Connecting with the Qur'aan

Ukth Na'eemah

Are you one of those people who rarely touch the Qur'aan? Or do you read 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 Book of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى

1. Before you touch it, check your heart. The key to really benefiting from the Qur'aan is to check your heart first, before you even touch Allaah's Book view your intention and approach. 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 (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was described by his wife as a "walking Qur'aan": in other words, he didn't just read and recite the Qur'aan, he lived it.

2. Do your Wudhu (ablution). Doing your Wudhu is good physical and mental preparation to remind you that you're not reading just another book. You are about to interact with Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى), so being clean should be a priority when communicating with Him.

3. Start by reading at least five minutes everyday. Too often, we think we should read Qur'aan for at least one whole hour. If you aren't in the habit of reading regularly, this may be too much for you so start little by little. Start off with just five minutes daily. If you took care of step one, Insha'Allaah (God willing), you will notice that those five minutes will become ten, then half an hour, then an hour, and maybe even more.

4. Make sure you understand what you've read. Five minutes of reading the Qur'aan in Arabic is good, but if Arabic is not your first language or you do not understand Arabic (which we should strive to learn insha'Allaah) you need to understand what you're reading. Make sure you have a good translation of the Qur'aan in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you've read that day.

5. Remember, the Qur'aan is more interactive than a CD. In an age of "interactive" CD-Roms, computer programs, and flash websites a number of people think books are passive and boring. But the Qur'aan is not like that. Remember that when you read the Qur'aan, you are interacting with Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى). He is communicating to you, so pay attention.

6. Don't just read; listen too. There are now many audio cassettes and CDs of the Qur'aan, a number of them with translations as well. This is great to put on your walkman/ipod/ MP3 or your car's CD or stereo as you drive to and from work. Use this in addition to your daily Qur'aan reading, not as a replacement for it.

7. Apply the Qur'aan in your life. Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى) gives us all guidelines and teaches valuable morals and lessons in his Book- do not just read for the sake of reading and then close the Qur'aan and walk away leaving it at that but implement his orders in your daily interaction practically. The Qur'aan is not like any other book- it should shape you and society until it is the very highest of civilisations in justice and morality as was at the time of our Sahabah (ra).

8. Make Du'a (supplication). Ask Allaah to guide you when you read the Qur'aan. Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى), interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Dua to Allaah for help and guidance will be your best tool for doing this.

And amongst the many beautiful words Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى) says in the Qur'aan:
"And recite the Qur'aan with Tarteel in slow, rhythmic tones."
(Surah Al Muzzammil 73:4)