The Journey of Life

The Journey of Life

• The Journey of Life

• Basic prerequisites

• Participation of the inner self

• Rules of reading

• Quranic Knowledge – 7Ts

• How to study the Qur’an

• Your family and the Qur’an

• The Qur’an Journal

• Faith: The Word of God

• Purity of Intention and Purpose

• Bringing Gratitude and Praise

• Acceptance and Trust

• Obedience and Change

• Hazards and Obstacles

• Trust and Dependence

The Quran and the Heart

• The Quran and the Heart

• Dynamics of inner participation

• Conversation in Allah's Presence

• Trusting and Expecting Allah's Rewards

• Acts of Heart and Body

• Reading with Tartil

• Self Purifcation Reading with Comprehension

How Often to Read?

• How Often to Read?

• How Much to Read?

• When to Read?

• Reading Correctly

• Reading Beautifully

• Listening Attentively

• Completing the Reading (Khatm)

• Memorizing

Tajwid

• Tajwid

• Tartil

• Tahfiz

• Tarjumah

• Ta’allum al-lugha

• Tafsir

• Tadabbur

The Big Issue

• The Big Issue

• Personal Study

• Categories of Understanding

• Levels of Understanding

• Basic Requirements

• Aids for Study

• Technique for Study

• Methodological Guidelines

• Qur’anic Educational Resources

Do we have understand the Qur’an ‘on our own’?

• Do we have understand the Qur’an ‘on our own’?

• Can we not just listen to the ‘learned’?

• Can we not be misguided?

• ‘Whoever interprets the Qur’an by his own opinion shall take his place in Hell? (Tirmidhi).

Tadhakkur

• Tadhakkur

• Entails receiving admonition, deriving advice, remembering, taking to heart
• Requires no sophisticated tools and available to every sincere inquirer

Tadabbur

• Tadabbur

• Entails understanding full meaning of every word, exploring fuller meanings, metaphors and parables, lexical intricacies, historical background, comparative study of different tafsir

Level I: Comprehend simple, literal meaning

• Level I: Comprehend simple, literal meaning

• Level 2: Understanding how the learned have understood it

• Level 3: Tadhakkur and Tadabbur

• Level 4: Discover meanings by obeying its messages, fulfilling its duties and mission

Arabic

• Arabic

• Reading the whole Qur’an

• Reading Tafsir Works

• Study of selected portions

• Reading again and again

• Inquiring Mind

Personal copy of the Qur’an

• Personal copy of the Qur’an

• Qur’an with a translation and reliable short commentary

• Acquire multiple translations.

• Advanced study – Get a detailed tafsir

• Get a good Arabic dictionary

• Get a concordance

Step 1: Renewal of your niyyah

• Step 1: Renewal of your niyyah

• Step 2:Read, comprehending meaning x3

• Step 3:Write down major themes

• Step 4:Write down the central theme

• Step 5:Sub-divide into shorter portions which convey one single message

• Step 6:Underling key words and phrases

• Step 7: Ask questions about the passage

Step 1:Find meaning of important words

• Step 1:Find meaning of important words

• Step 2:Find meaning of phrases & statements

• Step 3:Ponder on unity and cohesion of the ayat

• Step 4: seek meaning of each phrase within context of passage, surah and entire Qur’an

• Step 5:Determine messages and teachings

• Step 6:Ask: What does it say to me & for our time?

• Step 7: How should I, the Ummah and humanity respond?

Go through Stage 2 with the help of a teacher and revise, correct and modify accordingly.

• Go through Stage 2 with the help of a teacher and revise, correct and modify accordingly.

Write down and preserve in your heart and mind the understanding that you have arrived at.

• Write down and preserve in your heart and mind the understanding that you have arrived at.

