How sad that a Book of Divine Guidance that is meant to provide a blueprint for the living, to live a life of meaning and purpose, in the troubled times we live in now, comes off our book shelves and its velvet covers whenever we have to heal the sick or comfort the dying, or bless the dead. So, this Ramadan let us resolve to break these chains of traditions and read the Qur’an with understanding, in whatever language we choose to read it in, one page a day, for starters – Image Brittanica
Reflections on Qur’an: "Al Kitab"
By Azher Quader
Chicago, IL
Ramadan means different things to different people. For many it is the rigors of fasting . For others it is the joy of feasting each evening with family and friends,. For some it is the reconnection with a neighborhood mosque for taraweeh. For some of course it is the search for spirituality so often obscured during the course of the year when a host of other distractions consume our attention. .
Not surprisingly though within the limitations of all these busy engagements, few of us find little or no time to sit down with the Qur’an and study it to understand its important message, which we are all told is life changing and community building. Hence this humble effort to reflect upon some aspects of this tremendous text which was first revealed in Ramadan and continued to speak to the Prophet (pbuh) for the next twenty-three years of his life.
To be sure , I claim nor possess any special scholarship to teach Qur’an , but like millions around the globe, who read it and are moved by its logic and wisdom to find meaning and purpose in their lives, I believe that the message of the Qur’an is simple and lends itself to anyone who approaches it with an open mind. It certainly claims to be so and our best evidence of it is in its impact upon the desert dwellers of Arabia whose lives were transformed by it 1,400 years ago.
From the start the Qur’an introduces itself as a Kitab or Book of Guidance or Hidaya for ‘all of mankind’, following which they would achieve what is good Hasana in this life and what is good in the Afterlife. It further asserts its Divine origins, and challenges who question its claim, to produce even a single verse that can match its eloquence and wisdom. In addition, it also claims to be a complete way of life with universal principles , Deen which is how it repeatedly describes its directives. Powerfully, on top of all this, it states it has Divine protection from changes or alterations in its script, as had been the case with prior messages sent through previous messengers over the course of time.
The Qur’an never departs from its central promotion of being a guidance and repeatedly encourages us to read and reflect upon it and practice it to witness its beneficial results. It assures us that we need not doubt it for its arguments are beyond doubt, and its outcomes always predictable, leading to the creation of a certain class of people it refers to as believers, Momineen, and the establishment of societies which are peaceful through compassion and secure through justice.
The only requirement that the Qur’an insists upon is that we must read it with understanding and practice it with persistence and trust, Iman and Amal e Saleh, for its beneficial results to become manifest. For far too long however this simple ask and Hidaya of the Qur’an has been disregarded and ignored. Instead from our earliest beginnings the emphasis is on reading without understanding, Nazira and memorization without comprehension, Hifz.
Amazing as it may seem, Qur’an has the singular distinction of being the only Book in the world which is regularly read and memorized by millions of people, verbatum, without a word of it being understood!
Even if we are to recognize the fact that back in the days when it was revealed the only way to justifiably preserve the Qur’an was through the oral tradition, its continuance today with the passion it is pursued with, in spite of all the technological advances available to preserve writings, begs at least the question why this wide promotion and its relevance.
How sad that a Book of Divine Guidance that is meant to provide a blueprint for the living, to live a life of meaning and purpose, in the troubled times we live in now, comes off our book shelves and its velvet covers whenever we have to heal the sick or comfort the dying, or bless the dead.
So, this Ramadan let us resolve to break these chains of traditions and read the Qur’an with understanding, in whatever language we choose to read it in, one page a day, for starters.
We will do our part through Community Builders Council (CBC) and its limited resources to reflect upon the verses of the Book throughout this blessed month and invite others who can devote the time and resources to do the same. Here are a few more suggestions on how best to study the Qur’an for maximizing its benefits.
- Know the language of Arabic through, search engines, dictionaries, etc.
- Know the style- repetitive/ scattered/ untitled
- Know the usage of terms during the time of its revelation.
- Know the current state of knowledge (scientific advances of our time).
- Know that there are laws and commandments which are clear and concrete. Also, metaphysical facts that can only be well explained through similitudes. Do not dwell upon the metaphysical, remain focused upon the obvious, the relatable and the evident.
- Be willing to exercise introspection / reflection, critical thinking, never hesitating to ask questions for something unclear.
- Be willing to approach it free from any preconceived notions (purity of mind’s status) unburdened from the imperatives of any past interpretations.
Here are some verses of the Qur’an that relate to our discussion above, regarding its few claims and directives.
This is the Book, there is no doubt in it, a guidance for the God conscious. Who believe in the Unseen, establish salath, and spend out of what We have provided for them And who believe in what has been sent down to you (Muhammad, pbuh) and what was sent down before you, and are certain of the Hereafter. These depend on guidance from their Lord. These are the successful. 2:2-5 Baqara
(The Qur'an) is a blessed Book which We have sent down unto you, that they may contemplate on its verses and that men of understanding may receive admonition. 38:29. Saad
And this is a blessed Book which We have revealed. So, follow it and be God conscious that you may find His mercy. 6:155 Al Anaam
O you who have faith! Do not approach prayer when you are intoxicated, not until you know what you are saying. 4:43 An Nisaa
He it is Who has revealed unto you (Muhammad, pbuh) the Book wherein are clear revelations - they are the substance of the Book - and others (which are) allegorical. But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking to explain it. None knows its explanation save Allah. And those who are of sound instruction say: We believe therein; the whole is from our Lord; but only men of understanding really heed. 3:7 Al Imraan
Allah has promised such of you as believe and do good work, that He will surely make them to succeed (the present rulers) in the earth even as He caused those before them to succeed (others); and that He will surely establish for them their Deen (faith) which He has approved for them and will give them in exchange safety after their fear. 24:55 An Nur
This day have I perfected your Deen for you and completed My favor unto you and have chosen for you as Deen, al Islam. 5:3 al Maida
Indeed, We have sent down the Reminder, Zikr, and indeed We will preserve it. 15:9 Al Hijr
