The Quran is the greatest miracle that Allah Almighty bestowed upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This Book is the word of the Divine, and it is in it that there is guidance about every matter of life. Therefore, it is quite natural that Muslims share a special kind of affiliation with the Quran, which is primarily concerned with getting a reward and seeking guidance. Bringing the Quran to your daily life is the best you can do in the couple of hours you are in this world. Allah says:
كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ
“(This is) a Book We have revealed it to you, blessed, that they may ponder (over) its Verses and may be reminded of those of understanding.” (Surah Sad 38:29)
It is recommended for every believing man and woman to recite the Book of Allah, the Noble Quran, often, with due contemplation and understanding. This may be done by using a copy of the Quran or from one’s memory. The key to really benefiting from the Quran is to check your heart first before you even touch Allah’s book. Allah – the Highest – Says (what means): Allah says:
إِن نَّشَأْ نُنَزِّلْ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ آيَةً فَظَلَّتْ أَعْنَاقُهُمْ لَهَا خَاضِعِينَ
“If We will, We can send down to them from the sky a Sign so would bend their necks to it (in) humility.” (Surah Ash-Shu’ara)
Ask yourself, honestly, why you are reading it. Is it just get some information and let it drift away from you later? 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. Allah says:
إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُمْ رَاكِعُونَ
“Only your ally (is) Allah and His Messenger, and those who believe, and those who establish the prayer and give zakah and they (are) those who bow down.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:55)
Certain basic states and attitudes of heart and mind are necessary prerequisites to any fruitful relationship with the Qur’an. Develop them as much as you can. Make them part of your consciousness, keep them ever-alive and active. Integrate them into your actions. Without the help of this inner resource, you will not receive your full measure of the Qur’an’s blessings. Regarding those who neglect the Glorious Quran by not reading or not understanding it, Allah Almighty Says (what means): Allah says:
وَقَالَ الرَّسُولُ يَا رَبِّ إِنَّ قَوْمِي اتَّخَذُوا هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ مَهْجُورًا
“And said the Messenger, “O my Lord! Indeed, my people took the Quran (as) a forsaken thing.” (Surah Al-Furqan: 25: 30)
Five minutes of reading the Quran in Arabic is good, but you need to understand what you are reading. If you are not Arabic or you don’t understand the Arabic language, then make sure you have a good translation of the Quran in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you have read that day.
How to Develop a More Meaningful Relationship With the Quran:
- The Quran is a miracle in terms of its words and meaning
- The Quran will intercede for us on the Day of Judgment
- The Quran teaches forgive those who did wrong to you
- The Quran has shown mankind the path of repentance
- The Quran acts as a source of knowledge to Muslims
- The Quran acts as the first source of Islamic Shariah
- The Quran is used in taking oaths and swearing
- The Quran is a source of guidance for humanity
- The Quran is a piece of knowledge and lessons
- The Quran is used/recited in the daily prayers
- The Quran is a book of spiritual healing
- The Quran’s fulfilment of religious duty
- The Quran separates right from wrong
- The Quran will lead to Paradise
- Keep a Qur’an handy always
- Participation of the Inner Self
- Bringing gratitude and praise
- Develop The Relation Gradually
- Ponder upon the words of Allah
- Don’t let Shaytan undermine you
- Make a note and put it into practice
- Take time to understand the Qur’an
- Treat every month as if it’s Ramadan
- Do not just read, you have to listen to
- Start by reading for only five minutes every day
- Make sure that you understand what you have read
Allah Almighty informs us about His Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad Sallallahu `Alayhi wa Sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) that he said: “My Lord my people have abandoned – acting or listening – to the Quran” and that is because the idol-worshippers did not pay attention or listen to the Quran, as Allah Says (what means): Allah says:
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَا تَسْمَعُوا لِهَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ وَالْغَوْا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَغْلِبُونَ
“And said those who disbelieve, “(Do) not listen to this Quran, and make noise therein, so that you may overcome.” (Surah Fussilat 41:26)
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? Allah says:
لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“(There is) no compulsion in the religion. Surely has become distinct the right (path) from the wrong. Then whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah, surely he grasped the handhold – [the] firm, (which) not (will) break [for it]. And Allah (is) All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256)
The Qur’an is full of so much barakah that even just Surah Al Ikhlas has a reward equivalent to a third of the entire Qur’an. So what’s stopping you from spending just a few minutes with His book? Whatever the case may be, setting yourself realistic and measurable goals will help keep you focused to achieve it insha’Allah. Allah says:
ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
“That (is) the book no doubt in it, a Guidance for the God-conscious.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:2)
Allah has given us innumerable rewards for reading His book, but with any habit in life, rewards make them easier to keep. Think of bad habits, for example. The reason they’re so addictive is that they have a short-term, immediate reward. It’s what keeps us drawn to them. However, good habits can be as addictive as bad habits. Allah says:
مَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقَىٰ
“Not We (have) sent down to you the Quran that you be distressed.” Surah Taha 20:2)
It may sound like an obvious thing to do, but one of the most effective ways to strengthen your relationship with the Qur’an is to be consistent in your reading and recitation. Not once or twice a week, but spending a few minutes a day reading the Qur’an. This will help you make a habit of consistently reading the Qur’an, and before you know it, you have become so familiar with the words of Allah (SWT). A good tip is also to read the surahs that you may not normally read during salah. Allah says:
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا فِيهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيرًا
“Then (do) not they ponder (on) the Quran? And if it had (been) from other than Allah, surely they (would have) found in it much contradiction.” (Surah An-Nisa` 4:82)
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. Remember that when you read the Quran, you are interacting with Allah. He is talking to you, so pay attention. Make sure you have a good translation of the Quran in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you’ve read that day. Allah says:
لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا
“Certainly, is for you in (the) Messenger (of) Allah an excellent example for (one) who has hope (in) Allah and the Day the Last, and remembers Allah much.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21)
We should not miss out on obtaining this guidance because we do not understand the language. Make it a goal to learn Arabic; in the meantime, utilise the translated works available to understand, absorb and implement the message of the Qur’an in your daily life. Come to the Qur’an with sincere intentions, and Allah will guide you in the best way. No doubt about that. He will put the people in your life that you need to give you the answers you’re looking for. Allah says:
وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
“And when the Quran is recited, then listen to it and pay attention so that you may receive mercy.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:204)
The Quran has a direct effect on the heart of a person, whether he or she understands it or not. Ask Allah, the Most Exalted, 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. A Muslim can utilise it to develop a healthy and strong relationship with the Quran so that he or she reads and understands the Book of Allah in the way it deserves and makes it a part of life. Allah says:
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا
“Then do not they ponder (over) the Quran or upon (their) hearts (are) locks?” (Surah Muhammad 47:24)
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.
