The relationship with Allah is crucial for all of us to live peaceful lives. Allah has sent the Quran through our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Quran is a guidance for all Muslims. Even reciting the Quran, even just one line, can earn you a greater amount of reward. Recently, we became aware of the Facts about the Quran, which are important in making the relationship stronger. The Quran informs us that a hard day of reckoning on which everybody will be questioned, and all of our deeds, whether big or small, good or bad, will be revealed. Allah says:
بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالزُّبُرِ وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الذِّكْرَ لِتُبَيِّنَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا نُزِّلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
“With the clear proofs and the Books. And We sent down to you the Remembrance, that you may make clear to mankind, what has been sent down to them and that they may reflect.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:44)
The key to really benefiting from the Quran is to check your heart first before you even touch Allah’s book. Ask yourself, honestly, why you are reading it. Is it just to get some information and let it drift away from you later? Remember that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was described by his wife as a “walking Quran”: in other words, he didn’t just read and recite the Quran, he lived it. Allah says:
وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْهِم مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَجِئْنَا بِكَ شَهِيدًا عَلَىٰ هَٰؤُلَاءِ وَنَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ تِبْيَانًا لِّكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ
“And the Day We will resurrect among every nation a witness over them from themselves. And we will bring you (as) a witness over these. And We sent down to you the Book (as) a clarification of everything and a guidance and mercy and glad tidings for those who submit/Muslims.” (Surah An-Nahl 16:89)
“Alhamdullilah”.We should always thank Allah for whatever he has given us. Most of the people thank Allah when they earn something monetary, while thanking Allah is a must, that he has given you Eyes to see, a Body to feel and Legs to walk. Allah tests his people in every possible way. He tests them by taking money or giving money, he tests them by giving health and taking health, or Allah has his ways of testing his devotees. And the people who will pass his tests will, InshaAllah, earn the greater reward. Allah says:
مَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقَىٰ
“Not We (have) sent down to you the Quran that you be distressed.” (Surah Ta-Ha 20:2 )
Adjust your mindset to see the Qur’an as something that you need, that will undoubtedly bring you peace and contentment. The truth is, any day could be our last, and it’s what we invest in the next life that is worth more than anything this life can give. Set a target for yourself. Do you want to complete the entire Qur’an or focus on particular surahs? Is there a portion you want to successfully memorise? Whatever the case may be, setting yourself realistic and measurable goals will help keep you focused on achieving them insha’Allah. Allah says:
وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ
“And not he speaks from the desire.” (Surah An-Najm 53:3)
With anything in life, the moment you stop practising, you become weaker at it. The same goes for the Qur’an. Without taking regular time to practice, what you’ve learned will leave you. When we take a shower, it doesn’t mean we never have to take a shower again. When we eat lunch, it doesn’t mean we won’t become hungry again. Allah says:
لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍ لَّرَأَيْتَهُ خَاشِعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
“If We (had) sent down this Quran on a mountain, surely you (would) have seen I humbled, breaking asunder from (the) fear (of) Allah. And these are the examples, we present them to the people so that they may give thought.” (Al-Hashr 59:21)
One of the best ways to retain your Qur’an is by reciting it in your salah. Salah can sometimes feel like a repetitive ritual if we only stick to the same short surahs at the end of the Qur’an. So when you read the Qur’an, make an intention to recite what you’ve learned in your salah. It’s an easy and effective way to retain the Qur’an and make your salah more meaningful.
Here are some ways to develop a relationship with the Quran:
- The Quran is translated as the book of the universe
- The Quran is accomplished by dint of knowledge
- The Quran is a piece of knowledge and lessons
- The Quran is a material and spiritual guide
- The Quran contains all kinds of principles
- The Quran is a pearl of the book wisdom
- The Quran is the word of Allah directly
- The Quran is ‘Huda’, the guiding light
- The Quran implement what you learn
- The Quran teaches repentance
- The Quran is the last holy book
- The Quran give you a reward
- Don’t let Shaytan undermine you
- Thank Allah for what he gave you
- Take time to understand the Quran
- The Quran is beautiful in your salah
- Forgive those who did wrong to you
- The Quran contains all creed, deeds, and ethics
As well as reciting the Qur’an, make time to read the translation and tafsir. This could be by reading them on your own, or by attending classes at a local mosque or institute. This is really an important part of developing an understanding of the Qur’an; many of us fall out of the habit of reading it because we fail to understand what it is that we are reading. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
“O you who believe[d]! Is prescribed for you [the] fasting as was prescribed to those from before you, so that you may (become) righteous.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)
We should not miss out on obtaining this guidance because we do not understand the language. Make it a goal to learn Arabic; however, in the meantime, utilise the translated works available to understand, absorb and implement the message of the Qur’an in your daily life. There is so much available out there already, so take advantage now. Allah says:
“The character of the Messenger of Allah ṣallallāhu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) was the Qur’an.” (Abu Dawud)
“Your Sin is not bigger than Allah’s Mercy”.No matter how big your sin is, if you repeat it with your heart and with a will that you will not repeat this mistake ever again, then Allah will forgive you in no time. Before forgiving them, you have to forgive yourself. Ill feelings can make your life bitter, and taking revenge will never give you anything positive in your life. Instead of opting for negative things to make your life bitter, it is better to forgive the people and to seek Allah’s forgiveness. In a post, we talked about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Forgave; we should learn forgiveness from him. Allah says:
مَّن يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ وَمَن تَوَلَّىٰ فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا
“(He) who obeys the Messenger then surely he obeyed Allah, and whoever turns away – then not We (have) sent you over them (as) a guardian.” (Surah An-Nisaa’ 4:80)
The Qur’an is one of the few things that never decreases or takes away from your time. It has so much power to bring you contentment and ease in every part of your life if you welcome it. So let’s make a goal from now to build and strengthen our relationship with His book.
“Is any one of you incapable of reciting a third of the Qur’an in a night? They (the Companions) asked: How could one recite a third of the Qur’an (in a night)? Upon this, he (the Holy Prophet) said: “‘Say: He is Allah, One’ (Qur’an xxii) is equivalent to a third of the Qur’an.” (Muslim)
We can set as many goals as we like, but without being prepared or planning the journey to that destination, it can be extremely difficult. Every week, work out when you will have the time to read the Qur’an and the associated activities that you are focusing on. Ask Allah to guide you when you read the Quran. You aim to sincerely, for the love of Allah, interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Dua to Allah for help and guidance will be your best tool for doing this. Just need follow these tips, we can improve the relationship with the Quran.
