Apart from the psychological approach, there are certain objective conditions and stipulations in regard to the handling and reading of the Holy Book. ''none shall touch (the Holy Qur'an) but those who are clean'' (56 : 79). In pursuance of this Divine injuction, it has been laid down that is a person is in a starte of major ceremonial impurity, called 'Had-i-Akbar' he ust first take a bath in the prescribed manner regarding Ghusl. Before he can touch or read the Holy Qur'an; and that a person who is in a state of minor ceremonial impurity, called ''Had-i-Asghar' must first make ablution, or Wudu before touching or reading the Holy Book. There is no objection to reciting The Qur'an from memory (Without opening or touching the book) without Wudu while in a state of Had-I-Asghar. the clothes of the person whi intends to read the Holy Book should be clean and free from mputiry; and the place where he is to recite should alos be clean. Reading the book while in a state of intoxication is prohibited (4 : 43) : The use of alcohol and other intoxication is, of course, prohibited.
There are no restrictions in regard to the time when the Qur'an may be read. Apart from the Qur'anic verses regarding the recitation of the Qur'an, there are a large number of the Holy Prophet's sayings about great spiritual rewards of such reading. Recitation during the night and at dawn is considered of special merit.
Before starting the recitation of the Qur'an, we are required to seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaitan (16 : 98) by saying :- ''A'uzu billah-i minash shaitan-ir-rajeem''. We should thereafter recite ''Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim'' (In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful). The Bismillah is prefixed to each and every Surat of the Qur'an, except the 9th Surat viz, Tauba or Baraat.
We may read aloud or in a kiw tone but we are required to see that we do not disturb some one who is saying his regular prayers (Salah or Namaz) or has just lain down to go to sleep.This is because whenever the Qur'an is read, we must listen to it with full attention and should keep quiet. The Qur'an should be recited ''in slow, measured, rythmic tone''. Every word and every letter must be carefully and rightly pronounced. In 73:20, we are told:....''Read ye therefore of the Qur'an as much as may be easy for you...''. Allah tell us, again and again : ''We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember'' (54 : 17 and 3 other verses). Mere parrot-like recitation will not produce the desire effect, or serve our purpose. We must try to understand the meaning and significance of the Message that our Creator has sent us. If one does not know Arabic, one should read some good translation and commentary. The Glorious Qur'an has been translated into practically all the principal languages of the woeld, both European and Asian, as also in some African languages.
Punctuation Marks
Most printed copies of the Qur'an contain printed instructions regarding the punctuation marks (called Rumuz-i-auqaf-i-Qur'an). Thses must be carefully studied and acted upon. The most important sign is a big circle O. This denotes the end of one ayat and the commencement of another Ayat. One must stop as this. Whereever there is small mim, a stop is absolutely necessary. One should also stop where there is a sign of 'ta' ; and one should also stop where 'Qif' is printed. here there is a sign of 'La' (which means no) inside the text, one must not stop. There are also som eother signs. A sign ''Ain'' indicates the end of the 'Ruku'.
Sajda Tilawat
Where the world ''Sajda'' is printed on the margin or on some world in the text, it means that the person who reads this Ayat-as also any one who hear it- must prostration (Sajda). If, however, the recitation is at a time when sajda is not permissible the reciter should say ''Samai'' na wa ata' na'' and perform the actual prostration later.
Today would have been Abdus Salam's 87th birthday. I was going to lament the way his name has been shunned in Pakistan - all because he was an Ahmadi Muslim. But instead, I want to highlight the efforts of some dogged, stubborn, and insane Pakistani filmmakers, who against all odds, have been pursuing their dream of making a documentary about Abdus Salam. In fact, I would love to see a documentary about the making of this documentary (where is Werner Herzog?). I first mentioned this project here in 2008 and then provided another update in 2010. I know one of the Executive Producers, Zakir Thaver, quite well - and it has been an absolute delight to see the project move along.
So two things: First, please see a seven minute clip of the film below. It will not only give you an idea of Salam's life, but also of the efforts of the filmmakers. The film has been shot on multiple locations in Pakistan (including the village where Salam was born) as well as in Italy (picture right, at the Salam-founded International Centre for Theoretical Physics), England, and the US.
