Living with the Qur’an

• The Journey of Life

• Basic prerequisites

• Participation of the inner self

• Rules of reading

• Quranic Knowledge – 7Ts

• How to study the Qur’an

• Your family and the Qur’an

• The Qur’an Journal

Basic Prerequisites

• Faith: The Word of God

• Purity of Intention and Purpose

• Bringing Gratitude and Praise

• Acceptance and Trust

• Obedience and Change

• Hazards and Obstacles

• Trust and Dependence

Participation of the Inner Self

• The Quran and the Heart • Dynamics of inner participation • Conversation in Allah's Presence • Trusting and Expecting Allah's Rewards • Acts of Heart and Body • Reading with Tartil • Self Purifcation Reading with

Comprehension

Rules of Reading

• How Often to Read? • How Much to Read? • When to Read? • Reading Correctly • Reading Beautifully • Listening Attentively • Completing the Reading (Khatm) • Memorizing

Quranic Knowledge - 7 T’s

• Tajwid

• Tartil

• Tahfiz

• Tarjumah

• Ta’allum al-lugha

• Tafsir

• Tadabbur

How to Study the Qur’an

• The Big Issue• Personal Study• Categories of Understanding• Levels of Understanding• Basic Requirements• Aids for Study• Technique for Study• Methodological Guidelines• Qur’anic Educational Resources

The Big Issue

• Do we have understand the Qur’an ‘on our own’?

• Can we not just listen to the ‘learned’?

• Can we not be misguided?

• ‘Whoever interprets the Qur’an by his own opinion shall take his place in

Hell? (Tirmidhi).

Categories of Understanding I

• Tadhakkur– Entails receiving admonition, deriving

advice, remembering, taking to heart– Requires no sophisticated tools and

available to every sincere inquirer

Categories of Understanding II

• Tadabbur– Entails understanding full meaning of

every word, exploring fuller meanings, metaphors and parables, lexical intricacies, historical background, comparative study of different tafsir

Levels of Understanding

• Level I: Comprehend simple, literal meaning

• Level 2: Understanding how the learned have understood it

• Level 3: Tadhakkur and Tadabbur• Level 4: Discover meanings by obeying its

messages, fulfilling its duties and mission

Basic Requirements

• Arabic• Reading the whole Qur’an• Reading Tafsir Works• Study of selected portions• Reading again and again• Inquiring Mind

Aids for Study

• Personal copy of the Qur’an• Qur’an with a translation and reliable short

commentary• Acquire multiple translations.• Advanced study – Get a detailed tafsir• Get a good Arabic dictionary• Get a concordance

How to Study Stage 1: Defining problems

• Step 1: Renewal of your niyyah • Step 2:Read, comprehending meaning x3• Step 3:Write down major themes• Step 4:Write down the central theme• Step 5:Sub-divide into shorter portions which

convey one single message• Step 6:Underling key words and phrases• Step 7: Ask questions about the passage

How to Study : Stage 2: Finding Solutions

• Step 1:Find meaning of important words• Step 2:Find meaning of phrases & statements• Step 3:Ponder on unity and cohesion of the ayat• Step 4: seek meaning of each phrase within context

of passage, surah and entire Qur’an• Step 5:Determine messages and teachings• Step 6:Ask: What does it say to me & for our time?• Step 7: How should I, the Ummah and humanity

respond?

How to Study:

Stage 3: Seeking solutions with a teacher

• Go through Stage 2 with the help of a teacher and revise, correct and modify accordingly.

How to Study :

Stage 4: Preserving your understanding by documentation, your word and your deed

• Write down and preserve in your heart and mind the understanding that you have arrived at.

Methodological Guidelines

• Study meaning of key words• Understand its textual context• Understand the historical background• Seek to clarify its original meaning• Translating to your situation• Beware of far-fetched & irrelevant meanings• Use current human knowledge to aid

understanding• Know your limitations• Remember the Prophet’s life-a mirror of the

Qur’an

Learning Resources

• Study meaning of key words• Understand its textual context• Understand the historical background• Seek to clarify its original meaning• Translating to your situation• Beware of far-fetched & irrelevant meanings• Use current human knowledge to aid

understanding• Know your limitations• Remember the Prophet’s life-a mirror of the

Qur’an

Translations of the Qur’an

The Message of the Qur’an by Muhammad Asad

The Koran Interpreted by Arthur J Arberry

The Meaning of the Glorious Qur’an by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

The Holy Qur’an – Text, translation and Commentary by Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Arabic Grammar and Tafsir in Arabic

