It has been said that everything 8 Easy Steps to Recite the Entire Qur’an this Ramadan has a beloved & that the month of Ramadan has a beloved, too: The Glorious Qur’an. And so for the duration of this month, Muslims worldwide honour Ramadan’s beloved and aspire to complete the recitation of the Qur’an.

In this article you’ll learn how you too can work towards achieving this noble goal, insha’Allah.

Step 1: Establishing an intention

Our beloved Messenger ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) taught us – through his words & actions – the importance of one’s intent or purpose. Establishing one’s intention is an effective catalyst for implementation. Once your intention has been established, remember to renew it often. Whilst reciting and even upon completion of the Qur’an, recall your intention and renew it, thus ensuring that it is constantly purified & you are seeking His Divine Acceptance, inshaAllah.

Step 2: Don’t be overwhelmed

For some, as much as they aspire to complete the recitation of the Qur’an during Ramadan, they are overwhelmed by the number of pages or the length of some Surahs. Remove ‘I can’t’ from your vocabulary and eliminate negative thinking, for the believer puts their trust in Allah, matched by striving with their actions. Remind yourself that you are (if Allah wills) fully capable of achieving your Qur’anic aspirations, whether it be completing Qur’an 1 or 5 times. This second point is key. Put your heart into this accomplishment & reap the rewards throughout, inshaAllah.

Step: 3 Plan ahead

Prior to commencing with your recitation it’s important to plan around your routine and block out time for your Qur’an goal e.g. your work hours, rest hours & any other commitments which you may have. Structure a realistic plan of how to complete the recitation of Qur’an within the month by dividing each Juzz up per day. Draw up this personal plan, review it constantly, and put it into action!

As you put your plan to paper, consider past Ramadans and; ask yourself if there have been instances where you were unable to complete Qur’anic recitation. Reflect over why and how this occurred. Is there a different mechanism that you could put into place? How could you enhance your daily Qur’an routine if these distractions were dealt with?

Take the first opportunity that comes, to begin your Qur’anic quest. So when the moon is sighted & the announcement has been made for the 1st Salaatul-Taraweeh, begin in earnest, with Surah Al-Fatiha, Surah Al-Baqarah etc.

Step 4: Understand the Qur’an

Read the translation of the Juzz you will be reciting daily. Having a basic knowledge of the theme, topic, message & meaning of what you are reciting makes the recitation of the Qur’an an incredibly uplifting experience that you do not want to miss out on!

Step 5: Find Qur’an Buddies and Compete in Good

Develop close bonds with brothers/sisters who are known for their attachment to the Qur’an. They’ll be your spiritual friends. Engage a Qur’an Buddy in your noble Qur’an productivity goals. Request that they remind you to fulfil your goals and spiritual aspirations so they can help you in times of slacking.

In life, we compete with many materialistic goals and race one another, but what about following the footsteps of the best of generations that had come before us in a competition this Ramadan? In striving and competing with our friends and colleagues towards our noble goals, in a good-natured way, we can motivate ourselves to finish our Qur’an goal.

One of the common aspects which deter a Muslim from completing this task is excessive communication. Often, many of us spend too much unnecessary time surfing the net, chatting, texting, etc… . Reduce this even by a third and you will see, feel and witness the blessings in your time, inshaAllah.

Step 6: Seize the Moment

A deeply inspiring story in ‘lessons from the waiting room’ – where a mother; who has taken her unwell child to the hospital; waits for the doctor to see to her child. She notices a young Muslim who uses his time in the waiting room, in a most effective & spiritually rewarding way, reciting from a pocket-sized Quran. Lesson to be taken here: Invest in a pocket-sized Qur’an and make it your best friend this Ramadan. Seize every opportunity and moment to be with Allah subḥānahu wa ta’āla (glorified and exalted be He) (glorified and exalted be He) through your recitation.

One of the best times at which to recite Qur’an, is after Suhoor. Having partaken from the Sunnah meal, and within an hour or two still to go before work or school, this is the ideal jump start to your day. The Prophet ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) asked Allah subḥānahu wa ta’āla (glorified and exalted be He) (glorified and exalted be He) to bless our Ummah in the early hours, and you will also be more likely to memorise ayahs at this time. Research shows that morning study creates better performance in students so don’t miss the morning recitation!

Time Tip: Salah Followed by Qur’an.

Consider the following option that has worked well for numerous people in past Ramadans. Try reciting 6 – 8 pages of Qur’an (depending on the Mus-haf that you are using) after each of your 5 daily salah. Add Qiyaamul-Layl as a 6th addition, and you will reach the end of Ramadan, having completed your Qur’an recitation with ease & perhaps, even before the last 5 days of Ramadan so long as you remain committed.

