Posts in category: General Topics

Introduction

The Qur’an is the miraculous Book of God, through which He has guided the hearts of mankind since its revelation. Its light continues to shine for those who seek truth and guidance. Stories of those who have embraced Islam through the Qur’an highlight the greatness of this book in transforming hearts and illuminating minds. The Qur’an is not just a religious text, but a source of life and divine law for all of humanity. If you are seeking tranquility and light in your life, seeking guidance through the Qur’an is the best way to achieve that. In this article, learn how holding fast to the Qur’an can change your life.

The Impact of the Qur’an on the Lives of the Guided

The Impact of the Qur’an on the Companions and Followers

Anyone who reads about those guided by the Qur’an can grasp the secret of this Divine Book, whose miracles never cease. The famous caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab – may God be pleased with him – converted to Islam upon hearing the opening verses of Surah Ta-Ha. These verses softened his heart and changed the course of his life. Umar was not the only one influenced by the Qur’an; many of the other companions, especially before the migration, were similarly touched. The words of the Qur’an illuminated their minds and led them to a purer, more righteous life.

The noble companion, Mus’ab ibn Umayr, was a young man living a life of luxury in Mecca, but when he heard the Qur’an, his life was transformed drastically. He abandoned his life of luxury and sought to spread Islam. Such stories reflect the power of the Qur’an in shaping the Muslim character and changing the trajectory of one’s life.

The Impact of the Qur’an on Non-Arabs

The Qur’an’s influence was not limited to the Arabs alone. God mentions in His Book the impact the Qur’an had on the Negus and his people when they heard it, as God says: “And when they heard what was revealed to the Messenger, you saw their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they recognized of the truth” [Surah Al-Ma’idah: 83]. This verse demonstrates that the impact of the Qur’an transcends cultures and touches the hearts of anyone who opens their heart to it. Among these is the French orientalist Étienne Dinet, who embraced Islam after realizing the greatness of this book, which translations failed to fully convey.

Another example is the Canadian scholar, Gary Miller, who initially tried to prove that the Qur’an was a human book. However, after discovering its scientific and legislative miracles, he ultimately embraced Islam. These stories further confirm that the Qur’an is not just a religious text but a comprehensive guide for life capable of transforming individuals in multiple ways.

How to Seek Guidance from the Qur’an

Learning Faith Before the Qur’an

Learning faith is the first step towards seeking guidance from the Qur’an. The companion, Jundub ibn Abdullah – may God be pleased with him – narrated: “We were with the Prophet – peace be upon him – when we were young, and we learned faith before we learned the Qur’an.” This means that faith-building training prepares the heart to understand the meanings of the Qur’an more deeply.

A person can start by learning the names and attributes of God to better understand the Creator who revealed this great book. Deep understanding of God will make every verse you read resonate with your heart, and help you internalize its wisdom.

Reading the Qur’an with the Intention of Guidance

One common mistake is to treat the Qur’an as though it were a book of charms or academic textbooks. On the contrary, we should see it as a book of life and guidance. Reading the Qur’an with reflection means pausing at each verse as we would at a traffic signal; each verse carries a special message worth contemplation and application.

Interacting with the Qur’an should not be a superficial task; it requires an in-depth process where you understand the historical and spiritual context of the verses. By placing yourself in the shoes of those to whom the verses were revealed, you gain a better understanding of how to apply them in your personal life. Focused reading opens the doors of understanding, and you can even read the tafsir alongside your daily Qur’an reading. You can also make notes on your thoughts and reflections after reading each chapter.

Reading the Qur’an in a Specific Order

There are several ways to organize reading the Qur’an, but it is helpful to commit to reading it regularly. If you are a beginner, you may start by reading a certain number of verses or even one part (juz’) daily. Over time, you will feel profound changes in your life and a growing strength of faith and stability on the straight path.

You can also join Qur’an memorization circles that combine both memorization and interpretation. Combining memorization with understanding strengthens the meanings in the heart.

Ways to Reflect on the Qur’an

Reflecting on the Verses and Applying Them in Daily Life

Reflection means extracting the deep meanings of the verses and applying them to our reality. Contemplate how God speaks to you in His Book and ask questions about every social phenomenon you encounter. This reflection opens new horizons to understanding life through the Qur’an, and makes the verses more relevant in your daily life. You can revisit your mental state in light of Qur’anic verses about patience, optimism, and peace of mind.

