Rekindling our relationship with the Quran is the need of the hour. As we see the Muslim Ummah trapped in the shackles of Western propaganda, there is nothing but the Quran that can save us all.

To our misfortune, Muslims worldwide, particularly the youth, are slowly traveling into a web spread by Western media. We feel inspired by their lifestyle. The luxuries they enjoy and their overall conduct keeps us in awe. Allah (SWT) and His beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) repeatedly instructed people to strengthen their connection with the Quran.

For example, here in the first verse of Surah Ar-Ra’ad, Allah (SWT) says:

“These are the Verses of the Book (the Quran), and that which has been revealed unto you (Muhammad (S)) from your Lord is the truth, but most men believe not.”

Over and over, we are told that bonding with This Book will protect us in this world and the Hereafter. The fact that you have read this blog so far proves your eagerness to connect with The Holy Book.

If yes, may Allah (SWT) bless you, abundantly!

Also, take a look at the following tips to ease this journey for yourself:

1. Start Reading

Opening this Book, with the intention of mere recitation, brings incredible reward. The first step towards every goal is to acknowledge yourself with the basics. Recitation of the Quran opens a whole new world for you.

Don’t agonize over how many pages to read so that you can finish the entire recitation in the minimum possible time. Instead, recognize the beauty of slow and mellow recitation. We suggest you set a routine where you would recite a specific number of pages at a particular time. You can fix a slot after Fajr or after Isha.

Just make sure you adhere to the schedule.

2. Learn Proper Tajweed

When you begin to recite, there is a high chance of making pronunciation mistakes. Arabic is a beautiful language. And Quran, in particular, has a unique dialect. Non-Arabs must enhance their understanding of highs and lows, symbols, and gestures required to read the Quran correctly.

You can enroll yourself in online tajweed classes or ask a professional tajweed tutor to aid you with this mission. As you begin the effort, it will be a little hard in the early days. But slowly, you will fall in love with the profound Arabic dialect used in the Quran.

For such people, Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:

Those to whom We gave the Book recite it as it should be recited, they are the ones that believe therein.” (2:121)

3. Study Tafseer

Quran is the Book of Allah Almighty (SWT). And there are fantastic lessons hidden beneath the verses which we must know. Understanding the Quran should be our mission in this life as it allows us to understand what our Lord wants from us.

Allah (SWT) tells us the impact of reading and understanding the Quran can:

“take mankind from the depths of darkness to light” (14:1)

“guides them to the ways of peace” (5:16)

“guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers” (17:9)

You can join a Halaqah in the local mosque or enroll yourself in a nearby Islamic Institute. If none of this is possible, there is always an option of going for virtual learning. Nowadays, we have plenty of digital platforms where teachers from credible backgrounds help students learn the Quran online. It is flexible, easy, and quite accommodating for busy individuals.

A few days into an authentic program and you will find the state of your heart changing steadily. It compels you to rethink your life’s goals and make decisions that please Allah (SWT).

Final Thoughts

These are only a few tips that can help to enhance your journey towards the Quran. Once This Book becomes your partner, you will have a new set of priorities. For instance, you’d prefer to listen to beautiful recitations while driving instead of playing songs. And who knows, you might get the motivation to memorize the Quran from cover to cover?

May Allah (SWT) make us among his beloved servants and rekindle our relationship with the Quran forever!

Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) – an Infinite Source of Light!

He was a man who would never curse even his deadly enemies. He has set an example of a character you can never find in the entire history of humanity.

And when it comes to his treatment towards children, one only expects kindness, gentleness, and unconditional love. Indeed, Muhammad (PBUH) was ultimately loving towards kids. Be it, children, from his family or friends, it made no difference to him.

For example:

• Whenever children came towards him, he used to pick them up in his arms and caress them with love
• At times, he used to put his tongue out playfully, and the kid near him would become excited
• He used to stroke their heads and made loving prayers for them
• When he used to lie down, he made the child sit on his chest or his feet

Apart from this general behavior, we find numerous examples in his life when he had been exceptionally kind towards children. Some of these incidents are listed below:

Interaction with the Bedouins

In many of his teachings, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) emphasized the importance of teaching children with kindness and compassion.

