Quran is the book of guidance for the whole of mankind. It was revealed on our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who is the last prophet of Allah. Quran is the divine book towards which Muslims turn when there is any problem because it has the solution to every problem and it is guidance for every aspect of life. We should aim to read the Quran as much as possible this month. Allah says:

كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ

“It is the Book that We have sent down to you blessed, so that they may contemplate its verses and so that people of understanding may take heed.” (Surah Sad 38:29)

Reciting the Quran became a way to escape the heat and thirst caused by the climate, as well as remove themselves from temptations of backbiting, gossiping, and wasting time.  It’s a time of reflection and personal development; many of us make sure we take plenty of time out of our schedules to focus on studying the Quran. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

“O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for people before you so that you attain Taqwa.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)

It is also a month to remember the biggest blessing and source of guidance mankind was ever given, the Quran. Therefore, this month is not only a test of obedience and self-control but a celebration of the Quran being sent down to us. The best way to celebrate that mercy is by reciting it, especially during Ramadan.

Here are some rewards, benefits and virtues of the Quran and its recitation:

1. Quran, guide of our daily life problems and all kind of matters 
2. Quran encloses life-transforming instructions and guidelines
3. Quran affects the heart and purifies from all the impurities
4. Quran is the whole of not only meaning but also words
5. Quran informed about humans and described our Lord
6. Quran is the last scripture revealed by Almighty Allah
7. Quran told us about His attributes, names, and deeds
8. Quran teaches forgive those who did wrong to you
9. Quran was revealed in the month of Ramadhan
10. Quran recitation can be made attractive
11. Quran recitation will lead to paradise
12. Quran focuses divine light on every object 
13. Quran is a piece of knowledge and lessons
14. Quran contains all creed, deeds, and ethics
15. Quran has a specific characteristic, superiority
16. Quran is the book of guidance for a Muslim life
17. Quran is the most widely read book in the world
18. Quran subject matter is vast and comprehensive
19. Quran separating thereby the right from the wrong
20. Quran is a miracle in terms of its words and meaning
21. Quranic context, knowledge, carries a great significance
22. Quran was revealed into the heart of the Prophet (PBUH)
23. Quran informs man of his responsibilities toward himself

Many aim to finish the Quran once in the month of Ramadhan, reaping the rewards of recitation. The Quran is an important source of barakah in our lives; to succeed in the Dunya and akhira, we need the blessings of Allah. It is a month where forgiveness is free, as it always is, but rewards for doing good deeds are multiplied by the Mercy of God. Allah says:

أَيَّامًا مَّعْدُودَاتٍ فَمَن كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ فَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُ وَأَن تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

“(Fasting for) days numbered. So whoever is among you sick or on a journey, then a prescribed number of days other. And on those who can afford it, a ransom (of) feeding a poor. And whoever volunteers well then it (is) better for him. And to fast (is) better for you, if you know.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:184)

Ramadan is undeniably the holiest month of the year for Muslims. It is a month where we abstain from all food, water, and temptations from sunrise to sunset to practice our obedience to God. It is a month where Shaytan (Satan) is chained down and unable to influence our choices–it is a month where we are tested to make our choices based completely on our self-control and morals.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

• “and say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” (Quran 20: 114)
• “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.” (Quran 15: 9)
• “Have We not made the earth as a wide expanse; And the mountains as pegs?” (Quran 78: 6-7)
• “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion.” (Quran 2:185)
• “And, We have certainly presented for the people in this Quran from every [kind of] example – that they might remember.” (Quran, 39: 27)
• “This is the Book (the Qur’an), whereof there is no doubt, guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).” (Quran, 2:2)

Here are some steps to begin a consistent schedule of recitation:

• Make your intention clear:  Make your intentions clear and concise for your benefit and map out your goals–whether it is to recite the entire Quran during the month. The Quran makes our intention to set the goal and complete it.
• Make your goal reasonable: Start slow, and start sure, you know your limitations better than anyone in this world; setting a difficult goal is just going to accelerate hardship, and possibly even cause you to give up.
• Plan in advance.  Planning is the baseline for your ability to complete anything, even if it’s just getting up in the morning. Make things easier to have an idea of what you need to do and when well in advance.
• Make a clear schedule, and stick to it.  Once you have your goal, make it easier for yourself by breaking it down even further throughout the day for ease.
• Remind yourself of your goal, and reassess often.  Let’s face it, working out, going to work, grabbing your keys- put up sticky note reminders, carry a mini-Quran, etc. and keep yourself exposed to your goal.
• Find a buddy with the same or a similar goal.  There is power in numbers for sure, but there is also power in feeling obligated to share your progress with someone.
• Make sincere dua’a.  If you slip a little, don’t give up! If you find your goal is too difficult, don’t give up! Take a deep breath, and know that Allah SWT is aware of what’s in your heart and He knows how much you try. Allah says:

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

“Say: If you should love Allah, then follow me. Allah will love you and forgive you your sins, for Allah is forgiving and merciful.” (Surah Ali Imran 3:31)

Ramadan is a blessed month yearly. We can indulge more in reciting Quran to receive immense rewards and get closer to Allah. During the month of Ramadan, Satan finds it more difficult to mislead the Muslims. It becomes easier in this month for Muslims to perform good deeds and to ignore evil suggestions and bad thoughts. Allah says:

وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَا يَزِيدُ الظَّالِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًا

“And We reveal from the Quran that it (is) healing and a mercy for the believers, but not it increases the wrongdoers except (in) loss.” (Al-Isra’ 17:82)

Finally, we should seek ‘Laylat al-Qadr’, the night of power and decree: “Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.” Good deeds performed on that single night are equal to those performed over a thousand months. Allah says:

لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ

“The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months.” (Surah Al-Qadr 97:3)

Therefore, Ramadan is the month in which Muslims celebrate the glorious Qurʾān. They reconnect and rekindle their relationship with God by fasting, praying, and reciting the words He revealed to mankind. These words bring softness, comfort, and light to the heart no matter how dark it may have been throughout the year. Allah says:

فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَتَمَاسَّا فَمَن لَّمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَإِطْعَامُ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِينًا ذَٰلِكَ لِتُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ وَلِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

“Then whoever (does) not find, then fasting (for) two months consecutively before [that] they both touch each other. But (he) who not is able then (the) feeding (of) sixty needy one(s). That – so that you may believe in Allah and His Messenger, and these (are the) limits (of) Allah, and for the disbelievers (is) a punishment painful.” (Surah Al-Mujadilah 58:4)

So let us recite as much of the Quran as we can during Ramadan and the rest of our lives until our last breath. Let us get going and grab these immense rewards and the pleasure of Allah. May we take full advantage of this blessed month and may this be a month where we all draw closer to Allah. Ameen.