Quran is the Focus During Ramadan

Most people (including Muslims) unfortunately associate Ramadan only with fasting. As we explained in a previous post, while the tangible aspect of Ramadan is clearly abstaining from food and drink, the real (spiritual) purpose and focus for us during this month should be our increased connectedness to Allah.

But just how do we increase our connectedness to Allah?

“The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion…” (Qur’an, 2:185)

The verse above from the Quran shows clearly how we can increase our connectedness to Allah. We have to turn to the Quran.

The interesting thing to note about this ayah (verse) here is that Allah (swt) at the mention of Ramadan didn’t talk about fasting first. When we think about Ramadan, what comes to our mind immediately? Usually, our first thought is fasting right? But we find that Allah instead couples Ramadan firstly with the Qur’an as if to say that Ramadan’s first and foremost role in our lives should be to increase our relationship with the Qur’an and only then does He follow it with the command to fast in the month. The goal of fasting is taqwa, but what actually allows us to establish taqwa in our lives if not the Qur’an? So the logical step for us is that we need to try and prepare ourselves towards establishing a relationship with the Book of Allah. As mentioned earlier, fasting trains us to empty our hearts from desires and aspires towards a loftier goal and that goal can only be achieved with the soul food that the Qur’an provides.

Source: http://www.suhaibwebb.com/personaldvlpt/worship/fasting-ramadan/ramadan-the-quran-and-us/

Getting the "Soul Food" that the Quran Provides

1) So take your Quran out today, if you haven't already. Tune out all the distractions, and spend some time studying and reading the Quran.

2) Make a goal to study, understand and memorize a surah in the Quran this Ramadan, pick a short surah, if you are doing this for the first time.

3) Perform the taraweeh prayers, where the Quran is recited.

4) If you are unable to attend nightly taraweeh communal prayers, then attempt to do the taraweeh prayers by yourself at home. You can follow the lead of imams in Mecca or Medina via online video resources such as at http://ramadanvideos.blogspot.com/. Just choose the video for the night you are looking for, (videos usually runs for about 1.5 - 2 hours for each nightly prayer) and follow the lead.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “…the Qur’an is either an argument for you or against you.”(Muslim)

Imam an-Nawawi states in regard to the meaning of the above hadith: “[It means] that you will benefit from it if you recite it and act by it, otherwise it will be an argument against you.” This means that on the Day of Judgement, the Qur’an will be a proof or a testament against those who disobeyed Allah (swt) and did not follow the path He outlined in His Holy Book.