Hazrat Aisha (RA) reports that “Some Bedouin people came to the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) and said: ‘Do you kiss your children?’ He said: ‘Yes.’ [The Bedouin] said: ‘But we, by Allah, never kiss (our children).’ The Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) said: ‘What can I do if Allah has taken away mercy from you?’”

• Sunan ibn Majah

Treatment to the Slave Kid – Anas bin Malik (RA)

Slavery, at that time, was quite common in the Arabian society. Our beloved Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) has Anas bin Malik (RA) as his servant for ten years. He was the personal servant of Muhammad (PBUH) and served him till his death.

The devoted companion later stated that “I served the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) at Medina for ten years. I was a boy. Every work that I did was not according to the desire of my master, but he never said to me: Uff, nor did he say to me: Why did you do this? or Why did you not do this?”

• Sunan Abi Dawud

Reflection:  How do we treat our house help or those inferior to us? How do we react when they make a mistake?

Praised the Kids

Kids, like adults, also have sensitive self-esteem. They do not like it when someone insults or ridicules them in front of everyone. On the contrary, they love it when adults praise them and talk good of them.

A companion among the believing women called Umm Khaled narrates an incident happened to her during her childhood she still remembers. She says: “I came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) with my father, and I had a yellow dress on me.

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said “Sanah, Sanah” (Sanah means nice in Ethiopian language), she said “then I went to play with the ring of the Prophet whereupon my father stopped me” then the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said “leave her” then he said to me “Wear out and consume, wear out and consume, wear out and consume (he was supplicating for her to wear more clothes and consume).”

• Bukhari

Reflection: How often do we praise our kids or children around us? We think there is no point in praising them, so we never do it!

Allowed the Kids to Behave Childishly

There is one other famous incident. The Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) was leading the prayer. He had made the prostration extra long, and only after the prayer was completed did the congregants realize why. His grandson had actually climbed on his back while he was in the prostration and order not to disturb him, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) waited until he was done to rise from the prostration.

• Sunan an-Nasa’i

Reflection: What do we do if kids climb on our backs or do not let us pray? We push them away, harshly!

This is an excellent lesson for us. Children may sometimes behave irrationally. They talk about things that do not make any sense. They may make it difficult for you to carry out your routine tasks. However, this certainly doesn’t allow you to be rude towards them or scold them.

Final Thoughts

Those tiny souls will not stay little for long. You must incorporate teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) in your tarbiyah. And when you begin following the best example, there is very little chance for your children to turn out bad people. Right?

In the end, it is not only your kids or children in your family that should be treated the Muhammad way. It is for every child you interact with! Show them mercy, love, respect, and trust. Insha’Allah, the Almighty will reward you for it. After all, you are following the Sunnah of His Beloved.

One sight on the new moon and our entire state of Imaan flips over. That’s the thing about Ramadan. It changes our hearts. Even when we have not fasted yet, offering the first Taraweeh prayers makes us feel good and uplifted.

However, it is quite sad that many of us are clueless about the way to spend this blessed month. We want to make the most out of it. But we cannot do so because of our lack of knowledge. Similarly, many amongst us have high spirits in the beginning. And as the month goes by, their spirits die down.

The only solution to this dilemma is to open the Quran. In it, we find guidance and the correct direction from our Lord for all affairs of our life.

Of all the commands mentioned in the Quran, the rulings about fasting are discussed comprehensively in Surah Baqarah.

“Oh, you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness.” [Quran,2:183]

The entire passage, henceforth, discusses the actions allowed during the fasting and contains the instructions for people who can’t fast. Apart from this, Allah makes an important revelation here. He provides how Ramadan is the month of the Quran. This connection between Ramadan and the Quran makes things easier for us. We can reap maximum rewards by making our Ramadan a period to reflect and recite the Quran.

It is beneficial to prepare beforehand. This gives you an idea and makes it easy for you to design a schedule for the days to come. Here is how you should Welcome Ramadan:

1. Decorate

You are about to enter the holiest month of the Islamic Calendar. It is the time to rejoice and convey the happiness around you. You can do that by putting up decorations around your house. Tiny fairy lights, colorful banners, and cute lanterns bring a pleasant aura to your house.

This is hugely beneficial if you have kids in your household. They learn at a very young age that there is something special about these days. Decorations before the onset of Ramadan makes them excited. It serves as a visual reminder and raises their anticipation.