For example, when you read the verse: “Indeed, with hardship comes ease” [Surah Ash-Sharh: 6], reflect on how this promise is repeated in your daily life. Let this verse be an inspiration for patience and steadfastness in the face of challenges, knowing that God will never leave you alone during difficult times.

Practical Steps for Reflecting on the Qur’an

1. Read the full Surah to understand its context: Don’t just read the verse, but the entire Surah to understand the general meaning.
2. Pause at each verse to grasp its meanings: Engage with the verses and look for their deeper significance.
3. Search for practical applications for each verse: Try to apply the meanings of the verses in your daily life.
4. Pray for God to open your heart to understanding the meanings of the Qur’an: Ask God to bless you with deeper insight into His Book.

Daily Commitment to the Qur’an

Accompanying the Qur’an daily brings tranquility and healing from the disturbances of life. Set aside daily time to read at least a few verses with reflection on their meanings, and you will find your heart brightening and your faith growing stronger. The practice of contemplating God’s words and living by them enhances your inner stability, and you will feel that your life is filled with peace.

You can also join memorization groups that combine memorizing verses with understanding them. Memorization along with comprehension solidifies the meanings in the heart and helps in further connecting to the Qur’an.

The Benefits of Reflecting on the Qur’an

Strengthening Faith

The more you reflect on the verses of the Qur’an, the stronger your faith becomes, and the meanings are solidified in your heart. God says: “A blessed Book We have sent down to you so that they may reflect on its verses” [Surah Sad: 29]. Reflecting on the Qur’an is the key to understanding God’s attributes and the path that leads to His pleasure. You will find your heart growing more attached to God, and your soul renewed with every moment you spend reflecting on His words.

Enlightening the Heart and Vision

Reflection provides you with a deeper understanding of life and reveals the truths that illuminate your path. When you combine a living heart with attentive listening to God’s verses, the desired impact of the Qur’an is achieved. Its verses are not mere texts; they are enlightening rays that guide a person to the right way.

Reflection as a Means to Understand Social Relationships

The Qur’an guides us on how to deal with others wisely and compassionately. Reflect on the verses that talk about forgiveness and kindness, and you will find that your social life becomes more peaceful and harmonious. When you engage with others based on the principles taught by the Qur’an, your interactions become filled with love and respect.

Strengthening Willpower and Determination

When you read the stories of the Prophets in the Qur’an, you recognize the power of patience and endurance in the face of challenges. These stories are not just tales; they are living lessons that can shift your perspective on life. You will find in the Qur’an the answers to many questions related to willpower and ambition, helping you achieve your goals in life with perseverance.

Conclusion

The Qur’an is the greatest gift ever revealed to humanity. Reflecting on its verses and acting upon them opens the doors to guidance and happiness in both this world and the Hereafter. Make the Qur’an your daily companion and taste the sweetness of faith through its teachings.

Join the Quranic Mind Academy now to learn the Qur’an and live a life full of light and faith. Do not miss this opportunity to reach eternal happiness in both worlds, God willing.

Resources
tipyan

The science of Tajweed focuses on improving the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by articulating each letter from its correct point of articulation and giving it its due rights and characteristics. Tajweed is one of the fundamental sciences for every Muslim who seeks to recite the Qur’an correctly, seeking Allah’s pleasure and earning rewards. In this article, we will explore the concept of Tajweed, its virtues, and the importance of learning it.

What is the Science of Qur’anic Tajweed?
Name: Tajweed Science.
Linguistically: Tajweed means to beautify or improve.
Technically: It is the proper articulation of every letter from its correct point of articulation while giving it its rights (permanent characteristics like whispering or loudness) and dues (temporary characteristics like heavy or light pronunciation, e.g., the letter “Raa”).

What is the Virtue of Tajweed and Its Ruling in Islamic Law?
Tajweed is a branch of Islamic knowledge related to the Qur’an because Islamic law introduced its rules. Learning Tajweed is a communal obligation (fard kifayah)—if some Muslims fulfill it, others are exempt. However, applying it while reciting the Qur’an is a personal obligation (fard ‘ayn) for everyone who reads the Qur’an.

