Ramadan is the month in which the Jibreel (as) started bringing the Qur’an in the form of revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (sws). It’s logical then that we would use this time to connect (or reconnect) with the Qur’an.
It’s recommended to read the Qur’an once through each Ramadan. Each year I have aimed to do so, and normally didn’t finish within Ramadan, but did finish at least before the following Ramadan (isn’t it weird how as the days pass, this goal gets forgotten about easier? It’s better to do it right away!). This year, as I said in my Ramadan 2013/1434 Goals, I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect I will be able to read even a sizable portion of the Qur’an. How can I still connect myself to it if I can’t read it through?
I’ve been really enjoying tafseer lectures by Nouman Ali Khan. There aren’t many shayukh that I really enjoy listening to, so I’m glad the few that draw my attention with the way they speak have volumes of lectures available. Nouman Ali Khan has numerous podcasts available for free via the iTunes store here. I also found this 28 CD series on Al Fatihah extremely beneficial and it brought new light to my recitation, mashaAllah!
Speaking of which, just paying attention to our recitation we already know and reflecting on the knowledge we have already gained can help reconnect us with the Qur’an. At least for myself (and I’m sure I’m not the only one), it’s too easy to recite a surah in the prayer and not even think about the meaning. Our heart should be moved and our intentions should be concrete, not just going through the motions because we think we should.
One thing on my bucket list of life is to learn Arabic. I would like to learn both classical and modern Arabic, for the purpose of being able to take more advanced classes (since they tend to be largely offered in Arabic), and more fully understanding the Qur’an. We have wonderful resources to help us understand the Qur’an, but a translation is giving us a dirty window into the truth of the matter. There will always be things that are unclear as they transfer from one language to another. This goal of mine seems pretty far off with little kids around (though I do have the Rosetta Stone Arabic course on my Eid wish list), and finding dedicated time is few and far between. In sha Allah my time will come. I know this stage of needing Mom all the time goes by so very fast.
The Qur’an is what brought me to Islam, and it is something I should strive to keep a connection with so I don’t lose my focus and drive, in sha Allah.
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