Answer
Short Answer: The Quran is the Muslim’s guide and code of life. However, most Muslims do not understand most of the concepts in the Quran. This is due to some societies’ emphasis on memorizing the Quran rather than memorizing and understanding. Many Muslims totally abandon the Quran since memorizing requires some effort and is considered hard. In order for the Quran to transform our lives, we need to understand it. This requires us to put some effort into reading one of the interpretations of the Quran. These are currently available online so we really have no excuse. Check this out for example. It is important to cover both the Quran and the authentic Hadith. This is because the Hadith is simply a practical implementation of what is in the Quran. We may look at it as the general guidelines are in the Quran and the details are in the Hadith.
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Salam Dear Reader,
Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.
The Quran is the Muslim’s guide and code of life. However, most Muslims do not understand most of the concepts in the Quran. This is due to some societies’ emphasis on memorizing the Quran rather than memorizing and understanding.
Many Muslims totally abandon the Quran since memorizing requires some effort and is considered hard.
In order for the Quran to transform our lives, we need to understand it. This requires us to put some effort into reading one of the interpretations of the Quran. These are currently available online so we really have no excuse. Check this out for example.
I would like to present a practical way of benefiting from the Quran. To make things easier, we need to pick a time when to learn it. This could be after Fajr or Isha. I personally recommend after Isha in order to involve the entire family.
Begin from either end of the Quran, it really does not matter. Do not do too much at a time. So limit the time rather than the number of verses that you will read. I would choose, for example, to read the Quran’s interpretation for five minutes and another five minutes reading Hadith.
It is important to cover both the Quran and the authentic Hadith. This is because the Hadith is simply a practical implementation of what is in the Quran. We may look at it as the general guidelines are in the Quran and the details are in the Hadith.
If you want to memorize the Quran, then do so after Fajr. It is the best time to retain information. This means that you must sleep early and wake up early. Separate this task from reading the interpretation of the Quran. As I recommended earlier, do that after Isha.
As for how much to memorize, again do not exceed a page of the Quran. You might also want to limit it by time rather than verses. Let us say no more than half an hour. Remember consistency is what makes you reach your goal. So, putting a lot of time in to it every once and a while is counterproductive.
So how do we put this knowledge into practice? One should record those things that he may use on daily basis. After some time, write what is relevant to certain occasions such as Hajj or Zakat. I am not saying here to write a book, but you should eventually have a small booklet of what is most important.
The purpose is not to become a Mufti, it is rather to understand our religion so we don’t fall into error. If confused about a certain matter, ask people of knowledge who may help you in making sense out of it.
If you read several interpretations of the same matter, do not be disappointed. It is part of Islam to have many options. Our religion is not about black and white. It is about all colors. You can think of it as a rainbow. Even the Quran was revealed in several different accents to suit all Arabic speaking nations.
After some time, you should have general knowledge about Islam. Be careful at this point not to interpret matters to people, giving them your opinion about Islamic rulings. You may guide them to where to find that specific knowledge. Remain humble even if you have read hundreds of Islamic books.
The minimum task that one may do is to read a page of the Quran a day. If not, at least few verses to eventually reach a page. Just like memorizing, separate the reading from the interpretation. Again, read/memorize after Fajr and read/understand the interpretation after Isha.
If you are able to read a page after each prayer then you will be able to complete the entire Quran in about four months. Consistency is the key.
We must remember how great the reward of reading, memorizing, and understanding the Quran and Hadith is. A’isha reported Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying:
One who is proficient in the Quran is associated with the noble, upright, recording angels; and he who falters in it, and finds it difficult for him, will have a double reward. (Sahih Muslim)
The Messenger of Allah said:
[Whoever recites a letter] from Allah’s Book, then he receives the reward from it, and the reward of ten the like of it. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter. (At-Tirmidhi, Hasan)
The Prophet said:
The one who memorized the Quran shall come on the Day of Judgment and (the reward for reciting the Quran) says: ‘O Lord! Decorate him.’ So he is donned with a crown of nobility. Then it says: ‘O Lord! Give him more!’ So he is donned with a suit of nobility. Then it says: ‘O Lord! Be pleased with him.’ So He is pleased with him and says: ‘Recite and rise up, and be increased in reward with every Ayah.’ (At-Tirmidhi, Hasan)
The Quran is not just for information, it is for transformation.
I hope this helps answer your question.
Salam and please keep in touch.
(From Ask About Islam archives)
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