بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum.
(Here’s Part 1.)
The first part had four tips to help you to enjoy the Quran. Here are some more ways to do that.
5. Get a basic understanding of the Quran
I mentioned this in the last part, pointing out that one should read the translation whilst reciting the Quran. Doing so will give one a basic overview of the Quran and its message.
Which translation should one use though? Well, the two best (and most accurate) ones (in my opinion) are:
1) The Noble Quran by Muhsin Khan and Taqiuddin Hilali
Read online:
https://www.noblequran.com/translation/
http://www.thenoblequran.com/sps/nbq/
The Noble Quran – PDF
2) The translation by Sahih International
It can be found in many places including:
http://quran.ksu.edu.sa/index.php?l=en#aya=1_1&m=hafs&qaree=husary&trans=en_sh
I like Pikthall’s translation as well (though there are a few mistakes) but it uses old English.
I wrote a series years ago about how I went about reading the translation and then mentioned a plan at the end for the readers.
Another option is listening to the translation (but the Quran should still be recited in Arabic as listening doesn’t replace that).
Youtube has many Quran videos with English subtitles. Other options can be found at https://quranicaudio.com/section/4
Yet another option is reading the word to word translation of the Quran. That helps one improve their Arabic vocabulary.
Darussalam has a nice 3 volume set that you can purchase.
Other options include:
A Word to Word Meaning of the Quran (3 Volumes) by Muhammad Mohar Ali. This one is really helpful as it gives the root meanings of the Arabic words and also has various other notes.
http://www.islamicstudies.info/quran/wordtranslation.php – By Shehnaz Shaikh and Kausar Khatri. Please note that I’m only endorsing this link and not the other books on this website.
http://www.recitequran.com/1:1
http://corpus.quran.com/wordbyword.jsp – Very good for learning Arabic.
You may also find the Quran dictionaries here to be useful: http://understandquran.com/resources/dictionaries/english.html
Understand Quran also has a word to word audio translation of the short surahs (but it is paid). They also offer short courses so that you can get a basic understanding of the Quran.
6. Get a deeper understanding of the Quran
The Quran is the last and final message from Allah to His creation and is the greatest miracle bestowed on the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Absolutely nobody should be happy with just a basic understanding of this book. Especially given the fact that we’ve been ordered to ponder over the Quran and a basic understanding really doesn’t allow us to do that.
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا
Do they not then think deeply in the Quran, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)? [Surah Muhammad (47) : 24]
كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ
(This is) a Book (the Quran) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember. [Surah Sad (38) : 29]
It’s imperative for each and every Muslim to strive to get a deeper understanding of the Quran. And when they do that, they’re going to see a remarkable change in their lives.
So how does one get a deeper understanding, you ask? Well, here are two ways to work on in the remaining days of this blessed month:
a) Learn Arabic
Well, one way is to learn Arabic so that you no longer have to rely on the translation to understand the basic meaning.
I actually wrote an entire series on that years ago.
The following three websites offer lessons in a simple manner:
- Understand Quran – As mentioned in the previous part, you can pay for a month and start doing the first course immediately. As each video is 15-20 mins long, it’s easy to get something done in a day. There is a children’s course as well.
- Madinah Arabic – Has free lessons based on the Madinah Arabic series.
- Learn Arabic – This seems like a fun way to learn Arabic.
The following two websites offer a more comprehensive plan:
- Islamic Online University Diploma Program – There are five (free) Arabic courses at present – one for reading and writing, three for grammar and one for speaking.
- Dr. Vaniya’s website – This is the author of the Madinah Arabic series. The whole series as well additional books and resources can be found on his website, including a plan to follow. They have resources for children as well.
I’ve said it before and will say it again – Don’t worry so much about which program you want to follow. You can choose any of the above. The important thing is that you start and continue until the end. This is what most people are unable to do.
If this is the problem that you have, then I’d advise you to keep doing dua (supplication) on a daily basis asking Allah to help you learn Arabic and continue the program.
b) Read the tafsir (explanation)
Reading the tafsir of the relevant ayah (verse) or surah is the best way to understand it properly.
Now, whilst Arabic has loads of books on tafsir, English does not.
There’s the abridged version of Tafsir Ibn Kathir (also available in French) in 10 volumes which you can read online here. Or you could just purchase the Juz Amma book and read a little bit of that every day. Believe me, it will really soothe your heart.
As for Tafsir As-Saadi, Surah Al-Fatihah and Juz Amma can be found online. Darussalam has published Juz 1-3 as well as Juz 28-30.
There are some others available as well.
For this Ramadan though, I’ll just mention some short selections that you can read in the remaining days (there are more available on my older Tafsir blog):
Ibad Ar-Rahman – An explanation of Verses 62-67 from Surah Al-Furqan which mentions the characteristic of the servants of the Most Merciful. Based on Tafsir As-Saadi.
Lessons and Rulings from the Story of the Guests of Ibrahim – Translation of the tafsir of Verses 24-37 of Surah Ad-Dhaariyat from Tafsir As-Saadi.
Explaining Surah At-Takathur – Translation of the tafsir of Ibn Uthaimeen
The Three Shelters – Tafsir of the three Quls (i.e. the last three Surah of the Quran) by Dr. Bilal Philips
If you have no idea which one to choose then read this one:
50 Life Rules from the Quran – By Al Huda Sisters. Based on a book by Umar Al-Muqbil. Lovely book indeed.
7. Even more ways to enjoy the Quran
For those who want to really enjoy the Quran, here goes:
a) Listen to a soothing recitation of the Quran
A beautiful recitation is a very fast way to get one to love the Quran.
There are many amazing recitations available including that of my masjid’s imam (and also one of my teachers), Shaikh Saad Ash-Shaal:
Surah Al-Fatihah:
Surah An-Nahl:
Surah An-Noor:
And the best part is that he is a man who is very knowledgeable of the Sunnah.
His entire recitation is available on his website.
For those of you in Dubai and thereabouts who would like to pray behind him, the masjid is located here.
b) Memorise some small surahs
Yes, we all love Surah Al-Kawthar and Surah Al-Asr, but enough is enough. Memorising other surahs will enhance your prayer!
Start by memorising one ayah (verse) a day and go from there.
For those who have already memorised the small surahs, why not review them or move on to the longer surahs? Remember, memorising the Quran is a long journey, not a sprint.
c) Use the duas (supplications) mentioned in the Quran
The Quran is full of duas. Why not use them? That will make you more attached to the Quran.
d) Use the Quran as a cure
This is one of the ways that the Quran has been abandoned. Most Muslim don’t even know that we should seek a cure from the Quran – for spiritual, mental and physical diseases.
The topic of ruqya (spiritual healing) needs a separate series on its own so I won’t get into it here. Brother Tim Humble has an entire series on that though:
https://muhammadtim.telegr.am/videos/
e) Act upon the Quran and call to it
Yes, this is what we’re actually supposed to be doing with regards to the Quran. All the other things are a lead up to these two.
And it’s these two things that will truly make you enjoy the Quran because then you’ll be living the Quran and helping others to live the Quran.
May Allah make us of those who live the Quran and enjoy it as it should be enjoyed.