Discover Qur'an this Ramadan

Foundational understanding

Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was sent down : this Book is a perfect guidance for mankind and consists of clear teachings which show the right way and are a criterion of Truth and falsehood. [2:185 (Maududi)]

The Question arises here is that Prophet was getting revelation in the time span of 23 years then how the Qur'an is revealed all at once in the month of Ramadan?

The Quran was sent down from al-Lawh al-Mahfooz (the Preserved Tablet) to the first heaven on Laylat al-Qadr (the night of the Decree) all at once in the month of Ramadan, then after that it was sent down in stages over twenty-three years. 

“Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree).” [97:1]

Ibn Katheer said:

Al-Lawh al-Mahfooz (the Preserved Tablet) means, It is among the higher group (i.e., angels), preserved and protected from anything being added or taken away, or any alteration or changes.

And those who disbelieve say: Why is not the Quran revealed to him all at once? Thus (it is sent down in parts), that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it to you gradually, in stages.” [25:32]. 

Shaykh ‘Abd ar-Rahman as-S’adi said: That is because every time something of the Quran was revealed to him, it increased him in certainty and steadfastness, especially when there was cause for anxiety. The fact that the Quran was revealed when new developments occurred meant that it had greater impact and was more reassuring to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). And that was more effective than if it had been revealed before that, then was remembered when the new developments occurred.  

And (it is) a Quran which We have divided (into parts), in order that you might recite it to men at intervals. And We have revealed it by stages.” [17:106].

Contemporary  Scenario

What comes to your mind when you think or hear about Ramadan?

Fasting , Praying Taraweeh , Iftaari , shopping for Eid etc.

But when Allah talks about the month of Ramadan he wants us to think about Qur'an. No doubt we read Qur'an mostly in Ramadan but does that serve the purpose? Allah is asking not to think Ramadan as a month of fasting but as of month in which Qur'an was revealed. And then Allah continues to show us the higher purpose of Qur'an, i.e. he made Qur'an 'Hudallinaas' guidance for 'Mankind' not just guidance for 'Muslims'. 

Then Allah goes on to clarify that why it is guidance for mankind because he has made it Furquan a distinguisher between right and wrong.

The agony of time is that Muslims are almost 2 Billion making more than 24 percent of world population but are the most humiliated and oppressed despite the fact that they have "Furquan". In the time of Prophet the followers of this book were less than a million but they managed to overturn the superpowers of their time. Their secret was that the completely adhered to the teachings of this book and their Prophet at all times.

But now we don't cast a second look to Qur'an after Ramadan as if it was some magic spells which boosted our scales of good deeds only during Ramadan.

Suppose I am given a book, "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill which is in English language. I know how to read English but do not understand a single word of it. Would I ever be able to draw motivation or any lesson from the above mentioned book?

Likewise when we read Qur'an in Arabic without any understanding , then how on earth can we expect guidance and how do we know what the author of Qur'an is trying to communicate to us.

The greatest disservice we do towards the Qur'an is that we think we are doing  a great deed reading it without any understanding. It's like a student coming daily to school having 100 percent attendance but does not pay any attention to the lectures and what is being taught. Will he ever be able to learn anything and pass his examination? 

It is no where being denied that reciting the Qur'an in Arabic is a great deed. It is a mean not end. The end is reading it with understanding its meaning and implementing it in real life. Then only we will come to know that we are not reading the Qur'an but in actuality it is the Qur'an that is reading us.

Now, if you've read this entire blog then you must be knowing the English language very well. Years afters years you've wasted Ramadan and belittled the purpose of Qur'an and just made it a book of reading without understanding even a letter. You must have read many novellas but if not read at least the translation of Qur'an in the language which you know best then beware about the complain of the Prophet. (refer Qur'an 25:30)  If his intercession can pave the path for Paradise then his complain can lead to the abyss of Hell. So the deal is that you start reading at least the translation of Qur'an this Ramadan. Who knows you and I would be alive to see next Ramadan.

Therefore, this Ramadan give the Qur'an its due not just by reciting it in Arabic but reading its translation in whatever language you understand better.

Allah says:

And We have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember, then is there any that will remember (or receive admonition)? [54:17]

Respond to his call.

Following are some good translations for English readers:

The Clear Quran by Dr. Mustafa Khattab

Saheeh International  translation

The Qur’an: A New Translation by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

The Noble Qur’an by Muhammad Muhsin Khan and Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali

The Holy Qur’an  by Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The Message of the Qur’an by Muhammad Asad 

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