It is recommended for every believing man and woman to recite the Book of Allah, the Noble Qur’an, often, with due contemplation and understanding. This may be done by using a copy of the Qur’an or from one’s memory. Allah - the Most High – Says (what means): “[This is] a blessed Book (the Qur’an) which We have revealed to you, (O Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.” [Qur’an 38:29]
Are you one of those people who rarely touch the Qur’an? Or do you read it daily, but don’t find it is having the impact on you that it should? Whatever the case may be, these are some simple tips that can help you connect with the Qur’an.
* Before you touch it, check your heart
The key to really benefiting from the Qur’an is to check your heart first, before you even touch Allah’s book. Ask yourself, honestly, why you are reading it. Is it to just get some information and to let it drift away from you later? Remember that the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was described by his noble wife, ‘Aa’ishah as a “walking Qur’an”: in other words, he didn’t just read and recite the Qur’an, he lived it.
* Before you touch it, do your Wudhoo’ (ablution)
Doing your Wudhoo’ is good physical and mental preparation to remind you that you are not reading just another book. You are about to interact with Allah, the Most Exalted, so being clean should be a priority when communicating with Him.
* Start with reading only five minutes everyday
Too often, we think that we should read the Noble Qur’an for at least one whole hour. If you are not in the habit of reading regularly, this is too much. Start off with just five minutes daily. If you took care of step one, Insha Allah (Allah willing), you will notice that those five minutes will become 10, then half an hour, then an hour, and maybe even more!
* Make sure that you understand what you have read
Five minutes of reading the Qur’an in Arabic is good, but you need to understand what you are reading. If you are not an Arab, or you don’t understand the Arabic language, then make sure you have a good translation of the Qur’an in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you have read that day.
Regarding those who neglect the Glorious Qur’an by not reading or not understanding it, Allah Almighty Says (what means):”And the Messenger has said, “O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Qur’an as [a thing] abandoned.” [Qur’an: 25: 30]
Allah Almighty informs us about His Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, that he said: “My Lord my people have abandoned - acting or listening - to the Qur’an” and that is because the idol-worshippers did not pay attention nor listen to the Qur’an, as Allah Says (what means): “And those who disbelieve say, “Do not listen to this Quran and speak noisily during [the recitation of] it that perhaps you will overcome.” [Qur’an 41:26]
* Remember that the Noble Qur’an is far more interactive than a CD
In an age of “interactive” CD-ROMs and computer programs, a number of people think books are passive and boring. But the Qur’an is not like that. Remember that when you read the Glorious Qur’an, you are interacting with Almighty Allah. The Almighty is talking to you, so pay attention.
* Do not just read, you have to listen too
There are now many audio cassettes and CDs of the Qur’an, a number of them with translations as well. So put on your Walkman or your car’s CD or stereo as you drive to and from work. Use this in addition to your daily Qur’an reading, not as a replacement for it.
* Make Du’aa’ (supplication).
Ask Allah, the Most Exalted, to guide you when you read the Qur’an. Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of Allah, interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Du’aa’ to Allah for help and guidance will be your best tool for doing this.
When you are making Du’aa’, you have a direct connection with Allah Almighty. So when you are saying your Du’aa’, you shouldn’t be distracted, but instead you should be fully concentrated. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Make Du’aa’ and be assured of it being answered, and know that Allah, the Exalted, does not answer a Du’aa’ from a careless heart which is not concentrating.” [At-Tirmithi]
