Nowadays, we live in a time in which many ideologies exist - a time of confrontations with different misconceptions, challenges and questions that are often witnessed, heard and repeated.
Each one of us in this world, regardless of his/her position, needs something at times to strengthen him, help him stay steadfast and increase his faith and reliance on Allah so he can face strong desires and new challenges as firm as mountains that are unaffected by strong winds or earthquakes. When a person feels lonely, or a problem occurs, when things are bad, when he is about to give up hope on the Mercy of Allah, or when he does wrong; he needs what guides him through such conditions to help him solve the problem, to remind him of the Mercy of Allah and to warn him when he does wrong. Unless a person heads in the right direction with his entire body (his feelings, heart and limbs) towards the Book of Allah, by reading it, contemplating its verses and practicing what it contains, then one cannot hope to be steadfast and strong in his faith. He will not feel secure from being punished. He cannot expect a promise to be fulfilled nor to be mentioned or remembered after his death. The Quran is the pure spring that never depletes, the great treasure that does not diminish from use, rather it only increases. Its repetition and recitation add to its sweetness and encourage one to read from it again.
The Quran is the Word of Allah that cannot be likened to any other words. It is protected from falsehood being entered into it from any direction. It was sent down by The All-Wise, Worthy of all praise, Allah, Glory be to Him, Who took it upon Himself to protect it so no one can add to it or subtract from it. It cannot be increased or decreased. It is written in a Preserved Book (in Arabic: Al Lawh Al Mahfooth). It is easy to learn and is often contemplated, memorized, and recited. Allah Says (what means): “And We have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember, then is there any that will remember?” [Quran 54: 17]
Anyone, young or old, can memorize it even non-Arabic speaking people. It is not burdensome to read or recite repeatedly. Due to its sweetness, no one gets bored listening to Quran. Scholars never have enough pondering over it, educating themselves from it and learning more of its meanings. Neither mankind nor jinn can produce a chapter that resembles it, because it is an eternal miracle and proof. Allah, Glory be to Him, Commanded us to recite it and to reflect upon it. He made it a blessing as well as blessed.
Allah Says (what means): “[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.” [Quran 38: 29]
The Prophet said: "He who recites or reads a letter from the Book of Allah gets a reward and the reward is multiplied by ten. I don't mean ‘Alif Laam Meem’ is a letter, rather, Alif is a letter, laam is a letter and Meem is a letter.” [At-Tirmithi]
Allah gave a certain position to those who memorize and work according to it -- a position that makes one different from other people. The Prophet said: "The best amongst you are those who learn the Quran and teach it to others." [Al-Bukhari]. He also said: "The example of the believer who reads the Quran is like the "Utrujjah" (a type of fruit). It has a nice smell and a sweet taste. The example of the believer who does not read or recite the Quran is like a date, which has no smell but tastes sweet. The example of a hypocrite who reads the Quran is like the Rayhannah, it smells nice but it tastes bitter. The example of the hypocrite who does not read the Quran is like the Hanthalah (colocynth) which does not have any smell and it tastes bitter” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Tranquility and true happiness lie in glorifying the Book of Allah, reading it, resorting to it as a reference and using it as a guidance. Wretchedness lies in turning one's back on the Quran, degrading it and deserting it. Allah Says (what means): “And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind. He will say, "My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing? [ Allah ] will say, "Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten." [Quran 20: 124-126]
The blessed month of Ramadan that we live in these days should remind the believing Muslim Nation of the importance of going back truly and sincerely to the Book of Allah, the great Book that Allah has honored by having revealed it during this month. He, The Almighty, Says (what means): “The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.” [Quran 2: 185]
The best way to spend time during the month of the Quran (Ramadan) is to give increased importance to the Quran by memorizing, reciting, practicing and contemplating it.
Let us look at our best model, the Messenger . Ibn‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that: “The Prophet , was the most generous of people and he used to be more generous during the month of Ramadan, when he used to meet Jibreel (Angel Gabriel) and review the Quran with him. During this time, the Prophet , was faster (in his generosity and bringing good) than a blowing wind”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
We understand from this Hadeeth that it is recommended to review the Quran and study it in the month of Ramadan, even gathering in group sessions to do so. In addition, we can conclude from it that it is recommended to repeatedly recite the Quran during the month of Ramadan.
Many people have the mistaken idea that they should recite the Quran repeatedly during the day of Ramadan and then stop reciting it during the night. Some of the Salaf (righteous predesessors ) used to read the entire Quran in Ramadan every three nights, and some used to do it every seven nights, like Qataadah, may Allah be pleased with him; others used to finish it every ten nights. Ibn Rajab, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "The Salaf used to recite the Quran in the month of Ramadan during prayer and other times; Qataadah used to teach the Quran in the month of Ramadan. Whenever Ramadan started, Az-Zuhri, may Allah have mercy on him, used to say: ‘This is the month of reciting the Quran and giving food’.”
During Ramadan, Allah gives honor and elevates people with the Quran and degrades others as a result of neglecting it. All thanks are due to Allah that the Quran is amongst us and it is very easy to obtain a copy: they are in the mosques, the homes, in the libraries and bookstores. In some of the Muslim countries you can even listen to it on the radio. Having the Quran available is a great bounty of Allah, glory be to Him. Being able to learn His Book, listen to it, and act according to it is another great favor and bounty of Allah, The Most Exalted. The Quran can also be a proven evidence against all of those who neglected it when it was so easily available. Allah Almighty Says (what means): “Say (O Muhammad): ‘What thing is greatest in testimony?’ Say, ‘ Allah is witness between me and you. And this Quran was revealed to me that I may warn you thereby and whomever it reaches…’” [Quran 6: 19]
The Prophet , said: "The Quran is a proof or an evidence for or against you.” [Muslim] So we must fear Allah and pay attention to the Book of Allah, learning it, teaching it, acting according to it and applying it so that we will be among its people.
About the Quran, Allah Almighty Says (what means):“Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward. And that those who do not believe in the Hereafter - We have prepared for them a painful punishment.” [Quran 17: 9-10]