Unbelievable Health Benefits of Memorizing the Quran

 

The first benefit is through listening and reciting the Qur’ān: cure from all that is within.

There are so many benefits of the Holy Qur’ān. It is a Book of Light and divine light is energy that heals. There are around 89 verses of the Qur’ān that speak about its purpose, aims, virtues and blessings. Some of these verses highlight healing as a quality of the Qur’ān:

 

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

 

O mankind! Surely, there has come to you a (heart penetrating) counsel from your Master, and a cure for all those (diseases) which are (hidden) in the chests. And it is guidance and mercy for those who believe. (Yūnus, 10:57)

 

From this verse, we learn that mankind, not just believers, are being told that when you have an issue in life that is affecting your heart — turn to the Qur’ān. It’s light will begin to cure it once you let it enter your heart. Allāh doesn’t say a cure for the heart using the word: Quloob, rather, He uses the word: Sudoor (breasts/chests). This is not restrictive but it expands to everything around the heart and all the organs (including the physical and the metaphysical). This is the place that satanic humans and devils seek access to through their constant subtle messages. The Qur’ān is a defense. When we have relief from it, we are told there is guidance and mercy to be taken. That is to say, take the instructions of love and mercy in the Qur’ān and implement them in your lives. Bring the light into yourselves, your homes and your neighborhood. You will realize then what true mercy it is.

 

This verse significantly addresses all people and we will see how all people have seen the reality of this verse come to life. This message also informs us that the Qur’ān is not scary or a Book that is designed to destroy or manipulate. Rather is it something to provide love.

 

The following verse echoes the same message:

 

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

 

And We are sending down in the Qur’ān what is healing and mercy for those who believe […] (al-Isrā’, 17:82)

 

Allāh also conveyed:

 

وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَّقَالُوا لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ ۖ أَأَعْجَمِيٌّ وَعَرَبِيٌّ ۗ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ

 

And if We had revealed this (Book) as a Qur’ān in a non-Arabic language, they would certainly have said: ‘Why have its Verses not been expounded expressly? Is the Book non-Arabic and the Prophet an Arab?’ (So, O Esteemed Beloved, We have revealed the Qur’ān also in your language.) Say: ‘That (Qur’ān) is guidance as well as healing for the believers, but those who do not believe, their ears are heavy with deafness, and that is blindness (as well) in their case, (as if) they are like men called from afar.’ (Fussilat, 41:44)

 

This verse informs us that healing is connected to the language of the Qur’ān. It cures from it’s every letter and sound.

 

There are also many traditions (ahādīth) that highlight the healing and blessings of the Qur’ān. These highlight certain chapters and how they were used. For example, we see the first chapter (al-Fātihah) and through its blessings curing wounds. In particular, there are many that mention the last three chapters (al-Ikhlās, al-Falaq and an-Nās) across various hadith collections. To mention a select few concerning cure and the Qur’ān:

 

عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ لِكُلِّ دَاءٍ دَوَاءٌ فَإِذَا أُصِيبَ دَوَاءُ الدَّاءِ بَرَأَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ

 

Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allāh, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, said, “Every disease has a cure. If a cure is applied to the disease, it is relieved by the permission of Allāh Almighty.”

 

[Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2204 Grade: Ṣaḥīḥ (authentic) according to Muslim]

 

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ دَاءً إِلَّا أَنْزَلَ لَهُ دَوَاءً وفي رواية أخرى قال عَلِمَهُ مَنْ عَلِمَهُ وَجَهِلَهُ مَنْ جَهِلَهُ

 

Abdullāh ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allāh, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Allāh did not send down any disease but that he also sent its cure.” In another narration, the Prophet said, “One who has knowledge of it knows it, and one ignorant of it is ignorant.”