What is the Evidence for the Obligation of Tajweed?
From the Qur’an: Allah says, “And recite the Qur’an with measured recitation” (Surah Al-Muzzammil: 4).
From the Sunnah: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Allah has not permitted anything as He has permitted a Prophet with a beautiful voice reciting the Qur’an aloud.”
From Scholarly Consensus: Scholars have unanimously agreed on the obligation to recite the Qur’an with correct Tajweed from the Prophet’s time until today.

Why Should You Learn the Rules of Tajweed?
The main goal of Tajweed is to protect the tongue from mistakes when reciting the Qur’an, ensuring a reader earns full reward, pleases Allah, and attains happiness in this life and the Hereafter. This protection requires:
Training the tongue with frequent repetition.
Knowing the articulation points of the letters.
Understanding their characteristics.
Learning the rules of Qur’anic words.

From Where Are Tajweed Rules Derived?
The rules of Tajweed were derived from how Angel Jibreel (peace be upon him) recited the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Prophet taught it to his companions, who then passed it down through generations to today’s scholars.

Who Established the Rules of Tajweed?
Practically, it was the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who learned it from Jibreel. Theoretically, scholars differ:
Some say it was Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad Al-Farahidi.
Others say it was Abu Al-Aswad Al-Du’ali.
Others attribute it to Hafs ibn Umar Al-Douri or the Imams of Qira’at.

What Are the Topics of Tajweed?
Tajweed covers various topics like:
Rules of elongation (Madd) and shortening (Qasr).
Rules of the silent Noon and Tanween.
Rules of the silent Meem.

What Are the Tajweed Rules?
The rules of Tajweed vary in pronunciation depending on the specific letters, their position in the word, and to avoid confusion in pronunciation, Tajweed scholars have categorized these rules to make them easier to understand and teach, ensuring each letter is articulated from its correct point of origin.
Rules of Silent Meem (Mīm Sākinah)

There are three different rules for the silent meem in Tajweed:
Idgham Shafawi (Oral Merging): The silent meem is merged with the following moving meem, pronounced as a stressed meem with ghunnah (nasal sound) for two counts. Example: “جاءكمْ مِنْ قبل”.
Ikhfa Shafawi (Oral Concealment): Occurs when a silent meem is followed by the letter ب, where the meem is concealed while maintaining ghunnah for two counts. Example: “وما همْ بمؤمنين”.

Izhar Shafawi (Oral Clarification): The silent meem is pronounced clearly without ghunnah if followed by any Arabic letter except meem and baa. Example: “ولكمْ فيها فواكه”.

Rules of Silent Noon (Nūn Sākinah) and Tanween
The rules for silent noon and tanween are divided into four types:
Izhar Halqi (Throat Clarification): The silent noon or tanween is pronounced clearly without ghunnah when followed by throat letters: (ء، هـ، ع، ح، غ، خ). Example: “من عمل صالحًا”.

Idgham (Merging): The silent noon or tanween is merged with the following letter, divided into:
Idgham with Ghunnah: With letters (ي، ن، م، و), pronounced with ghunnah for two counts. Example: “جنة ونعيم”.

Idgham without Ghunnah: With letters (ل، ر), pronounced without ghunnah. Example: “قل ربكم”.

Ikhfa Haqiqi (True Concealment): The silent noon or tanween is concealed with ghunnah when followed by any of the ikhfa letters (ت، ث، ج، د، ذ، ز، س، ش، ص، ض، ط، ظ، ف، ق، ك). Example: “منْ خيرٍ”, “ينْقلب”.

Iqlab (Conversion): The silent noon or tanween is converted into a concealed meem with ghunnah when followed by the letter ب. Example: “مِنْ بعد”.

Rules of Tafkheem (Heaviness) and Tarqeeq (Lightness)
Heavy Letters (Tafkheem): Letters always pronounced heavily: (خ، ص، ض، غ، ط، ق، ظ). Example: “قال”, “خالد”.

Light Letters (Tarqeeq): All letters except the heavy ones. Example: “فرعون”, “ملك”.