• Al-Farid fi’Irab al-Qur’an al-Majid by Husayn ibn Abi Abi al-‘Izz al-Hamadani

• Mujam Qawa’id al-Lughah al-Arabiyyah fi-Jadawil wa Lawhat by Antoine Dahdah

• Safwat al-Bayan li Ma’ani al-Qur’an by Husayn M Makhluf

• Safwat al-Tafsir (3 vols) by Muhammad Ali as-Sabuni

Tafsir in English

• Tafsir Ibn Kathir (entire Qur’an in 10 Volumes)• In the Shade of the Qur’an by Sayyid Qutb (Vol. 1, 2 ,3 & 30 available)• Towards Under standing the Qur’an by Abul Ala Mawdudi (7 volumes available)• The Glorious Qur’an: Text, Translation and Commentary by Abdul Majid Daryabadi• A Thematic Study of the Qur’an by Muhammad Al-Ghazali• The Qur’an and its Interpreters Volume 1 & 2 (covers Surah Faihah and Baqarah) by

Mahmoud M. Ayoub• Tabari’s Commentary of the Qur’an (covers Surah Fatiha and Surah Baqara verses 1-

87) by Al Tabari• Keys to the Qur’an (5 Volumes) by Shaykh F. Haeri• Qur’an and Its Exegesis: Selected Texts with Classical and Modern Muslim

Interpreters by H. Gatje• The Qur’an: Translation and Study (Vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, 30 available) by Jamal bint Rafai• The Opening to the Qur’an: Commentary & Vocabulary Reference of al-Fatiha by

Ahmad Zaki Hammad

Arabic Grammar in English

• Access to Qur’anic Arabic by Abdul Wahid Hamid• Towards Understanding Qur’anic Arabic: A manual for

teaching Arabic through the Qur’an by M. I. H. I. Surty• First Steps in Arabic Grammar by Yasien Mohammed &

Muhammed Haroon• The Arabic Course for English-Speaking Students (originally

taught at Madinah University) by V. Abdul Rahim• Modern Literary Arabic by David Cowan• Grammar of the Arabic Language (2 vols.) by Wright• Linguaphone Arabic Course• Learn the language of the Qur’an by Abdullah Abbas Nadwi• An Easy way to the Understanding of the Qur’an by Hasaruddin

Ahmed

Tajwid (Qur’anic Recitation)

• Tajwid al-Qur’an by Ashraf Abdul-Fattah• A Course in ‘Ilm al-Tajwid: The Science of

Reciting the Qur’an by Muhammad I.H.I. Surty• Qur’an at-Tajwid, CDs, CDs, colour coded,

repetition facility, (Mac & PC), Syria

Learning to read the Qur’an• Easy Steps in Qur’an Reading Series by

AbdulWahid Hamid

Finding Quranic References

• Al Mujam al-Mufahras li alfaz al-Qur’an al-Karim by Muhammad Fuad Abd al-Baqi

• Concordance of the Qur’an by Hanna Kassis

Thematic Study of the Qur’an

• Major Themes in the Qur’an by Fazlur Rahamn • Understanding the Quran: Themes and Styles by Muhammad Abdel

Haleem• Qur’an and Woman by Amina Adul Wadud• Coherence in the Qur’an by Mustansir Mir• Concepts of the Qur’an – A Topical Reading by Fathi Osman• Themes of the Qur’an by Ahmad Sakr• Key to al Baqarah: the longest Surah in the Qur’an by Khurram

Murad• The Qur’an: Basic Teachings by T.B. Irving, Khurshid Ahmad and

Manazir Ahsan• Guide to the Contents of the Qur’an by Faruq Sherif

The Qur’an and Science

• Geological Concept of Mountains in the Qur’an by Z. R. El Naggar

• The Bible, Qur’an and Science by Maurice Baucaille

• The Developing Human, Clinically Oriented Embryology, With Islamic Additions by Keith L Moore

• Haroon Yahya Series of books – Published by Ta Ha, London

General

• Way to the Qur’an by Khurram Murad• The Mind Al-Qur’an Builds by Syed Abdul Latif• Qur’an in the Classroom by Adeleke Dirisu Ajijola• Ulum al-Qur’an by Ahmad von Denffer• The Qur’anic Phenomenon by Malek Bennabi• Freedom and Responsibility in the Qur’anic Perspective by

Hasan Al-‘Anani• Four Basic Qur’anic Terms by Abdul Ala Mawdudi• Qur’anic Foundations and Structure of Muslim Society (2

Volumes) by Fazlur Rahman Ansari• The Jewels of the Qur’an by M. Quasem• A Study of the Qur’an and Its Teachings by Khalid

Mahmood Shaikh

Summary

• Study the Qur’an regularly

• Always renew your niyyah

• Develop a method and pattern of study

• Document your study

• Increase your general reading

• The best way to understand is by practising what Allah requires of us

Your family and the Quran

Select a portion of Quran to read daily

• Establish small, attainable, daily goals. • E.g. Let everyone aim to read two pages

of the Quran daily. The will ensure everyone finishes Quran at least once per year.

Read Quran together every day

• An ideal time is before bed, when everyone is in a calmer mood and food, chores, and homework are out of the way.

