One of the most common hindrances for many people, when they wish to start learning the Quran, is they convince themselves that they’re just too old. The boat has sailed because you didn’t start when you were younger, but that’s simply not true.
The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) was 40 years old when the first revelation was brought to him. Unable to read and write, the best of creation was the first to know the words of Allah (S.W). Albeit a different circumstance entirely, this should serve as motivation to us all. Knowing more about the book of Allah can certainly aid our motivation to start our journey with it.
THIS IS THE BOOK! THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT – A GUIDE FOR THOSE MINDFUL OF ALLAH {SURAH AL-BAQARAH VERSE 2}
What does it mean to be mindful of Allah? Constantly trying to remind ourselves that He is watching us and that we are never alone. With such mindfulness, we strive to constantly be doing our best, however, as humans, we all fall short. Being regular with the reading of the Quran allows us to be brought back to such an important reminder – that we are in fact never alone. Our efforts big or small never go unnoticed, The Most Merciful is always aware of them.
The Quran is a guide:
The Quran can act as a map through life – with countless lessons from Prophets, Messengers, and people from the past, there are many lessons for us to learn from. Without a guide, one can feel lost and lonely along this journey. Allah (S.W) sent the Quran to the whole of mankind as a mercy, an opportunity to choose the correct way of life – Islam. Muslims ask Allah (S.W) multiple times a day to be guided upon the straight path, for it is only through His mercy that we may be upon it:
GUIDE US ALONG THE STRAIGHT PATH {SURAH AL-FATIHA VERSE 6}
The Quran is a key to Jannah:
Spending time with the Quran and intending to gain Allah (S.W)’s pleasure through this action could be your key to Jannah. Striving to learn the words of the Almighty to act upon them can only result in goodness. One of the ways in which we can be reminded of the ultimate goal (reaching Jannah Insha’Allah) is through the frequent recitation of the Quran and striving to learn it.
Narrated by Aisha (R.A) the Prophet (S.A.W) said:
“Such a person as recites the Quran and masters it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven). And such a person exerts himself to learn the Quran by heart, and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward.”
[Sahih Bukhari: Book 6 – Volume 60, Hadith 459]
How can we ensure we are giving the Quran the time it deserves in our day to day lives? Here are some practical steps you can take to get started:
- Analyse your day to see which time is best to spend some quality time with the Quran, then ensure this time is dedicated to reading and reciting it daily.
- If you are trying to become more fluent with reading, focus on listening to a reciter of your choosing in your free time and reciting as much as you can in your selected time.
- If trying to memorise, ensure you have a revision plan set in place to ensure you do not forget what you have already learnt. Listen to the verses you are trying to memorise and recite them over and over until you feel confident enough to recite them from memory.
- Try to make it a habit to understand what it is you are reciting to ensure you understand as much as you possibly can.
- Don’t forget to ask Allah for His aid with learning and acting upon His words! Only through Him will we be successful on our journeys.
Rabbana la tuzigh quloobana ba’da idh hadaitana wa hab lana milladunka rahmah innaka antal Wahhab
English Meaning: “Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower”. (Quran 3:8)