Study meaning of key words

• Study meaning of key words

• Understand its textual context

• Understand the historical background

• Seek to clarify its original meaning

• Translating to your situation

• Beware of far-fetched & irrelevant meanings

• Use current human knowledge to aid understanding

• Know your limitations

• Remember the Prophet’s life-a mirror of the Qur’an

Study meaning of key words

• Study meaning of key words

• Understand its textual context

• Understand the historical background

• Seek to clarify its original meaning

• Translating to your situation

• Beware of far-fetched & irrelevant meanings

• Use current human knowledge to aid understanding

• Know your limitations

• Remember the Prophet’s life-a mirror of the Qur’an

The Message of the Qur’an by Muhammad Asad

• The Message of the Qur’an by Muhammad Asad

• The Koran Interpreted by Arthur J Arberry

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

• The Holy Qur’an – Text, translation and Commentary by Abdullah Yusuf Ali

• Al-Farid fi’Irab al-Qur’an al-Majid by Husayn ibn Abi Abi al-‘Izz al-Hamadani

• Mujam Qawa’id al-Lughah al-Arabiyyah fi-Jadawil wa Lawhat by Antoine Dahdah

• Safwat al-Bayan li Ma’ani al-Qur’an by Husayn M Makhluf

• Safwat al-Tafsir (3 vols) by Muhammad Ali as-Sabuni

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (entire Qur’an in 10 Volumes)

• Tafsir Ibn Kathir (entire Qur’an in 10 Volumes)

• In the Shade of the Qur’an by Sayyid Qutb (Vol. 1, 2 ,3 & 30 available)

• Towards Under standing the Qur’an by Abul Ala Mawdudi (7 volumes available)

• The Glorious Qur’an: Text, Translation and Commentary by Abdul Majid Daryabadi

• A Thematic Study of the Qur’an by Muhammad Al-Ghazali

• The Qur’an and its Interpreters Volume 1 & 2 (covers Surah Faihah and Baqarah) by Mahmoud M. Ayoub

• Tabari’s Commentary of the Qur’an (covers Surah Fatiha and Surah Baqara verses 1-87) by Al Tabari

• Keys to the Qur’an (5 Volumes) by Shaykh F. Haeri

• Qur’an and Its Exegesis: Selected Texts with Classical and Modern Muslim Interpreters by H. Gatje

• The Qur’an: Translation and Study (Vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, 30 available) by Jamal bint Rafai

• The Opening to the Qur’an: Commentary & Vocabulary Reference of al-Fatiha by Ahmad Zaki Hammad

Access to Qur’anic Arabic by Abdul Wahid Hamid

• Access to Qur’anic Arabic by Abdul Wahid Hamid

• Towards Understanding Qur’anic Arabic: A manual for teaching Arabic through the Qur’an by M. I. H. I. Surty

• First Steps in Arabic Grammar by Yasien Mohammed & Muhammed Haroon

• The Arabic Course for English-Speaking Students (originally taught at Madinah University) by V. Abdul Rahim

• Modern Literary Arabic by David Cowan

• Grammar of the Arabic Language (2 vols.) by Wright

• Linguaphone Arabic Course

• Learn the language of the Qur’an by Abdullah Abbas Nadwi

• An Easy way to the Understanding of the Qur’an by Hasaruddin Ahmed

Tajwid al-Qur’an by Ashraf Abdul-Fattah

• Tajwid al-Qur’an by Ashraf Abdul-Fattah

• A Course in ‘Ilm al-Tajwid: The Science of Reciting the Qur’an by Muhammad I.H.I. Surty

• Qur’an at-Tajwid, CDs, CDs, colour coded, repetition facility, (Mac & PC), Syria