Time Tip: Recite before going to sleep.

Allah subḥānahu wa ta’āla (glorified and exalted be He) (glorified and exalted be He) says: “Indeed, the hours of the night are more effective for concurrence [of heart and tongue] and more suitable for words” [73:6]. Reciting during the day is also beneficial, however the night time recitation is easier as well during Ramadan as there are less distractions and noise.

Step 7: Remain steadfast and consistent

The key to any success is consistency. Once you’ve mapped your plan, stick to it. Remind yourself of the greatness of this month, of the opportunities that it provides for your spiritual growth and your relationship with the Qur’an. Don’t be willing to compromise it in this month.

Step 8: Make dua’a to Allah subḥānahu wa ta’āla (glorified and exalted be He) (glorified and exalted be He)

Nothing can be achieved without the aid and guidance of Allah subḥānahu wa ta’āla (glorified and exalted be He) (glorified and exalted be He). When making your intention to complete your memorisation of Qur’an, supplicate to Allah subḥānahu wa ta’āla (glorified and exalted be He) (glorified and exalted be He) to ease this noble pathway and to crown your efforts with success, inshaAllah.

These are the 8 ways I wanted to share with you on starting and completing your journey through recitation of the Qur’an this Ramadan. Indeed, Allah subḥānahu wa ta’āla (glorified and exalted be He) (glorified and exalted be He) says in Surah Al-Baqarah: “This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.’’ In the hours of the days and nights of this sacred month, may the Qur’an be your companion of light and guidance, resonating through your words, actions and life mission. May your relationship with the Qur’an be strengthened, enriched & enlivened with the profound wisdom and divine message from Allah subḥānahu wa ta’āla (glorified and exalted be He) (glorified and exalted be He).

ARTICLE: PRODUCTIVE MUSLIM

A very beneficial Hadith reported on authority of Salman Al-Farsi RA on a sermon which the Prophet Muhammad SAW gave the day before Ramadan.

The Qur’an mentions only 25 prophets by name, including Zakariyah(A S), the father of Yahya (John the Baptist). Muslims, believe that many prophets were sent to mankind to spread the message of Allaah, including many not mentioned in the Qur’an.

General Description of Zakariyah (A S)

The years had taken their toll on the Prophet Zakariyah (A S) . He was now old and bent with age, in his nineties. Despite his feebleness, he went to the Mosque daily to deliver his sermons.

Zakariyah (A S) was not a rich man, but he was always ready to help those in need. His one disappointment in life was that he had no children, for his wife was barren. This worried him, for he feared there was no one after him to carry out his work. The people needed a strong leader, for if they were left on their own, they would move away from Allaah’s teachings and change the Holy Laws to suit themselves.

Zakariyah Talks to Maryam (‘Alayha Salaam)

Almighty Allaah chose Prophet Zakariyah (A S) as a prophet to the Children of Israel to guide them to believe in Allaah and worship Him alone. That was after false beliefs had spread amongst them and after they had neglected Allaah’s religion which He revealed to Prophet Moosa (A S) (Moses).

This took place years before the birth of Prophet ‘Eesaa(A S) (Jesus) the son of Maryam (‘Alayha Salaam). At that time, there was a pious man, called ‘Imraan, from the Children of Israel who was famous for his knowledge, piety, and virtue.

‘Imraan had a kind and pious wife. When she felt that she had become pregnant, she vowed that she would dedicate the baby that was in her womb for the service of Almighty Allaah and the service of the sacred mosque in Jerusalem and be totally devoted for this throughout his life. When she delivered her baby, she said, “My Lord! I have delivered a female child, and the male is not like the female. I have named her Maryam (‘Alayha Salaam) (Mary), and I seek refuge with You to guard her and for her offspring from Satan, the outcast.” After that, and when Maryam (‘Alayha Salaam) became a little older, her mother took her to Jerusalem to fulfill her vow.

It was necessary that one of the rabbis from among the pious clergymen who dwelt in the Mosque should care for Maryam (‘Alayha Salaam), in order to bring her up, properly cultivate her and attend to her needs.

The rabbis competed with one another each trying to take Maryam (‘Alayha Salaam) the daughter of the glorious scholar (‘Imraan), under his care. The most ambitious among them was Prophet Zakariyah(A S), who was the husband of her elder sister and the worthiest to take care of and cultivate her.