2. Set Up a Countdown

You can move your calendar backward. For instance, if there are twenty days left for Ramadan, you put your calendar to 20 and keep turning the pages back until Ramadan arrives.

Or on the tenth or twentieth of Sha’aban, you can paste a note on your fridge stating the number of days left to Ramadan. As days go by, you can cross and move one number back. This way, people in the house become aware and get to know that things are going to change.

Muslim families across the globe the psychological impact of the countdown has been appreciated by many

3. Plan the Good Deed Ramazan Schedule

As mentioned earlier, Ramadan is the month where you have to establish a connection with Allah. And that happens via good deeds.

So, make sure you prioritize tasks well. Plan the good deeds that are within your capacity. It includes Zakah, Quran, Salah, and Tasbeeh (the easiest of all):

“Is anyone of you incapable of earning one thousand Hasanah (rewards) a day?” Someone from the gathering asked, “How can anyone of us earn a thousand Hasanah?” Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: “Glorify Allah a hundred times by just saying “Subhanallah” and a Good deeds will be written for you, or a thousand sins will be wiped away.” (Muslim)

You have to be vigilant of every moment in Ramadan. To make things easier, you can create a chart of good deeds. Write all the targets you want to achieve. For example, you can write the pages of the Quran you will read each day, the sadaqah you want to do, and the portion of the Holy Book you wish to understand. If you need professional guidance, we suggest you enroll in an Online Quran Teaching Academy.

4. Food Prep

You cannot afford to lose the precious hours in the kitchen preparing food for the iftar. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to cook anything and worship all the time. The key here is to plan efficiently.

You must prepare ahead and prepare a few dishes before the month arrives. This way, you can serve scrumptious meals to your families and sustain a strong bond with Allah, too.

Conclusion

The Holy Month is standing at the corner. It is wise if we chuck out all our worldly affairs so we can focus on worship. For a month, we have to put aside the affairs of the Dunya. It becomes easy if you look around you and reflect on how Allah (SWT) has blessed you beyond measures.

We can never repay Him. The least we can do is be grateful to Him and call out to Him in the blessed month. And eventually, we will discover our entire year will fill up with Barakah, insha’Allah

 

The onset and rapid transmission of novel Coronavirus have taken the whole world by surprise. Where there is a whole body of scientists and researchers working to find its cure, the religious faction is taken aback. People are firing queries at them, to which they see no definite answer.

Is it a punishment from Allah? A test? Or is the Day of Qiyamah about to come?

Quite honestly, debates like these serve no purpose. Our religion advises us to focus on a bigger picture. Never lose our habit of being grateful and patient. Yet, the confusion that many people face these days is how to observe the above two (patience and gratefulness)?

The entire world is in chaos, and we can’t help but feel upset.

The Good that Tags Along

Now, let’s look at the brighter side. COVID-19 has hit us, precisely at the time when we are about to enter the happiest time of the year – RAMADAN!

Typically, Muslims celebrate this month with a rejuvenated faith each year. The mosques stay full, and conflicts in the society level down to zero (almost!). The faces are happy, and everyone in the community stands as a united front.

However, this year things are different. Mosques have been closed to curb further outbreak and people are under strict social distancing practice. Many of us feel tense. And we must fight away the thoughts that break our spirits. We should try to view the half full glass, instead of moping for the half-empty one.

This virus is a blessing in disguise, if we use our insight. It is a reminder that Allah is the Most Powerful, no matter how much the human boasts around about his knowledge. It is about time we realize this and re-establish our lost connectivity with the Divine.

Establishing Divine Connection

The lock-down can be an excellent opportunity for you to strengthen your relationship with the Quran.

Let’s see how:

We can read more Quran

Being at home, scrolling down social media brings no benefit. The only thing we feel after browsing our phones these days is STRESS!

The best way to beat anxiety is through Quran. Now you can utilize most of your time reading the Quran. That Online Tajweed Class you were delaying for so long can now be taken easily. You also get more time after Fajr and Maghrib prayers.

So instead of folding your mat, keep sitting. Take out your Mushaf and beautifully recite the Quran. You will feel more hopeful and optimistic.

We can understand the translation

The main reason why most people do not pick up the practice of understanding the Quran is their busy schedule. They assume that they can understand Tafseer at a later part of their lives. Perhaps when they have retired or have fewer domestic responsibilities.

