by Mujahedulla Khan

In the name of Allah, the most beneficent and most merciful,

All praises, thanks, respect, and glory be to Allah (swt), the One and Only, Further, Salath wa Salam be upon our beloved prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Ramadan is a select month in the eyes of Allah (swt). It is full of blessings and barakah. This month has a special significance with Quran as Allah (swt) says: شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِىْۤ اُنْزِلَ فِيْهِ الْقُرْاٰنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنٰتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدٰى وَالْفُرْقَان

Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind with clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). [Quran 2:185]

Allah (sw). has sent down His sacred book, Quran Majeed from Loh-e-Mahfooz to the first heaven (world sky) in the month of Ramadan in Lailat Al Qadr (the Night of Power, which is better than a thousand months) and from there it has been sent down to earth on Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in frequent intervals.  The first of its revelation with the wording الَّذِىْ خَلَق اِقْرَاْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ —Read! In the name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists).

That’s why you see that Quran is a book most repeatedly read day and night, particularly during the month of Ramadan in night prayers like Taraweeh, Qiyam Al-lail and Nawafil۔

Why Read Quran?

Why is Allah (swt) asking our beloved prophet, and through him to us also, to read Quran? And how many times should we read it?

The literary meaning of the word “Quran” is, “that which is read repeatedly, again and again.” Allah did not ask us to read it just once or twice, in Ramadan only, closing it by kissing with deep feeling and then keeping it on top of the bookshelf covered in a beautiful linen cloth beside bottles of perfume.

This is not the way to do it. The Quran is our daily need. This book is sent for reading time and again throughout life. Just as oxygen is required for our biological life, so Quran is required for our spiritual life.

Why read it all the time? Because this is a book of continuous guidance for mankind, with clear signs to differentiate between right and wrong. Thus we have to seek guidance from Allah (swt) and choose the right path in the light of Quran. This is not simply a book but actually a complete code of conduct for life, and there is no doubt in it. There is a total solution to our problems in the Quran from cradle to grave—  من المهد الى اللحد

How to read Quran?

First of all we should know the correct recitation according to tajweed rules and know the meaning of the words we are reciting, with a strong desire to believe in it as  required for tilawat.

اَلَّذِيْنَ اٰتَيْنٰهُمُ الْكِتٰبَ يَتْلُوْنَهٗ حَقَّ تِلَاوَتِهٖ٪ط اُولٰٓئِكَ يُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِهٖ٪ط وَمَنْ يَّكْفُرْ بِهٖ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْخٰسِرُوْنَ

Those to whom We have given the Book recite it with its true recital. They [are the ones who] believe in it. And whoever disbelieves in it— it is they who are the losers. [Quran 2:121]

It is very unfortunate that 90% of non-Arab readers do not understand the meaning of verses. They simply utter the words in Arabic, so called “parrot reading,” without understanding it.  No doubt this parrot reading will also get them some reward points but the actual purpose of tilawat is to understand it, to ponder over its verses, and to take lesson and inspiration from it. Our aim should be how best we can implement the Quran in daily life.

Solution

To make things easy and simple for you, Understand Quran Academy, Hyderabad, have beautifully designed “Read Al-Qur’an” (Tajweed Book) and composed two books,  Short Course-1 and Short Course-2: “Understand Qur’an and Salah, the Easy Way,” for adults.   Understand Quran series, School Curriculum Books from Nursery to Higher Secondary is also especially designed for school children.

The above books and course material are also available here at the UQA website: www.understandquran.co.in Recently, UQA launched Scratch Cards for easy access to the website anytime, anywhere, and according to your convenience, at a nominal fee of Rs.100/- and Rs.200/- (for 45 and 100 days’ access respectively).

Most of us have grown up with many a Ramadan that brought but no significant change in our lives. Now the sacred month is here, so let’s make a strong commitment to ourselves to welcome this Ramadan by understanding Quran.

Since, Allah (swt) has selected Ramadan month to reveal His glorious book we may take this Ramadan as a high time for understanding Quran in order to experience a revolutionary change in our daily lives.

Hopefully this helps all of us. I pray we all benefit.

۔.   وَمَا تَوْفِيْقِي إلّا بِاللهِ

Mujahedulla Khan