It was narrated that 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Umar (RA) said:
'When the first muhaajiroon (emigrants) came to Quba', before the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahualayhi wa sallam) came (to Madeenah), Saalim the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfah used to lead them in prayer, and he was the one who knew the most Qur'aan." (Bukhaari)
2 - He is placed in front of others in a common grave, closer to the qiblah, if it is essential to bury him with others
It was narrated that Jaabir ibn 'Abd-Allaah (RA) said:
"The Prophet would wrap two of the men slain at Uhud in a single cloth, then he would ask, 'Which of them knew more Qur'aan?'If one of them was pointed out to him, he would put that one in the lahd (niche in the side of the grave) first. And he said, 'I will be a witness over these people on the Day of Resurrection.' He commanded that they should be buried with their blood, without being washed, and that no funeral prayer should be offered for them." (Bukhaari)
3 - He takes precedence in leadership if he able to bear that
It was narrated from 'Aamir ibn Waathilah that Naafi' ibn 'Abd al-Haarith met 'Umar in 'Usfaan, and 'Umar had appointed him as governor of Makkah. 'Umar said, "Who have you appointed in charge of the people of the valley?" He said, "Ibn Abza." 'Umar asked, "Who is Ibn Abza?" He said, "One of our freed slaves." Umar said, "Have you appointed over them a freed slave?!" He said, "He is well versed in the Book of Allaahand he has knowledge of the laws of inheritance." 'Umar said: "Your Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
'Indeed, by this Book, Allaah would exalt some people and degrade others. '"(Muslim)
With regard to the Hereafter:
4 - The status of the one who memorizes Qur'aan will be commensurate with the last aayah he memorized
It was narrated from 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Amr (RA) that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"It will be said to the companion of the Qur'aan (i.e., the one who memorized and studied it): 'Read, advance in status and recite as you used to do in the world, for your status will be commensurate with the last aayah that you recite.'" (Saheeh al-Tirmidhi).
What is meant by reciting here is memorizing.
5 - He will be with the angels, accompanying them
It was narrated from 'Aa'ishah that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The one who recites the Qur'aan and learns it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven) and the one why exerts himself to learn the Qur'aan by heart and recites it with great difficulty. will have a double reward. " (Bukhaari)
6 - He will be given a crown of honour and a garment of honour to wear
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The Qur'aan will come on the Day of Resurrection and will say, 'O Lord, adorn him.' So he will be given a crown of honour to wear. Then it will say, 'O Lord, give him more.' So he will be given a garment of honour.' Then it will say, 'O Lord, be pleased with him.' So Allaah will be pleased with him. Then it will be said to him, 'Recite and advance in status, and for each verse you will gain one more hasanah (reward for good deed)."(Saheehal-Tirmidhi).
8 - The Qur'aan will intercede for him with his Lord
It was narrated that Abu Umaamah al-Baahili said: "I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) say:
'Recite the Qur'aan, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection to intercede for its companions. Recite the two bright ones, Al-Baqarah and Soorat Aal'lmraan, for they will come on the Day of Resurrection like two clouds or two shades or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Soorat al-Baqarah for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it." (Muslim, 804).
And Honour For The Relatives & Descendants
With regard to his relatives and descendants, there is evidence concerning his parents that they will be clothed with garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world, and that will only be because they took care of and taught their child. Even if they themselves were ignorant, Allaah will honour them because of their child. But the one who prevented his child from learning the Qur'aan, he will be one of those who are deprived.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
'The Qur'aan will come on the Day of Resurrection like a pale man saying to its companion, "Do you recognize me? I am the one who made you stay up at night and made you thirsty during the day ... " Then he will be given dominion in his right hand and eternity in his left and a crown of dignity will be placed upon his head, and his parents will be clothed with garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world. They will say, "O Lord, how did we earn this." It will be said to them, "Because you taught your child the Qur'aan."'(Tabaraani).
It was narrated that Buraydah said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
'Whoever reads the Qur'aan, learns it and acts in accordance with it, on the Day of Resurrection his parents will be given a crown to wear whose light will be like the light of the sun, and his parents will be given garments which far surpass everything to be found in this world. They will say, "Why have we been given this to wear?" It will be said, "Because your child learned the Qur'aan. (AI-Haakim)
And Allaah knows best.
The above questions were answered by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih Al-Munajjid. [See www.islamqa.com]
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited