Reading the Qur\u2019an for the first time is a challenge to non-Muslims. \u00a0It\u2019s not an easy task. So, here are ten beneficial tips for non-Muslims on how to go about reading and understanding the Qur\u2019an for the first time.<\/p>\n
Allah states in the Qur\u2019an,<\/p>\n
And We have certainly made the Qur\u2019an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?\u201d <\/strong>[Quran.com\/54\/22]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It is one of many ways the Qur\u2019an is miraculous that it is read, understood, and memorized so easily. It is \u201cThe Most Memorized Book Ever\u201d, no wonder. No book ever has been more studied, learned, and memorized as the Qur\u2019an, and it has so many contests, national and international, for memorizing and reciting it. \u00a0In fact, this is one way of many for the preservation and maintenance of its authenticity unaltered that Allah has vowed,<\/p>\n
Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur\u2019an and indeed, We will be its guardian.\u201d<\/strong> [Quran.com\/15\/9]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
It is a fact that it is EASY, UNALTERED AND NEVER FALSIFIED.<\/p>\n
Two: Read about the Qur\u2019an before you read it<\/b><\/h2>\n
The word Qur\u2019an appears about 70 times in the Qur\u2019an itself, assuming various meanings, but when we go about defining \u201cThe Book\u201d \u201cthe Qur\u2019an\u201d itself, it\u2019s as follows:<\/p>\n
\n
- Linguistically, the word Qur\u2019an means to read, and recite and it also means a book that is repeatedly read over and over again.<\/li>\n
- Technically, the Qur\u2019an is The Miraculous Arabic speech of Allah that was revealed to the last Messenger of God, Muhammad, both in word and in meaning, through Gabriel over twenty-three years.\u00a0 The Qur\u2019an has reached us unaltered through \u201cconsecutive trustworthy groups of narrators\u201d (chains of narration) their conspiring to lie is inconceivable. The Qur\u2019an\u2019s recitation itself is an act of worship; a Muslim is rewarded for each letter of the Qur\u2019an he\/she recites.<\/li>\n
- The Qur\u2019an which is collected in written form between the two covers \u201cThe Mus-haf\u201d is a standing challenge to mankind to come up with the like of it.<\/li>\n
- Allah has vowed in the Qur\u2019an that He will protect it (the Qur\u2019an) from falsification until the end of time.<\/li>\n
- The Qur\u2019an is the only book in existence that asserts its own authenticity and perfection right there in the book itself. \u00a0Allah says,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah\u201d <\/strong>[Quran.com\/2\/2]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Here is a link that provides both written and recited Qur\u2019an along with several translations in several languages. quran.com\/<\/p>\n
Three: What is the message of the Qur\u2019an? What\u2019s it all about?<\/b><\/h3>\n
The Qur\u2019an, being \u201cThe final Message from Allah\u201d,\u00a0sums up<\/b> all previous Books, affirms<\/b> and dominates<\/b> over all of them. The Qur\u2019an conveys the same message as did all previous Books:<\/p>\n
\n
- There is only One God worthy of worship, the Creator, Sustainer and Sovereign of all beings.<\/li>\n
- Every creation is God\u2019s servant and worshiper.<\/li>\n
- And finally, all will, on the Day of Judgment, return to God to be accounted for their deeds in this life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
And We never sent a messenger before you \u02f9O Prophet\u02fa without revealing to him: \u201cThere is no god \u02f9worthy of worship\u02fa except Me, so worship Me \u02f9alone\u02fa.\u201d<\/strong> [Quran.com\/21\/25]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Four: Which translation should you read?<\/b><\/h4>\n
Let me state this fact: \u201cNo translation will ever convey the full message of the Qur\u2019an\u201d. \u00a0So, a non-Muslim should choose a translation that Muslims view as a reliable one, such as,<\/p>\n
\n
- Sahih International,<\/li>\n
- Dr. Ghali,<\/li>\n
- and Dr. Mustafa Khattab.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Those and transliteration of the Qur\u2019an along with recitations can be accessed here: Quran.com\/<\/p>\n
Five: Is a good translation of the Qur\u2019an enough to understand it?<\/b><\/h2>\n
The Qur\u2019an, being The Word of Allah and His final Message and Miracle, has so many layers of meanings that translations cannot relay. \u00a0So, the advice here is to pick a book of \u201cExegesis\u201d. Now we need to know how exegesis is different from translation.<\/p>\n
Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text.<\/p>\n
Linguistically, Exegesis is a critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture.<\/p>\n
Technically, Exegesis is exerting human utmost effort to try to reach the knowledge and understanding of Allah\u2019s Will and the real meaning of the Qur\u2019an, the final Divine Message. \u00a0So, it is merely doing our best to understand Allah\u2019s words.<\/p>\n
So many trustworthy knowledgeable Muslim scholars have given great works of exegesis; here are some links to some reliable works:<\/p>\n
\n
- The Clear Quranic Exegesis<\/li>\n
- Maariful Quran English<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Six: Occasions of revelation<\/b><\/h2>\n
It is a historical fact that Qur\u2019an was, unlike previous Divine Books, revealed in an intermittent manner over twenty-three years; each revelation in a correspondent occasion. So it is of great importance and benefit to find out the occasion upon which each verse or group of verses were revealed. And, it is one of the tools of a scholar working on exegesis.<\/p>\n
Seven: Where, in the Qur\u2019an, to start reading?<\/b><\/h2>\n
The Qur\u2019an is a complete world of Divine Words. Some like to start from the very beginning, others may start with the chapters of tales and stories and a few would start at the very end. \u00a0My advice is to start at the beginning, as it is how Allah intended; the order of verses and chapters is Divine in origin for a wisdom; only He knows best.<\/p>\n
Allah says,<\/p>\n
[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they [people] might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded [mindful].\u201d<\/strong> [Quran.com\/38\/29]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Eight: The Auditory Experience, WOW<\/b><\/h2>\n
I cannot emphasize enough on this \u201cListening to Qur\u2019an recitation\u201d. \u00a0It is an out of this world experience, so sentimental and emotional and a huge spiritual one. The recitation has a group of set rules that were practiced by Muslims since the Messenger of Allah Muhammad has taught his companions and they taught their students and so on to the present day. Successive complete chains of trustworthy Muslims narrating the Qur\u2019an in the very-same-exact manner.<\/p>\n
Here are some beautiful recitations I hope you will enjoy;<\/p>\n
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- Heart melting quran recitations:<\/li>\n
- Quran MP3, click on any reciter name you prefer:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Nine: The Messenger of Islam Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him)<\/b><\/h2>\n
I strongly advise of reading to know about the man that the Qur\u2019an was revealed to, and was so honest and trustworthy in delivering Allah\u2019s Message. \u00a0Aisha, Prophet Muhammad\u2019s wife, says about him, \u201cThe conduct of the Prophet (\ufdfa) was entirely according to the Qur\u2019an.\u201d (Sunnah.com)<\/p>\n
Here is a very beautifully written biography of the life of Muhammad (PBUH),<\/p>\n
Ten: Ask a Muslim<\/b><\/h2>\n
When in trouble, baffled, curious or confused about any Islamic issue, just ask a knowledgeable Muslim. \u00a0THIS IS TRULY GOLD. It\u2019s logical and wise to seek information and knowledge from an attested-credible source. I mean, people usually refer to a doctor when ill, an engineer if having a technical problem, and to a teacher when having a question about a study subject. \u00a0However, when it comes to Islam, I am always amazed by this: non-Muslims refer to websites and books of other non-Muslims instead of simply asking people of specialty, \u201cMUSLIMS\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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