5 Steps To Make The Most Of The Quran In Ramadan!

When non-Muslims ask about Ramadan, we often describe it as the month of fasting, which is certainly significant, as it is one of the five pillars of Islam. However, the only direct mention of Ramadan in the Quran emphasizes the Quran itself:

The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.

Let us honor this ayah this year by making a concerted effort to connect with the Quran, rather than simply displaying it on a shelf or passively listening to it while performing daily tasks or during Taraweeh. Here are five steps we can take to achieve this goal:

Step #1: Read!

Develop a daily habit of reading the Quran in Arabic starting now - don't wait until Ramadan arrives! We may be tempted to delay good deeds in order to prepare for them, or we may think that we should wait for the "perfect" time or day. This is a trick of Shaytaan, or even of our own nafs. If we neglect reading the Quran throughout the year, we cannot expect to suddenly read it during Ramadan. Starting to read the Quran on a daily basis is best done now, even if it's just one ayah a day to begin with. We should not wait for Ramadan, as nobody knows if they will live to see it. May Allah SWT protect us all and allow us to witness this blessed month once more in its entirety, ameen.

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Step #2: Understand

As we work on our reading skills, we should also begin to work on understanding the Quran, particularly if Arabic is entirely new to us. Every day, we should read a translation, explanation, and context of revelation for at least one ayah of the Quran. By taking this small but consistent step, we will begin to build a genuine relationship with the Book of Allah SWT, and Allah SWT will open our hearts to its content insha'Allah.

Step #3: Dig Deeper

Attend or actively listen to a Quranic halaqah at least once a week. Take notes and review them the next day to give ourselves time to retain the information and reflect upon it: What do these ayaat or this Quranic story mean to us? How can we apply these lessons and tips to our lives in order to become better servants of Allah SWT? When we take the time to dig deeper into the meaning of Allah SWT's words and how they apply to our lives, we will begin to unlock the sweetness of the Quran and appreciate it even more, insha'Allah. It will become a dear friend whom we look forward to not only meeting regularly but also getting to know better and listening to its great pieces of advice and wisdom.

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Step #4: Live it

The Quran is not something Allah SWT sent to us to simply recite, find a translation for, put back on a shelf, and then go about our lives as if we were reading a good novel. The Quran is a blueprint, a guide, a compass to help us live our lives in the best possible way to please Allah SWT, so that we may enter Paradise insha'Allah. Reading the Quran is an incredible deed that should not be underestimated. Understanding its meaning, context, and stories is even better. Our next step is to put what we have learned into practice in our own lives.

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