They ignore the Master Plan of the Almighty. How could they presume they will live to see those days?

This virus is teaching us many new things. Among that, one lesson we have learned is – no one knows what is coming next!

It is time we set our priorities right. Understanding the Word of Allah is not optional. It is the purpose of our life (among others). So during this lockdown, you can enroll yourself in the Online Tafseer Lessons. A few days in the classroom, and you will feel a difference in your perspective. Insha’Allah, you will enjoy it to such an extent that you won’t feel snapping out of these lessons even when things go back to normal.

We can memorize the Quran

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) said: “Indeed, Allah will elevate some people with this book, and he will degrade others with it.”

None of us wants to fall into the latter category. Why not make this possible during the lock-down? We can devote more of our time to finish the memorization we have left midway. And if you are someone who always wished to begin the Hifdh journey. Now is the best time to do that!

You can seek assistance from an Online Quran Tutor or ask someone in the family who is proficient at reading the Quran. Remember, this is a noble endeavor. When you set out on it, you will watch miracles happening in your life.

No one is asking you to complete the entire Quran memorization. If it is hard for you, you can memorize a few surahs only. When you start reciting them during your Taraweeh in Ramadan, you will have a sense of extraordinary happiness.

Verdict – COVID 19 will make you a better and stronger Muslim!

We will repeat – do not let this time of crisis break your Imaan.

Do not waste these hours on social media or watching movies. Because you will end up more depressed and anxious. Do not let these things break you!

It is a golden opportunity to recreate your Divine Connectivity. You can make these moments precious by spending more time with the Quran. With uplifted spirit and friendship of Allah, nothing can bring you down.

Take this therapy for a month, at least, and let us know how you feel.

Amongst all the blessings Allah (SWT) has showered upon us, the best of all is the Quran. Although we fail to realize its worth in this life, it will be evident in the Hereafter. When those who have memorized the Quran by heart will be given a crown of honor and honorable garments, their glory will be unparalleled!

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah thWhen those who have memorized the Quran by heart will be given a crown of honor and honorable garments, their glory will be unparalleled!at the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The Quran will come on the Day of Resurrection and will say, ‘O Lord, adorn him.’ So he will be given a crown of honor to wear. Then it will say, ‘O Lord, give him more.’ So he will be given a garment of honor.’ Then it will say, ‘O Lord, be pleased with him.’ So Allah (SWT) will be pleased with him. Then it will be reported to him, ‘Recite and advance in status, and for each verse, you will gain one more hasanah (reward for good deed).” – (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2915)

With that insight, it is hard to ignore the virtues of memorizing the Quran.

Have you ever been called onto the stage to receive a special prize? The crowd cheering on you and the chief guest handing you the award?

If not, imagine being in such a position. How do you feel? Fantastic, right?

Well, it’s going to be the same scenario. Except, the crowd will be huge! And the presenter would be the Most Supreme Authority. Who wouldn’t like to receive an award from Him?

So if you are capable and eager to learn the Quran by heart, you must not delay the endeavor. Here are eight rules you should follow to make the journey easy:

1. The First Gear

For starters, you should do the following:

• Purify your intention – you should only do it for the sake of Allah (SWT)
• Pray – ask Allah (SWT) to honor and reward you for your hard work
• Repent – seek forgiveness for all the sins you have committed in the past

2. Find Your Tutor/Reader

Once you are clear on your goals, your next step is to find a reliable tutor. Be it an Online Memorization Tutor or a known scholar at the nearby Islamic Center. Make sure that the teacher is authentic, knowledgeable, and well-versed in Tajweed Rules. He/she should be capable of guiding you and pointing out your flaws.

Even though you can learn the Quran on your own too, having an authority figure makes a significant difference. For one, it keeps you away from skipping the lessons or forgetting the previously learned verses.

3. Stick to One Specific Copy

This rule will help you master your Hifdh. Given that you are learning from the same copy, the verses will start appearing in your imagination when you recite. The form of the verses and their placement stamps in your mind. It happens because you keep looking at the copy for learning.

4. Understand the Meaning

Allah (SWT) has sent down this Quran for implementation. Blind recitation of The Book becomes highly virtuous if you also understand the meaning. You must know the commands tied up with each verse. It is, therefore, integral to know the Quran in your mother tongue. As you can link the verse with meaning, learning becomes more manageable.

