Ramadan is the month in which Allah Almighty opens His doors of mercy, forgiveness, and blessings upon Muslims. This month is anxiously awaited by all the Muslims as they perform the duty of fasting this month. The month is given great importance by Muslims and Muslims in each part of the world welcome and observes this month with all the reverence, prestige and dedication it deserves.  Allah says:

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

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims would wake up early to eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and they break their fast with a meal referred to as iftar. One important thing about this Holy month is Quran was revealed in Ramadan. The Night of Decree (Laylat al- Qadr) is in this month which is better than a thousand months. It is a very rewarding activity in Ramadan to offer Iftar to those who are fasting.  Allah says:

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ

“Indeed, We revealed it in a Night Blessed. Indeed, We [We] are (ever) warning.” (Surah Ad-Dukhan 44:3)

Muslims pray at night in Mosques these nightly prayers are known as Tarawih. Tarawih is held in mosques after iftar. Muslims used to fast during the day by performing their usual tasks. Different cultures have different traditions during Ramadan. Whether it is a special food they must cook, or eating iftar with the extended family.  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.” (Surah Al-Isra` 17:82 )

The month of Ramadan holds a special place in Islam and among Muslims because of two major reasons:

• Firstly, the book of eternal guidance the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) this month.
• Secondly, the 30days of fasting in this month lead to the glorious and auspicious occasion of Eid ul Fitr for Muslims.

As a Moslem, Reciting Quran is a duty and necessity. Quran which contains many solutions and guidance for human life is not only read textually but it must be read to understand and applied in human life. But, this is often passed. The contents of the Quran concerns human life, such as economic problems, law, education, family, couple, natural sciences, eternity, and many more.  Allah says:

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ

“Those who believed and find satisfaction their hearts in the remembrance (of) Allah. No doubt, in the remembrance of Allah find satisfaction the hearts.” (Surah Ar-Rad 13:28)

Importance of Reciting Quran in Ramadan:

1. It makes times more productive
2. Closer to the Quran and Islam
3. Healing Power of The Quran
4. Get a lot of rewards
5. Build a positive think
6. Keep away from Satan’s temptations
7. A Muslim’s Status is Raised by the Quran
8. Quran as intercessor in the day of judgment
9. Letting one’s heart wander in the garden of the Quran

The duty of reciting the Quran is not stopping at one time. We are commanded by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala to read it every day and every time. We have to make it our guide, too. But reciting the Quran during Ramadan has its virtue. Reciting Quran in Ramadan has virtue and characteristic for a Moslem.  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)

Ramadan allows worshippers to concentrate their minds on devotion to their faith through prayers, expressing gratitude, seeking forgiveness and helping the needy. Fasting is important for Muslims due to many reasons e.g. it brings unity among the ummah because they go to offer Tarawih prayer after iftar at the Mosque together.  Allah says:

قُل لَّئِنِ اجْتَمَعَتِ الْإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَىٰ أَن يَأْتُوا بِمِثْلِ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ لَا يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا

Say, “If gathered the mankind and the jinn to [that] bring the like (of) this Quran, not they (could) bring the like of it, even if we’re some of them to some others assistants.” (Surah Al-Isra’ 17:88)

Ramadan makes Muslims appreciate food, thank Allah for what they have and makes them closer to each other and the people around them. Sawm is a Jihadic struggle because Muslims struggle against hunger during fasting. Fasting in Ramadan also makes Muslims stronger against fighting sin and more charitable to others.  Allah says:

لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍ لَّرَأَيْتَهُ خَاشِعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

“Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect.” (Surah Al-Hashr 59:21)

Unfortunately, the majority of us do not have any relationship with the Qur’an. Since we are in Ramadan, the blessed month of the Qur’an, and the devils have been chained up, now is the opportunity to change this sad state of affairs. It is good to recite the Qur’an, even if you do not understand it, but the ultimate purpose of its revelation was for us to imbibe its teachings and incorporate them into our lives.  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 those of understanding.” (Surah Sad 38:29)

Ramadan is a very different month and Allah makes it special for Moslem. In Ramadan, all of the good deeds will be multiplied by the reward, including many pearls of wisdom that can be taken when we did fasting. However, reading the Quran is not only reading its text, but we have to read and do its meaning for our lives.  Allah says:

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ

“We sent it down on a Blessed Night: We have ever been sending warnings.” (Surah Ad-Dukhan 44:3)

It is important to note that our relationship with the Qur’an in this month should not be limited to just the nightly Tarawih prayers, we must devote ourselves to studying the Qur’an outside of prayer as well. We should pray that Allah (SWT) brings us to this blessed month, to accept our fasts and good deeds and to forgive our mistakes and sins.

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

1. Make your intention clear.  This is always the first step we should take. Make your intentions clear and concise for your benefit and map out your goals–whether it is to recite the entire Qur’an during the month, memorize a surah or data, or read the translation of the Qur’an, make it your intention to set your goal and complete it.
2. Make your goal reasonable.  If you do not know the Arabic alphabet, do not make it your goal to recite the entire Qur’an in Arabic in a single month! Start slow, and start sure.
3. Plan in advance.  If you’re like me, planning is the baseline for your ability to complete anything, even if it’s just getting up in the morning. During Ramadan, there is the pressure to get everything done before your energy runs out or before it’s time for iftar or salah.
4. Make a clear schedule, and stick to it.  Most Qurans are written within 600 pages, give or take a few. If you divide the number of pages across the 30 days of Ramadan, that’s 20 pages a day.
5. Remind yourself of your goal, and reassess often.  Let’s face it, when a goal is set for longer than a few days, we tend to lose motivation. However, this is a goal that is too important to lose. Some ideas to keep yourself motivated is to incorporate your schedule around things you do daily:
6. 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.
7. 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! If you missed a few days or are falling behind, 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.
8. Feel free to tweak your goal or schedule.  Again, you know your limitations better than anyone! Your intention is not a signed and sealed contract–there is always room for adjustments. May Allah make this Ramadan easy for us and for those around the world who are in difficulty! Ameen.

It is best if every Muslim makes an intention to start reciting the Quran or complete the entire Quran within this month, but this intention can be quite challenging for those ‘busy bees’. We can see that the condition of Ramadan is much different compared to other months. People are haste in doing good that they do not get used to doing in the other months. Kindness is a label is specifically meant for Islam and there can be no example of it other than charity in Islam.