Letter Rā (ر): Pronounced heavily if it is fatḥah or ḍammah, and lightly if it is kasrah. Example: “رَبِّ اغفر لي” (heavy), “فِرْعون” (light).

Lām in Allah’s Name: Pronounced heavily if preceded by fatḥah or ḍammah, and lightly if preceded by kasrah. Example: “الله أكبر”, “بسم الله”.

Rules of Madd (Elongation)
Natural Madd (Madd Asli): Basic elongation without cause, extended for two counts. Example: “قال”, “يجري”.

Secondary Madd (Madd Far’i): Elongation beyond the natural length, divided into:
Connected Madd (Madd Muttasil): When a madd letter is followed by a hamzah in the same word. Example: “السماء”.

Separated Madd (Madd Munfasil): When a madd letter is in one word and a hamzah in another. Example: “بما أنزل”.

Madd Badal: When a hamzah precedes a madd letter. Example: “آمنوا”.

Temporary Madd for Sukoon (Madd ‘Arid Lis-Sukoon): Occurs when stopping on a word ending with a sukoon. Example: “العالمينْ”.

Mandatory Madd (Madd Lazim): When a madd letter is followed by a permanent sukoon. Example: “دابَّة”, “الطامَّة”.

Madd Leen (Soft Elongation): With waaw and yaa sakinah preceded by fatḥah. Example: “خوف”, “بيت”.

Rules of Qalqalah (Echoing Sound)
Qalqalah is a vibration of sound when pronouncing certain letters in a state of sukoon. The five letters are: (ق، ط، ب، ج، د).

Minor Qalqalah: When the letter is in the middle of a word. Example: “يَطْبَعُ”.

Major Qalqalah: When the letter is at the end of a word and paused on. Example: “الحقْ”, “يومئذٍ تحدث أخبارها”.

Rules of Waqf (Pause) and Ibtidaa (Start)
Complete Pause (Waqf Tamm): Stopping at a word with a complete meaning. Example: “إن الله غفور رحيم”.

Sufficient Pause (Waqf Kafi): Stopping at a word that makes sense but is related to what follows. Example: “ذلك الكتاب لا ريب فيه هدى للمتقين”.

Good Pause (Waqf Hasan): Stopping at a meaningful word but grammatically linked to what follows. Example: “الحمد لله”.

Improper Pause (Waqf Qabeeh): Stopping that distorts the meaning. Example: stopping at “لا” in “لا إله إلا الله”.

Rules of Sakt (Brief Pause)
Sakt is a slight pause without taking a breath to separate words. Examples include:
After “مالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ”.
After “عِوَجًا ۜ قَيِّمًا”.
Between “كلا بل ران” and “على قلوبهم”.
At “قالوا ربنا الله ثم استقاموا”.

Rules of Ghunnah (Nasal Sound)
Ghunnah is a nasal sound pronounced for two counts, appearing in:
Stressed Noon and Meem: Example: “إنَّ الله”, “ثمَّ نظر”.
In Idgham and Ikhfa: Example: “مِنْ ماءٍ”, “يومئذٍ يفر المرء”.

What is the Difference Between Tartil and Tajweed?
Tartil is reciting the Qur’an with a beautiful melody and pleasant voice while applying Tajweed rules.
Tajweed focuses on articulating each letter correctly and applying its rights and dues.
Thus, Tartil includes Tajweed, but Tajweed alone does not constitute Tartil.

Can You Learn Tajweed on Your Own?
Yes, but it requires effort and time. Methods include:
Reading Tajweed books.
Listening to skilled reciters.
Using specialized Tajweed apps.
However, it’s best to learn from a qualified Sheikh if possible or join Qur’an learning academies.

Conclusion
Tajweed is the foundation for reciting the Qur’an properly and reverently. Learning and applying Tajweed brings a servant closer to Allah and earns great rewards. By mastering Tajweed, a Muslim preserves the words of Allah from distortion and recites them in the most beautiful manner fitting the grandeur of the Qur’an.

مبادئ علم التجويد العشرة

Discover the benefits of learning Quran for kids online. Native teachers provide authentic, personalized education, fostering spiritual and cognitive growth.