Seeking Closeness to The Quran
"Tomorrow I Will Start!"
Bismillah. I was unsure about what to write this week, so I made a supplication to the Lord of mankind, asking for guidance on a topic. I was inspired to write about seeking closeness to the Quran. In fact, I came across this photo on my phone:
Our lives need the Quran, and neglecting the book of Allah hurts our faith and spirit.
Many of us, myself included, think we can start connecting to the Quran tomorrow, believing we have all the time in the world.
This is a false belief because tomorrow is not promised.
There is no “right time” to begin our journey with the Quran. If we keep postponing it, we will miss out on achieving higher levels in our faith and enjoying many blessings.
One solution to seeking closeness to the Quran and developing a stronger relationship with the book of Allah is to start now and not delay the process.
That is followed by prioritizing the Quran in our lives and being determined to be among the people of the Quran.
In this post, we will share tips, ideas, and insights to help us grow closer to the Quran and strengthen our relationship with Allah.
My Ongoing Journey
After embracing Islam seven years ago, I initially solemnly relied on English translations of the Quran. While this felt comfortable, I realized I wasn’t challenging myself.
To enhance my connection with the Quran, I enrolled in an online Nooraniyah class (highly recommend) to learn the fundamentals of recitation.
Later, after moving to NY, I joined a weekly Quran and Arabic class at my local masjid.
Although discouraged, and frustrated at times, I experienced a breakthrough during Ramadan last year when I was finally able to recite fluently, a moment that was deeply emotional for me.
This transformation was possible through my supplications, the tawfiq (opportunities) Allah provided, and my commitment to taking action; I was able to commit only because of His support.
What once seemed impossible and a dream became possible through the mercy of Allah. This reflects my journey with the hijab and niqab as well.
This is a reminder that nothing is impossible, we have ALLAH by our side.
I often reflect on the effort we put into our academic and professional lives and question why we wouldn’t apply the same dedication to mastering the Quran? We know our purpose on this earth is to worship Allah, so we are working backwards.
It’s important to understand that when we believe it’s impossible to learn how to recite the Quran as it was revealed, memorize it, or be close to it, we limit ourselves.
Our mindset matters, and Allah has promised to make this journey easy for us:
Recently, I noticed that I was not engaging with the Quran as much as I used to, which left me feeling as if something was missing in my life, but at first, I couldn’t tell this void was coming from being disconnected from the Quran.
My efforts to connect with the Quran were both minimal and irregular. I realized that many Muslims face a similar disconnection, and we need to address this by returning to the Quran and encouraging others to do the same.
I felt inspired to reconnect with the Quran after choosing to no longer ignore the discomfort I experienced from distancing myself from it.
My motivation intensified when I observed a friend who left her career to focus on becoming a Hafidha of the Quran—Allahumma Barik.
While that path wasn’t feasible for me, I realized I could still take meaningful steps that are within my reach.
My life is very different when I am actively involved with the Quran compared to when I am not. I believe that being connected to the Quran helps me feel more content as well.
Ignoring the Quran is a disservice to ourselves and we are the ones who suffer the most from this neglect.
Life without Closeness to the Quran
Allah ﷻ informed us in the Quran, that the Quran is a :
Guidance
Mercy
Healing
Light
Clarification
So, consider and reflect on how much we are missing out on when we are not connected to the Quran.
Why the Disconnect?
I will share a few reasons we may not be as close as we would want to the Quran:
- Busy Lifestyles: Juggling work, chores, family, and social commitments can make it hard to find time for Quran study. Some may feel overwhelmed and neglect it.
What is amazing is that spending time with the Quran puts more blessings into our time.
Remember, Allah controls time, and we never lose when we do something for His sake. We need to get over the loss mindset.
- Lack of Understanding:
Some people may disconnect from the Quran because they struggle to understand the Arabic text or find the English translations lacking.
Learning the tafsir (interpretation) of the verses we read—whether by attending online classes or finding reliable resources online—can help us connect more deeply with the verses.
This deeper understanding may further motivates us on our Quran journey. Personally, I find that learning the tafsir makes it easier for me to connect with the ayah and to memorize it.
- Inconsistent Habit Formation:
Without incorporating the Quran into our daily routine, we may find it easier to let days or weeks pass without engaging with the Quran.
- Distraction and Procrastination:
We are spending too much time on distractions like social media and other forms of entertainment. This can lead to procrastination in developing ourselves with the Quran.
We may find ourselves choosing immediate pleasures instead of focusing on our spiritual growth.
Gaining awareness on why we neglect the Quran can help us address our personal challenges.
This awareness can lead us to become more consistent in our engagement with the Quran.
Tips and Advice:
Here are 10 tips for those seeking closeness to the Quran:
1. Set Intention –
We must set clear intentions for our journey with the Quran, seeking Allah’s pleasure, closeness to Him, and growth in our faith.