• Sit together and recite part of the Quran. It does not have to be the daily target, but just a small portion so everyone is keeping track with each other.

Quran family meeting every week

• Make this a party. • After Iftar or on the weekend, following a

delicious meal in a Muslim restaurant or at home, have everyone share how much of the Quran they have covered.

Come up with a Quran reading chart

• Get younger kids to decorate theirs with stickers, etc. Then hang it up on the fridge or family bulletin board where everyone can see.

• Have one person in charge of keeping track of everyone's progress and noting it on the chart.

• This visual reminder can encourage and make everyone more determined to reach their goals.

Listen to the Quran in the car

• If your family drives together to school and work, use this as an opportunity to listen to the Quran on CD together.

• Rotate the schedule so that on day one, the verses that mom is reciting are listened to, on day two one of the kids' selections are heard, etc.

Everyone to start a Quranic Journal

• This will encourage everyone to not just read the Quran, but to also attempt to understand at least some of what they are reading.

• Encourage family members to share entries if they feel comfortable during the Quran family meetings.

Quran reading corner for family members

• Have each family member choose the place they feel most comfortable to read the Quran daily. It could be the place they normally do their homework, or it could be somewhere not associated with academics.

• Make sure the place is comfortable and pleasant, with enough heat and light. You can also hang up some verses of the Quran drawn in beautiful calligraphy or post the Quran reading chart in the vicinity.

Offer incentives

• These need to be in accordance with the ages and interests of everyone involved. – For kids, this can be a toy or candy. – For teens, permission to use the family car or

a slight increase in their weekly allowance may be helpful.

– For mom and dad, a night out alone together.

The purpose is to make the process enjoyable and to help family members look forward to a short-term reward for their Quran reading.

Help each other memorise too

• Encourage everyone to memorise Quran. • Family members can break up into groups

of two and test each other's memorisation. • The family meeting time can be used to

cover some memorisation.

The Quranic Journal Why to keep it and how to do it

Remember the Quran addresses YOU

• "If the Quran is eternally valid, and if it is

addressing you today, then you must take

every message as something which is totally

and urgently relevant to your life and

concerns, whether it be a value or norm, a

statement or piece of knowledge, a character

or dialogue, a promise or a warning, a

command or a prohibition.”Khurram Murad

What is the Quranic journal?

• Recording of thoughts and ideas during inspired periods when the Ayaat reflect life experiences.

Why keep a Quranic journal?

• Creates reverence for the Qur’an • It can help the words of Allah sink in

• The Quranic journal is about you

Tips on keeping a Quranic journal

• Ask yourself: why am I doing this?– Is it for the sake of Allah?– Is it to make the Quran a living reality for

me?– Is it to learn how to use the Quran as a tool

for guidance in my everyday life?

• If your intention is sincerely all three, you will benefit and learn from the experience and grow as a Muslim.

Remember, this is not a Tafsir

• Your Quranic journal is simply a record of your thoughts.

• Read a translation of the Quran with a good, reliable tafsir.

• The tafsir helps because it gives you much needed background and context to properly understand what the verses of the Quran mean.

Pray for Guidance

• Develop your understanding and practice of the Quran but remember that it is Allah Who guides.

• Regularly ask for His Guidance, Mercy and Forgiveness.

Get a specific notebook for this

• A notebook or e-book is simple and neat. Pages get lost in binders.

• Invest in a notebook with a nice design and a smooth writing pen.

Assign specific times to read Quran

• Learning needs to happen on a regular basis.

• Establishing a schedule is probably the best way for you to really connect with the Quran.

• Just set aside a few minutes at a time when you know you won't be easily distracted.

Endeavour for the correct meaning

• This is where a reputable tafsir will help.

Ask the big question ....

• How does this connect to me and my experiences?

• E.g. Ayaat talking about motherhood may give you lots to think about and ponder if you are pregnant or are about to be a father.

• E.g. Ayaat about parents may help remind you about your special bond and responsibilities to your own if you have been estranged from or are having a difficult time with your mother or father.

Note down your feeling, thoughts

• Honestly look within and ask the relevant questions and record your feelings.

• You can simply start off the process with, "this verse reminds me of when..." or "this verse makes me think of....".

Avoid using names

• Try to avoid using the specific names of people in your journal.

• The point of the journal is to help you understand the Quran and grow as a Muslim.

• If you use names, you risk hurting feelings if your journal is found and read, by accident or not.

Check with scholars & build your knowledge

• Let your Quranic journal writing experience be a starting point to a deeper understanding of the Quran.

• Attend lectures of reliable scholars who often tie the meanings of the Quran to everyday life for Muslims, especially in a contemporary context.

Look back regularly

• Regularly, read old entries and reflect on your progress as a Muslim in implementing the message of the Quran.

• Be conscious of these observations. Remember the Quranic journal is there to help you develop your character as a Muslim.

We have sent down to you a Book in which is a admonition for you.

Will you not then understand? Q21:10