The Virtue of the Qur’an in Ramadan

Question

May Allah reward you, Shaykh. This is the blessed month of Ramadan—the month of the Noble Qur’an. Do you have a word for the Muslims about reflecting upon this Noble Qur’an and taking advantage of the times of the noble month of Ramadan in recitation?

Response by Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān (حفظه الله)

Allah, the Most High, said:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185 — Muhsin Khan)

The revelation of the Qur’an during the month of Ramadan carries tremendous merit, indicating that this month holds a special distinction with the Qur’an over all other months.

For that reason, the Prophet (ﷺ) would devote himself to reciting the Qur’an in this month, and the Companions and the righteous Salaf would likewise devote themselves to reciting the Qur’an during it.

They would leave off the lessons of knowledge and the study circles they used to hold before Ramadan, and during Ramadan devote themselves to reciting the Qur’an, remembering Allah, and performing Ṣalāh.

Then, when Ramadan ended, they returned to the gatherings of remembrance—meaning the gatherings of study and learning.

This shows that it is appropriate for the Muslim to increase in reciting the Qur’an during the month of Ramadan and to reflect deeply upon it.

Allah, the Most High, said:

كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَـٰرَكٌۭ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓا۟ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ

“(This is) a Book (the Qur’an) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember.”
(Surah Sad 38:29 — Muhsin Khan)

Allah, the Most High, also said:

أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَآ

“Do they not then think deeply in the Qur’an, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)?”
(Surah Muhammad 47:24 — Muhsin Khan)

And Allah, the Most High, said:

أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ ۚ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا۟ فِيهِ ٱخْتِلَـٰفًۭا كَثِيرًۭا

“Do they not then consider the Qur’an carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradictions.”
(Surah An-Nisa 4:82 — Muhsin Khan)

So, recitation without reflection carries limited benefit, whereas recitation accompanied by reflection becomes greatly rewarding and brings immense benefit.

For that reason, Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said:

“Reflect upon the Qur’an if you desire guidance, for knowledge is attained through reflection upon the Qur’an.”

End quote.

May Allah ﷻ aid us in reciting the Qur’an, reflecting upon it, and acting upon it.

Aameen!