Our sincere intentions will facilitate the rest of the journey, inshaAllah.
It’s essential to continuously renew our intentions and ask Allah to purify our intentions.
I want to return to Allah knowing I genuinely made an effort to understand, memorize, and master His book.
2. Determination and Invoking the Help of Allah –
Make the decision now to want to get closer to the Quran, whatever that looks like for you.
Make a personal plan and commit to taking action. None of this can take place without the help of Allah.
We can aim to regularly ask Allah to help us love, follow, and make the Quran our closest companion.
3. Surround your life with The Quran –
Surround your life with the Quran by making it a habit to listen to it regularly. Whether you’re driving, cooking, or cleaning, enjoy beautiful recitations of the Quran.
This practice can create a spiritual atmosphere that deepens our connection to the words of Allah and may also aid us in memorization.
Additionally, it can motivate us to enhance our recitation and understanding of the Quran.
The reciters I’m currently listening to on repeat are Saad Ezzaouit, Abdullah Mustafa, and Muhammad Al-Luhaidan. May Allah bless them.
4. Habit Building –
Try to set specific times each day for reading, memorizing, reviewing, and reflecting on the Quran.
Even if you can’t stick to a specific time, consider blocking a specific amount of time each day.
Consistency is what builds habit. Imagine how transformative it would be if we viewed spending time with the Quran as essential as eating every day!
If you miss a day, don’t be discouraged; simply recommit and continue.
5. Seek Inspiration –
Hearing about others’ journeys with the Quran can be incredibly motivating and may help keep us accountable.
Click here for one of my favorite YouTube channels, which has been profound in my Quran journey.
6. Find a Qualified Teacher –
Find a knowledgeable teacher who can guide you on your Quran journey. Having a teacher is essential, and I would not be where I am today without the support of each teacher I’ve encountered on my journey. Alhamdulilah, may Allah reward them.
A teacher can provide personalized feedback, motivate you, and help to keep you accountable.
Consider local mosques or online platforms that offer Quran tutoring.
7. Sign up for Quran Classes –
You can sign up for local or online classes. Here are the online programs I am aware of:
Engaging with the Quran is a rewarding experience. Taking classes can enhance this journey and make it something to look forward to.
8. Educate Yourself –
Learning about the countless benefits of connecting with the Quran can be a strong motivator for deepening our relationship with it.
Understanding the value we gain from the Quran can help us prioritize it in our lives.
9. Beware of the tricks of the Shaytan –
The Shaytan (Satan) seeks to distract and deter us from activities that can elevate our faith and connection to Allah, including our engagement with the Quran.
10. Surround Yourself with Support –
Share your goals with loved ones who will support you in your Quran journey.
Connecting with others who share your desire in seeking closeness to the Quran can provide motivation and encouragement as well.
You can start a conversation with your friends and form study groups. You can also make Quran buddies at the masjid.
Befriending the Quran
Prioritizing the Quran in our lives requires immense patience, intention, determination, and a structured approach.
By incorporating the Quran into our daily routines, we will experience more blessings and a greater consciousness of Allah (taqwa).
I have always struggled to maintain consistent dhikr. SubhanAllah, I have noticed that my efforts to grow closer to the Quran soften my heart and make it easier for me to engage in dhikr.
The benefits are countless if we are sincere to Allah. Our faith and lives become weakened in the absence of the Quran.
Remember, the more time you dedicate to the Quran, the more it gives back to you.
I pray that Allah makes us among the people of the Quran and transforms us through it, just as He shaped our beloved Prophet ﷺ.
Recommended Reading:
What is one goal you have regarding the Quran, and who are your favorite reciters?
Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
AISSATA
As SalamuAleikum, besides having a daily and consistent relationship with the Quran, one goal one goal of mine is to understanding it without relying on translations.
JazakAllah Khairan for this beautiful topic and reminder 🩷
Umm Souleymane
Assalamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh yaa ukhtaa. Jazaaki Allahu khairan for this post on the most important subject. Allahumma baarik.
You got me – and certainly many others – with this:
“I often reflect on the effort we put into our academic and professional lives and question why we wouldn’t apply the same dedication to mastering the Quran? We know our purpose on this earth is to worship Allah, so we are working backwards.”
This is so telling about what we truly prioritize! May Allah have mercy on is and guide us.
I find that I can focus on my Qur’an reading either early in the morning – before I start my day – or late at night, after a busy day. Sometimes both. For commuters, that’s also another time that could be leveraged. However I sometimes find myself distracted on certain days based on traffic patterns. The bottom line is: find the time that works for you to dedicate to the Qur’an daily – you will not regret it if you set the right intentions. And as the sister mentioned in the blog, it is pure Baraqah and you’ll find yourself doing more during the day that you could when disconnected from the Book of Allah.
May Allah grant us sincerity and make this endeavor easy for us. Aameen.