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read the Quran year-round. Some
rehearse to prepare to lead tarawih,
yet others read to merely show off
(Allah protect us). However, very few
people read the Quran in Ramadan
in order to consistently incorporate
it into their lives. As such, how can
one expect to maintain this habit of
reading the Quran after Ramadan?
If one really wants to sustain a habit
after Ramadan, one must make a firm
resolution and take the initiative prior
to our welcoming of Ramadan.
Another important factor to
consider is that when we read Quran
we are not aware of its virtues or
unconscious of its virtues, making it
easy to get bored. How can we enjoy
a devotion when we do not even know
its virtues and objectives? Thus, there
is a great need to continuously be
reminded of the virtues of the Quran
until it settles in our hearts:
1. It is the book of Allah, the Allknowing,
the All-wise. It is
bound to have a positive effect
on us since every book transmits
certain qualities of the author to
the reader. Being cognizant of
this might help us in adhering
to the etiquettes of the Quran as
well, which is a prerequisite for
benefiting from the Quran.
2. The reciter is rewarded for
each letter and each reward is
tenfold, regardless of whether it is
understood or not.
3. The Quran will intercede on
behalf of its reciter on the Day of
Judgement.
4. The houses in which the Quran
is recited are illuminated and are
seen as stars by the inhabitants of
the Heavens.
5. To continually read and re-read
the Quran is among the most
beloved acts to Allah.
6. The Quran is a cure and it brings
peace and tranquility to the
heart.
7. Allah praises those who read the
Quran.
Reading the Quran is sometimes
perceived as trivial and is thus brushed
off with the most banal of excuses, such
as, “I don’t have time.” These excuses
are indicative of the sad reality of how
insignificant recitation of the Quran is
to us. As Maulana Khayr Mohammad
would say, “Delaying an action based
on not having an opportunity is proof
for not having importance of that
action (Islam aur Siyasi Nazriyyat).
1Although termed single, it refers to anything not meeting the criterion for mass transmission.
One may think that by not reading the
Quran it will only deprive oneself of
the benefits and will have no impact on
others, but this is incorrect. Numerous
scholars, who have outlined the
underlying causes of the decline of
the Muslim Umma as a whole, have
cited the lack of connection with the
Quran as a primary cause. Shaykh ul-
Hind, after returning from the Island
of Malta, said, “The concern for the
worldwide decline of the Muslims
would constantly rack my mind. After
years of contemplation in isolation,
I have realized that the causes are
two: desertion of Quran and internal
disputes” (al-Khayr al-Kathir).
We need to ask ourselves: Do we have
an interest in the Quran? Have we tried
developing any interest? If the Quran
is miraculous, then how come it does
not appear interesting to us? Or is it no
longer a miracle? How is it a miracle? If
a non-Muslim asks us to tell us reason
why we believe in the Quran, would
we be able to provide a convincing
response? Do we care enough to take
time out to research and understand
the Quran?” Reflection on these types
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