They agreed to draw lots so as to choose the one who would be the girl’s guardian. As the lot came up in his name, Prophet Zakariyah (A S), was very happy. He designated a special place for her in the mosque that no one but her was allowed to enter and raised her well and took care of her. She used to worship Almighty Allaah and glorify Him day and night so much so that she set an example of piety, goodness, and true deep faith. Moreover, Allaah honored her with special super natural events that indicated how much He privileged her and how high her rank was.
During one of his visits to the Mosque, he went to check on Maryam (‘Alayha Salaam), who was living in a secluded room of the Mosque. He was surprised to find fresh out-of-season fruit in her room. Besides him, no one had entry to her room. When he inquired, she told him that the fruit was from Allaah. She found it every morning. But why was he so surprised, she asked him. Did he not know that Allaah provides without measure for whom He wills?

This noble girl had opened his eyes to a startling idea. Could he not ask his Lord to bless him with a child in his old age? Even if his wife was past child-bearing age, nothing was impossible for his Gracious Lord!

Zakariyah Asks for a Son – Qur’anic

Allaah the Almighty revealed: ‘Kaf, Ha, Ya, Ain, Sad, These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’an, and none but Allaah (Alone) knows their meanings. (This is) a mention of the Mercy of your Lord to His slave Zechariah. When he called out his Lord (Allaah) – a call in secret, saying: ‘My Lord! Indeed my bones have grown feeble, and grey hair has spread on my head, and I have never been unblest in my in vocation to You, 0 my Lord! And Verily! I fear my relatives after me, since my wife is barren. So give me from Yourself an heir, – who shall inherit me, and inherit (also) the posterity of Jacob (inheritance of the religious knowledge and Prophethood, not the wealth, etc.) And make him, my Lord, one with whom You are Well-pleased!”

(Allaah said): “0 Zakariah! Verily, We give you the glad tidings of a son. His name will be Yahya. We have given that name to none before (him).”

He said: ‘My Lord! How can I have a son, when my wife is barren, and I have reached the extreme old age.”

He said: “So (it will be). Your Lord says, It is easy for Me. Certainly I have created you before, when you had been nothing.”

(Zakariah) said: ‘My Lord! Appoint for me a sign.”

He said: ‘Your sign is that you shall not speak unto mankind for three nights, though having no bodily defect.”

Then he came out to his people from Al-Mihrab (a praying place or a private room, etc.), he told them by signs to glorify Allaah ‘s Praises in the morning and in the afternoon.

(It was said to his son): “0 Yahya! Hold fast to the Scripture (The Torah).” And We gave him wisdom while yet a child, and (made him) sympathetic to men as a mercy (or a grant) from Us, and pure from sins (i.e. Yahya(John)) and he was righteous, and dutiful towards his parents, and he was neither an arrogant nor disobedient (to Allaah or to his parents). And Salamun (peace) on him the day he was born, the day he dies, and the day he will be raised up to life (again)! Surah 19: 1-12

When the earth is shaken with her (violent) shaking,
And the earth brings forth her burdens,
And man says: What has befallen her?
On that day she shall tell her news,
Because your Lord had inspired her.
On that day men shall come forth in sundry bodies that they may be shown their works.
So. he who has done an atom’s weight of good shall see it And he who has done an atom’s weight of evil shall see it. Surah Al-Zilzal (99:1-8)

The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said about Mu`aadh ibn Jabal: “Verily, when the people of knowledge will be present before their Lord, the Mighty and Sublime, Mu`aadh will be one step ahead of them.” [Saheeh, Ibn Sa`d, Aboo Nu`aim, at-Tabaraanee]

Aboo Nu`aim reports some sayings of Mu`aadh himself about the excellence of knowledge, among which we find the following:

“Knowledge is a comforting friend in times of loneliness, it is the best companion during travels, and it is the inner friend who speaks to you in your privacy. Knowledge is the discerning proof of what is right and what is wrong, and it is the positive force that will help you surmount the trials of comfort, as well as those of hardships. Knowledge is your most powerful sword against your enemy, and finally, it is your most dignifying raiment in the company of your close companions.”

“Through knowledge, Allah, blessed be His Name, raises some people in rank, and He makes them leaders in righteousness and models in morality. The vestige of their faith is avidly sought, their deeds are emulated perceptively, and people will seek and sanction their opinions solicitously and unequivocally. The heavenly angels seek their company and anoint them with their wings, every fresh or withered life they pass by implore Almighty Allah to forgive them their sins, even the fish in the oceans, the beasts of the lands and every bird of prey and migratory bird pray and solicit the mercy of Almighty Allah on their behalf. This is because knowledge revives the dead hearts and drives them out of darkness into light, and because knowledge is the light of the inner eyes that cures one’s blindness and restores his inner sight.”