• Learning to read the Qur’an

• Easy Steps in Qur’an Reading Series by AbdulWahid Hamid

Al Mujam al-Mufahras li alfaz al-Qur’an al-Karim by Muhammad Fuad Abd al-Baqi

• Al Mujam al-Mufahras li alfaz al-Qur’an al-Karim by Muhammad Fuad Abd al-Baqi

• Concordance of the Qur’an by Hanna Kassis

Major Themes in the Qur’an by Fazlur Rahamn

• Major Themes in the Qur’an by Fazlur Rahamn

• Understanding the Quran: Themes and Styles by Muhammad Abdel Haleem

• Qur’an and Woman by Amina Adul Wadud

• Coherence in the Qur’an by Mustansir Mir

• Concepts of the Qur’an – A Topical Reading by Fathi Osman

• Themes of the Qur’an by Ahmad Sakr

• Key to al Baqarah: the longest Surah in the Qur’an by Khurram Murad

• The Qur’an: Basic Teachings by T.B. Irving, Khurshid Ahmad and Manazir Ahsan

• Guide to the Contents of the Qur’an by Faruq Sherif

Geological Concept of Mountains in the Qur’an by Z. R. El Naggar

• Geological Concept of Mountains in the Qur’an by Z. R. El Naggar

• The Bible, Qur’an and Science by Maurice Baucaille

• The Developing Human, Clinically Oriented Embryology, With Islamic Additions by Keith L Moore

• Haroon Yahya Series of books – Published by Ta Ha, London

Way to the Qur’an by Khurram Murad

• Way to the Qur’an by Khurram Murad

• The Mind Al-Qur’an Builds by Syed Abdul Latif

• Qur’an in the Classroom by Adeleke Dirisu Ajijola

• Ulum al-Qur’an by Ahmad von Denffer

• The Qur’anic Phenomenon by Malek Bennabi

• Freedom and Responsibility in the Qur’anic Perspective by Hasan Al-‘Anani

• Four Basic Qur’anic Terms by Abdul Ala Mawdudi

• Qur’anic Foundations and Structure of Muslim Society (2 Volumes) by Fazlur Rahman Ansari

• The Jewels of the Qur’an by M. Quasem

• A Study of the Qur’an and Its Teachings by Khalid Mahmood Shaikh

Study the Qur’an regularly

• Study the Qur’an regularly

• Always renew your niyyah

• Develop a method and pattern of study

• Document your study

• Increase your general reading

• The best way to understand is by practising what Allah requires of us

Establish small, attainable, daily goals.

• Establish small, attainable, daily goals.

• E.g. Let everyone aim to read two pages of the Quran daily. The will ensure everyone finishes Quran at least once per year.

An ideal time is before bed, when everyone is in a calmer mood and food, chores, and homework are out of the way.

• An ideal time is before bed, when everyone is in a calmer mood and food, chores, and homework are out of the way.

• Sit together and recite part of the Quran. It does not have to be the daily target, but just a small portion so everyone is keeping track with each other.

Make this a party.

• Make this a party.

• After Iftar or on the weekend, following a delicious meal in a Muslim restaurant or at home, have everyone share how much of the Quran they have covered.

Get younger kids to decorate theirs with stickers, etc. Then hang it up on the fridge or family bulletin board where everyone can see.

• Get younger kids to decorate theirs with stickers, etc. Then hang it up on the fridge or family bulletin board where everyone can see.

• Have one person in charge of keeping track of everyone's progress and noting it on the chart.

• This visual reminder can encourage and make everyone more determined to reach their goals.

If your family drives together to school and work, use this as an opportunity to listen to the Quran on CD together.

• If your family drives together to school and work, use this as an opportunity to listen to the Quran on CD together.

• Rotate the schedule so that on day one, the verses that mom is reciting are listened to, on day two one of the kids' selections are heard, etc.

This will encourage everyone to not just read the Quran, but to also attempt to understand at least some of what they are reading.

• This will encourage everyone to not just read the Quran, but to also attempt to understand at least some of what they are reading.

• Encourage family members to share entries if they feel comfortable during the Quran family meetings.

Have each family member choose the place they feel most comfortable to read the Quran daily. It could be the place they normally do their homework, or it could be somewhere not associated with academics.

• Have each family member choose the place they feel most comfortable to read the Quran daily. It could be the place they normally do their homework, or it could be somewhere not associated with academics.

• Make sure the place is comfortable and pleasant, with enough heat and light. You can also hang up some verses of the Quran drawn in beautiful calligraphy or post the Quran reading chart in the vicinity.

These need to be in accordance with the ages and interests of everyone involved.