The best method of doing that is to read the meaning of your lesson verses.

5. Apportion the Daily Lessons

Every individual varies in his/her caliber. Instead of competing with your fellows, find the pace that works for you. It could be one page, half a page, or several verses. If you are learning the Quran via an Online Hifdh Academy or an Online Memorization Tutor, they will help you find the speed that works for you.

Whatever it is, make sure you are consistent with learning. Do not falter from the fixed lesson amount.

And to ensure that happens, follow the next rule –

6. Master Every Lesson

It is useless to move onto the next session if you do not master the last one.  If you have started this journey, do not let the enthusiasm die with time. Make it your business to recite it throughout the day. One trick of making it doable is to fix a particular portion in each Salah. Plus, make it a rule not to move on to the next lesson unless the present one is fully memorized.

7. Loud Voice

You may feel awkward initially, but reciting in a loud voice really helps. When your voice falls onto your eardrums, you start learning verses in a better way.

Make sure you do not recite so loud that people around you get irritated. Keep your pitch moderate. For instance, if you have joined an online memorization class, your voice should be loud enough for the tutor to hear. And when you are reciting on your own, it should be hearable to your ears.

Reciting silently takes time, but when you read your lesson aloud, you will learn better.

8. Devote Time

As mentioned earlier, don’t let the enthusiasm blow away with time. You are treading onto a noble mission. You must allow a considerable amount of time to it. The time after Fajr and Maghrib is the best. Students of knowledge study their lessons at this time, and it brings brilliant results.

Try it out. You will definitely feel the difference.

The Bottom Line

In the end, it is vital to mention that the golden period of memorization is five until twenty-three years. Yet, it certainly does not mean that you cannot stride onto this mission later. As the adage goes, if there is a will, there is a way.

No matter which age bracket you belong to, you can be a Hafidh! All you need is devotion and follow all the rules.

We hope you will win the glorious crown and garments on Resurrection Day, insha’Allah!

 

 

 

 

These days, Corona-virus is something that everyone is talking about. The outbreak initiated in China, and so far, it has affected about 100 countries on the world map. Upon recommendations of the scientists, people around the globe are avoiding crowded places, canceling their travel plans, and taking precautions like working remotely.

It got even worse when Saudi Arabia banned pilgrimage for residents and outsiders in the past week. According to the Gulf SPA, this move was the “precautionary measures taken by Saudi authorities to prevent the spread of the virus.” So far, more than 60,000 people have applied for the upcoming Hajj event. And all of a sudden, Saudi Arabia has abandoned further accepting requests. Although all of these measures are only temporary, it is an alarming situation for the Muslims.

As the disciples of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), we have to examine everything in the light of Islamic Law. There is a narration of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that tells us not to enter or leave an infected city. We must have a firm faith that death is a fact. It will catch everyone at their appointed time. We have no idea if we will be alive the next day. Thereupon, fleeing from the city or country is not a good idea.

Another approach you can adopt is to take precautions. Islam calls upon its followers to perform two tasks for seeking protection from diseases:

• Preserve your souls. That is, try all the practical measures recommended by experts to protect ourselves from all harm.

• Focus on your cleanliness. The Prophet (PBUH) clearly said: “Purification is half of faith.” (Muslim)

Our religion is beautiful. You must have heard how doctors across the world are recommending people to wash their hands and be extra alert of their cleanliness to minimize the chances of being infected. Our religion has been asking us to do so for a long time! SubhanAllah!

When we perform ablution, we wash the hands and face, rinse the mouth and nose. These actions are known to curb the spread of infectious diseases. These are the main areas through which germs spread (hands, face, respiratory tracks) are frequently cleaned. Just imagine if you perform Wudhu five times a day, how much you are reducing the risk of infection with minimum efforts!

Therefore, all we need to do is follow the Sunnah and way of life given to us by Allah (SWT) and the Prophet (PBUH). Being afraid and running away will bring no good. Remember, our final destination is in the Hereafter. Our lives here are temporary. Adorn them with Islamic laws and put your trust in Allah (SWT).

May Allah give us the strength to be staunch followers of Islam and protect us from all harms. Ameen!