 

[Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 3438 Grade: Ṣaḥīḥ (authentic) according to Al-Albāni]

 

عَنْ أُسَامَةَ بْنِ شَرِيكٍ قَالَ قَالَتْ الْأَعْرَابُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَلَا نَتَدَاوَى قَالَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نَعَمْ يَا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ تَدَاوَوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَضَعْ دَاءً إِلَّا وَضَعَ لَهُ شِفَاءً أَوْ قَالَ دَوَاءً إِلَّا دَاءً وَاحِدًا قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا هُوَ قَالَ الْهَرَمُ

 

Usāmah ibn Sharīk reported: A bedouin said, “O Messenger of Allāh, shall we not seek treatment?” The Prophet said, “Yes, O servants of Allāh, seek treatment. Verily, Allāh did not place a disease but that he also placed its treatment or cure, except for one ailment.” They said, “O Messenger of Allāh, what is it?” The Prophet said, “Old age.”

 

[Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2038 Grade: Ṣaḥīḥ (authentic) according to Al-Tirmidhī]

 

It is documented that there are over 10,000+ diseases in the world and cures found in number seem to be fewer in number. These numbers do not factor in so many natural remedies that Allāh has granted us. There are new diseases that emerge all the time too, some that are extremely rare and others that are a cause for concern. There is incredible work being done to eradicate diseases and to find cures. Allāh has placed responsible people in all fields to find these whether they are believers or not. It makes me ponder when we take this hadīth and apply it against the verses of the Qur’ān above, how many are missing out from guidance in finding further cures. Whilst at the same time, the importance of highly trained professional health practitioners that are firmly rooted in the Qur’ān and Sunnah. The Holy Prophet ﷺ encouraged treatment and likewise these traditions should also encourage believers to part of a legacy that engages in finding these cures.

 

We likewise see other traditions that mention concerning cure from the Qur’ān:

 

عَنْ عَبْدِ اﷲِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رضي اﷲ عنهما قَالَ: فِي الْقُرْآنِ شِفَاءَانِ: الْقُرْآنُ وَالْعَسَلُ؛ القُرآنُ شِفَاءٌ لِمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ، وَالْعَسَلُ شِفَاءٌ مِنْ کُلِّ دَاءٍ. رواه البيهقي وقال: هذا هو الصحيح موقوف.

 

‘Abdullāh Ibn Mas’ud said that he heard the Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) as saying: “There are two cures for you all: Honey and the Qur’ān.” [Hakim, Ibn Abi Shaybah, Tabarani, Bayhaqi]

 

He also said: “There are two cures in the Qur’ān: honey and the Qur’ān. One in the Qur’ān (itself) and one in honey. The Qur’ān is a cure for what is within the chests and honey is a cure from every other disease.” [Hakim, Ibn Abi Shaybah, Tabarani, Bayhaqi]

 

عَنْ وَاثِلَةَ بْنِ الأَسْقَعِ رضي اﷲ عنه: أَنَّ رَجُلاً شَکَی إِلَی رَسُولِ اﷲِ صلی الله عليه وآله وسلم وَجْعَ حَلْقِهِ. قَالَ: عَلَيْکَ بِقِرَاءَةِ الْقُرْآنِ. رواه البيهقي.

 

Wāthilah ibn al-Asqa’, may Allāh be pleased with him, said: A man complained of throat pain to the Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) and he said to him: ‘Recite the Qur’ān upon yourself’. [Bayhaqi]

 

عَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ مَصْرَفٍ قَالَ: کَانَ يُقَالُ: إِنَّ الْمَرِيْضَ إِذَا قُرِئَ عِنْدَهُ الْقُرْآنُ وَجَدَ لَهُ خِفَّةً، فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَی خَيْثَمَةَ وَهُوَ مَرِيْضٌ، فَقُلْتُ: إِنِّي أَرَاکَ الْيَومَ صَالِحًا. قَالَ: إِنَّهُ قُرِئَ عِنْدِي الْقُرْآنُ. رواه البيهقي.

 

Talha ibn Masrif said: It is said that indeed when the Qur’ān is recited near a patient, he/she finds recovery. I visited Khaythamah when he was ill and I said: ‘I see that you are absolutely well today!’. He said: ‘The Qur’an has been recited on me (i.e. it is through its blessings).’ [Bayhaqi]

 

عَنْ عَلِيٍّ رضي اﷲ عنه قَالَ: خَمْسٌ يَذْهَبْنَ بِالنِّسْيَانِ وَيَزِدْنَ فِي الْحِفْظَ وَيُذْهِبْنَ الْبَلْغَمَ: السِّوَاکُ، وَالصِّيَامُ، وَقِراَءَةُ الْقُرْآنِ، وَالْعَسَلُ، وَاللِّبَانُ. رواه الديلمي

 

‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Five things remove forgetfulness and increase the memory and remove phlegm: (1) the tooth stick (miswak), (2) fasting, (3) the recitation of the Qur’an, (4) honey and (5) frankincense.” [Bayhaqi, Daylami and others]

 

It’s a spiritual medical technology promoting healing.