• These need to be in accordance with the ages and interests of everyone involved.

• For kids, this can be a toy or candy.
• For teens, permission to use the family car or a slight increase in their weekly allowance may be helpful.
• For mom and dad, a night out alone together.
• The purpose is to make the process enjoyable and to help family members look forward to a short-term reward for their Quran reading.

Encourage everyone to memorise Quran.

• Encourage everyone to memorise Quran.

• Family members can break up into groups of two and test each other's memorisation.

• The family meeting time can be used to cover some memorisation.

"If the Quran is eternally valid, and if it is addressing you today, then you must take every message as something which is totally and urgently relevant to your life and concerns, whether it be a value or norm, a statement or piece of knowledge, a character or dialogue, a promise or a warning, a command or a prohibition.”

• "If the Quran is eternally valid, and if it is addressing you today, then you must take every message as something which is totally and urgently relevant to your life and concerns, whether it be a value or norm, a statement or piece of knowledge, a character or dialogue, a promise or a warning, a command or a prohibition.”

• Khurram Murad

Recording of thoughts and ideas during inspired periods when the Ayaat reflect life experiences.

• Recording of thoughts and ideas during inspired periods when the Ayaat reflect life experiences.

Creates reverence for the Qur’an

• Creates reverence for the Qur’an

• It can help the words of Allah sink in

• The Quranic journal is about you

Ask yourself: why am I doing this?

• Ask yourself: why am I doing this?

• Is it for the sake of Allah?
• Is it to make the Quran a living reality for me?
• Is it to learn how to use the Quran as a tool for guidance in my everyday life?

• If your intention is sincerely all three, you will benefit and learn from the experience and grow as a Muslim.

Your Quranic journal is simply a record of your thoughts.

• Your Quranic journal is simply a record of your thoughts.

• Read a translation of the Quran with a good, reliable tafsir.

• The tafsir helps because it gives you much needed background and context to properly understand what the verses of the Quran mean.

Develop your understanding and practice of the Quran but remember that it is Allah Who guides.

• Develop your understanding and practice of the Quran but remember that it is Allah Who guides.

• Regularly ask for His Guidance, Mercy and Forgiveness.

A notebook or e-book is simple and neat. Pages get lost in binders.

• A notebook or e-book is simple and neat. Pages get lost in binders.

• Invest in a notebook with a nice design and a smooth writing pen.

Learning needs to happen on a regular basis.

• Learning needs to happen on a regular basis.

• Establishing a schedule is probably the best way for you to really connect with the Quran.

• Just set aside a few minutes at a time when you know you won't be easily distracted.

This is where a reputable tafsir will help.

• This is where a reputable tafsir will help.

How does this connect to me and my experiences?

• How does this connect to me and my experiences?

• E.g. Ayaat talking about motherhood may give you lots to think about and ponder if you are pregnant or are about to be a father.

• E.g. Ayaat about parents may help remind you about your special bond and responsibilities to your own if you have been estranged from or are having a difficult time with your mother or father.

Honestly look within and ask the relevant questions and record your feelings.

• Honestly look within and ask the relevant questions and record your feelings.

• You can simply start off the process with, "this verse reminds me of when..." or "this verse makes me think of....".

Try to avoid using the specific names of people in your journal.

• Try to avoid using the specific names of people in your journal.

• The point of the journal is to help you understand the Quran and grow as a Muslim.

• If you use names, you risk hurting feelings if your journal is found and read, by accident or not.

Let your Quranic journal writing experience be a starting point to a deeper understanding of the Quran.

• Let your Quranic journal writing experience be a starting point to a deeper understanding of the Quran.

• Attend lectures of reliable scholars who often tie the meanings of the Quran to everyday life for Muslims, especially in a contemporary context.

Regularly, read old entries and reflect on your progress as a Muslim in implementing the message of the Quran.

• Regularly, read old entries and reflect on your progress as a Muslim in implementing the message of the Quran.

• Be conscious of these observations. Remember the Quranic journal is there to help you develop your character as a Muslim.