How Can a Muslim Deeply Reflect on the Quran’s Meanings?

Answered by Shaykh Anas al-Musa

Question

How can a Muslim achieve deep reflection on the meanings of the Quran?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.

Undoubtedly, a believer’s connection with the Quran is an important goal that should be pursued. Achieving this involves multiple aspects, including reading, reflecting, and applying the teachings. Here are some guidelines for this:

Reading and Reciting the Quran

Begin by reciting the Quran with the awareness that what you are reading is the speech of Allah (Most High). Choose a suitable time for this, remembering that each person has their preferred time for reciting the Quran. The time when your heart is present, and your mind is clear for pondering and understanding the Quran is a suitable time for reading.

It is also important to note that reciting the Quran during the quiet of the night when people are asleep, creates a strong bond between the Quran and the reciter, as it has an undeniable impact on the heart. This is confirmed by the words of Allah (Most High):

“Indeed, worship in the night is more impactful and suitable for recitation.” [Quran, 73:6], and

“Yet they are not all alike: some among the People of the Book are upright, who recite Allah’s revelations throughout the night, prostrating (in prayer).” [Quran, 3:113]

Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) narrated that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Whoever stands for ten verses in the night prayer will not be recorded among the heedless. Whoever stands for a hundred verses will be recorded among the devout. And whoever stands for a thousand verses will be recorded among those with many good deeds.” [Abu Dawud]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also said about Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them):

“What an excellent man Abdullah is if he would pray at night.” [Bukhari]

Night prayer undoubtedly includes prayer, recitation of the Quran, and remembrance of Allah (Most High). Ibrahim al-Nakha‘i used to say: “Recite (the Quran) during the night, even if it is as much as the time it takes to milk a sheep.” [Nawawi, al-Tibyan fi Adab Hamalat al-Quran ]

Imam Nawawi explained the preference for reading at night, saying:

“The night prayer and recitation are preferred because they gather the heart and are free from distractions, diversions, and engagements in needs. They are also more sincere and protected from showing off and other nullifiers of deeds. Furthermore, the Sacred Law has emphasized doing good deeds at night; for instance, the night journey of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) was at night, and the hadith mentions that ‘Your Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night has passed and says: Is there anyone who calls upon Me so that I may answer him?’” [Ibid.]

Some scholars have mentioned that the best time for reading the Quran is at dawn, and they base this on Allah’s words:

“Observe the prayer from the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night and the dawn prayer, for certainly the dawn prayer is witnessed (by angels).” [Quran, 17:78]

This means that it is witnessed by the angels of the night and the angels of the day. Undoubtedly, beginning the day by reciting the Quran and remembering Allah (Most High) brings tranquility and peace and strengthens the connection with the Quran.

Reflecting on the Quran and Contemplating Its Meanings

This can be achieved by using tafsir books that explain the general meaning of the verses and by relating the verses you read to the current conditions of Muslims. In other words, it activates the practical aspect of the Quran instead of making it merely a book to be recited without affecting people’s lives and their hereafter.

Seeking Righteous Companionship

Engage with companions who study the Quran together, discuss its rhetorical and miraculous aspects, seek out its messages and lessons, and explore how the Quran can influence your life.

Combining Reading and Listening to the Quran

Choose one of the reciters whose voices you love to listen to, and listen to the Quran from them. A melodious voice and a well-executed recitation of the Quran evoke meanings and enhance the impact of the Quran, deepening the relationship between you and the Quran.

Reading about the Prophet and Predecessors’ Relationship with the Quran

The Prophet’s (Allah bless him and give him peace) connection with the Quran was very close, and he might recite a single verse and repeat it all night. Abu Dharr (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) recited this verse and kept repeating it until morning: “If You punish them, they belong to You after all. But if You forgive them, You are surely the Almighty, All-Wise.” [Quran, 5:118] [Ahmad]

Similarly, the Quran deeply affected his Companions (Allah be pleased with thran. Asma bint Abi Bakr (Allah be pleased with her) began reciting Surat al-Tur, and when she reached the verse: “So Allah has graced us and protected us from the torment of (Hell’s) scorching heat.” [Quran, 52:27], she kept repeating it for a long time until the narrator said: “I went to the market for a need, then returned, and she was still repeating it, ‘and protected us from the torment of (Hell’s) scorching heat,’ while she was in prayer.” [Harawi, Fada’il al-Quran]

The impact of the Quran on the righteous predecessors was not limited to the time of recitation or the place and time where it was read, but it permeated all aspects of their lives.

Devote Most of Your Time to Reading and Contemplating the Quran

The righteous predecessors used to do this; some would complete the Quran in seven nights, some in six, some in five, and many in three nights. Among them were those who completed eight recitations: four during the night and four during the day. Among those who completed a recitation in one night and day were Uthman Ibn Affan (Allah be pleased with him), Tamim al-Dari, Sa‘id Ibn Jubayr, Mujahid, Shafi‘i, and others.

Supplication and Pleading to Allah (Most High)

Ask Him to strengthen your connection with the Quran and grant you the ability to receive its messages well.

The problem with Muslims today is that their impact from the Quran is momentary, stopping when they stop reading or leave the place and the time for reading ends.

We ask Allah to make us among those who listen to the word and follow the best of it. Amin.

May Allah bless the Prophet Muhammad and give him peace, and his Family and Companions.

And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa

Shaykh Anas al-Musa, born in Hama, Syria, in 1974, is an erudite scholar of notable repute. He graduated from the Engineering Institute in Damascus, where he specialized in General Construction, and Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Usul al-Din, where he specialized in Hadith.

He studied under prominent scholars in Damascus, including Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri and Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, among others. Shaykh Anas has memorized the Quran and is proficient in the ten Mutawatir recitations, having studied under Shaykh Bakri al-Tarabishi and Shaykh Mowfaq ‘Ayun. He also graduated from the Iraqi Hadith School.

He has taught numerous Islamic subjects at Shari‘a institutes in Syria and Turkey. Shaykh Anas has served as an Imam and preacher for over 15 years and is a teacher of the Quran in its various readings and narrations.

Currently, he works as a teacher at SeekersGuidance and is responsible for academic guidance there. He has completed his Master’s degree in Hadith and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in the same field. Shaykh Anas al-Musa is married and resides in Istanbul.