There is a well-documented case coming from Pakistan where a hospital began experimenting with Surah al-Rahmān in aiding patients (Muslims and non-Muslims alike). They found remarkable results even curing cancer patients. In this interview (Urdu speakers) the doctor explains the process that anyone can adopt. Simply listen to the specific recording of the Surah by Qāri’ ‘Abdul Bāsit ‘Abd al-Samad 3 times a day for 7 days. There are other videos too that document stories and the process.

 

There are also research works that explore how the sound of the Qur’ān meets a certain frequency that is deemed to be in balance with nature. There is also a practice of reciting six verses of healing from the Qur’ān — those that mention cure.

 

In 2018 research was done on the impact of the Qur’ān in “Treatment of Psychological Disorder and Spiritual Illness”. The experiments were conducted on 121 patients from both genders. The procedures that were followed were different sessions with the patients, who were given some verses from the Holy Qur’ān to listen within a specific period of time. After that, each patient was given a remedy program. This study aimed to measure the effectiveness and responsiveness of patients to receive treatment through Qur’ān. The results of the effectiveness factored in after ability and willingness and gave a result of 92.6% for those who support the contention that the Qur’ān has a significant healing influence. Also, some of the patients who regularly attended Qur’ānic therapy sessions had been successfully cured, 81.8% of the sample believe that Qur’ānic therapy sessions support their health needs. This study has empirically proved that the sound of the Holy Qur’ān is an effective treatment for those who suffer from spiritual and psychological issues.

 

Dr. C. Callender, Chair of the Surgery Department at Howard University, Washington D.C. rightly said: “The miracles of spiritual healing should be accepted as the newest medical technology.”

 

 

A japanese scientist researched the effects on water of the Qur’ān and found how water and it’s properties change. There was also a study on the “Effect of Exposure to Quran Recitation on Cell Viability, Cell Migration, and BCL2L12 Gene Expression of Human Prostate Adenocarcinoma Cell Line in Culture”. Results of this investigation strongly suggested that Qur’ān recitation could alter cell proliferation and migration in human PC-3 cells. Moreover, it was shown that BCL2L12 was down-regulated in PC-3 prostate adenocarcinoma cell lines that were exposed to Qur’ān recitation. Our results revealed that Qur’ān recitation can also induce apoptosis in these tumor cells through the down-regulation of BCL2L12 expression. Interestingly, they also used the reciter Qāri’ ‘Abdul Bāsit ‘Abd al-Samad (Surah al-Fātihah).

 

If recitation and listening can change molecules, properties of water, treat those suffering from spiritual and psychological issues, cure cancer and other illnesses, what can the Qur’ān do for those who seek it and memorise it? The Qur’ān heals emotional wounds, concerns, grief, accumulations of the past. You will be rejuvenated all again. You are reciting it all the time. You may ask, that’s me but I don’t feel what is being described. This will have many reasons but we saw in the research in Malaysia found a deciding factor to getting better was where patients had a firm belief (without a single doubt). Go back to your foundations and make them solid. Always renew intent and your faith.

 

So we see the first benefit is through recitation. It brings about the reduction of forgetfulness, cure, blessing, removal of sin, guidance, and mercy. You should, therefore, remember and include these things as an intention when memorising the Qur’ān. What an amazing gift we have been given!

 

Conclusion

We see the many benefits to health through memorisation and especially the memorisation of the Qur’ān. Whilst we can point at deficiencies in studies, we cannot point out any with the Qur’ān. It is a healing.

 

If any of you have any stories to share about your experiences with healing through memorisation of the Qur’ān specifically. I would love to hear from you. Email me or get in touch through social media.

 

May Allāh grant us health and wellbeing. Strength in the physical, mental and spiritual and open our chests for healing, guidance and mercy.

 

Ameen.