The Weight of the Quran
It is reported that Ibn ʿUmar – Allāh be pleased with him – said, “We were the beginning [the heads] of this Ummah, and perhaps a man from the best of the Companions of Allāh’s Messenger – Allāh’s peace and blessings be upon him – and the most righteous amongst them could maintain only one chapter of the Qur`ān or thereabouts. For the Qur`ān was weighty upon them, and they were given knowledge of it or action based on it. But the last of this Ummah will find the Qur`ān light [and easy] – the child and the non-Arab will recite it, without possessing any knowledge about it.”
Al-Harawī, Dhamm Al-Kalām wa Ahlihī Vol. 5 p144.
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Related sayings.
One of the reported instructions ʿUmar wrote to Abū Mūsā Al-Ash’arī and those under his governance during the former’s Caliphate was, “Seek knowledge and understanding of (fiqh) the Sunnah and seek knowledge and understanding of Arabic.” Ibn Abī Shaybah, Al-Muṣannaf Vol.6 p126. It is reported that he said, “Learn Arabic, for it strengthens the intelligence […]
As per general repect to elders, the Salaf would let someone who is older enter first, contrary to common practice today.