Why do we read the Quran? Why I love reading the words of Allah

Dr Musharraf Hussain, Translator the Majestic Quran reflects on his passion and enthusiasm for the Divine Book. Its clear teachings to the challenging passages.

What’s in it for me?

We read books to broaden our understanding and knowledge of the world around us, how people experience different walks of life. We read to understand the mind of the author, explore their thoughts and feelings. Sometimes we just read, we read for pleasure as we let our imagination loose and wander the author’s world. Amazingly reading transports us into another world so that we can learn from the writer, to download their knowledge, experience, and perspective. Now, we learn about a world that is outside of our own experience, we discover amazing new gems.

The manners of reading the Quran

The serious reader of the Quran rarely has clean copy, the well-thumbed book, has red, pink and green highlights splashed, jottings in the margins. This is a well-studied Quran that belongs to a serious-minded person. You can call it a happy Quran of a happy reader. Quran reading is not an end, but a means by which we are transported to other times and places, where we are inspired to find out purpose of life and gain timeless guidance. We learn what it means to live good life. Quran reading is a powerful kind of meditation, a training of the mind in the moment.

125 Quranic stories can provide an escape from the hustle bustle of our busy lives. When we read the stories and the biographies of the prophets, we see them facing intense opposition, mockery, ridicule, and even physical attacks as they teach people. For a while we can be a contemporaries of bold Godley people. Enjoy their company, experience their anguish and sorrow. Feel Ayyub’s excruciating pain from the open wounds, commiserate with him about the death of his children and the devastation of his wealth and observe him deal with the blasphemy of his beloved wife. Thus, I can walk along this man of God as he goes through his agonies, witness patience. He will teach us a lot.

Seeking Sparkes of Suleiman’s wisdom

A practical reason for me to read the Quran is, I want to be smart, Allah’s way. I want to be changed, I want to change my mind, get inspiration. I am seeking wisdom, like Suleiman: “Lord, inspire me so that I may thank you for the gifts that you gave me and my father so that I may do righteous deeds that will please you and kindly join me with your righteous servants.” (Al-Naml: 19)

I love to be wrapped up in something that is different from daily chores, i want to immerse in a world that is different, that’s what the Quran does, it provides a window into another world, far more interesting, far bigger, and far more meaningful than my Nottingham existence. So, it shows me the scenes of human disobedience thousands of years ago, so I meet tyrants like the pharaoh, who claimed he was God, I get a glimpse of Qarun the richest Jew in Egypt as he enjoys his pompous procession, flanked by army of servants. The Quran criticises those who were impressed with this display of arrogance “One day he went out among his people dressed in his finest clothes, those who had inferiority complex and desired the life of this world said, ‘what a pity, we lack what Qarun has, he’s lucky.’ However, people of knowledge said ‘what a pity! Allah’s reward awaits those who believe and do good. This is reserved for the patient people.’ So, We buried him and his home in the Earth, he had no one to help him nor was he able to protect himself. Next morning those who were impressed by Qarun’s pomp said ‘Alas, Allah gives as He pleases some more others less. Had Allah not been gracious to us then we too would have been swallowed. Indeed, the disbelievers will not succeed.’ (Al-Qasas: 79-82) The Quran uses We and I, first person plenty, why? To rub in that there is an author of this book Allah almighty. Thus, stressing his presence, but more importantly to reveal to us the author’s mind, message, and purpose.

Reading randomly for sheer joy

I read the Quran mostly for sheer joy, the pleasure of handling Allah’s book. Particularly after the morning prayer, fresh, eyes, clear mind and clean heart ever ready for a book that promises rewards. And sometimes just reading randomly from anywhere, stumbling across strange topics. But my experience is that wherever I open, the page has something to tell me, its relevant to me it speaks clearly.  The section headings of the Majestic Quran are inviting. As though the Quran senses my need, my anguish and joy, my feelings, and frustrations. Why not? Its living book, responding to my personal needs. Iqbal’s couplet attests to this, “this is a living book”

 Reading the Quran awakens human imagination to understand the spiritual world. It acts like a doorway to real world, not the world of Hollywood, or BBC. Former is profound truth the latter false. The Quran answers an important curious question that humans want an answer to, why do we exist? How did we get here? What is here? Who are we? Where are we going? The Quran gives astonishing answers. Starting with who we are; it clearly defines our role and responsibility on earth. Khlifat-ullah, a special position, the divine representative, with huge potential and an immense dignity. We are the only species that can speak and use language “He taught them communication”. (Al Rahman: 4)

My mother’s Quran reading

The Quran is public document, for all, the elite and the ordinary. Its uplifting and captivating.  I have witnessed my mother then in her eighties reciting the Quran for hours on end. I would say “mum don’t you get tired?” She would look at me with surprise, as though what’s this moron thinking. I could palpably sense how much she enjoyed those hours reciting and humming surah after surah. Was she reading for leisure, or to pass the time? I am sure she read it because she enjoyed the company of the Lord.

Reading the Quran for a dying person

A pious lady, devout worshipper a student from my congregation was dying. So, I went to the hospice, her family sitting and standing solemnly around her death bed. We read Surat Yasin, as the beloved Master had prescribed. It felt like a solace, I know we were building the connection with her next life until she crossed the threshold, when the angels of death will take her soul. The Quran encourages us to yearn for this moment of meeting, “anyone who hopes to meet Allah, let him know it’s coming soon”. () She was a practising believer, lifelong committed reader of the Quran, lived by it, and it gave shape to her world. Seven times in Surat Yasin we read that Allah will bring the dead to life, so we were getting her ready.

Rapturous Quran recitation

There’s difference between reading and reciting. The recitation is performance, reading for social gatherings. The Quran is recited melodiously and loudly, so others can hear it and enjoy the its lyrical content. My friend Qari Syed Sadaqat is renowned for his beautiful recitation of the Quran, when he recites everything stops. He’s watched by millions on YouTube. https://youtu.be/Z7Y150aRRx4?si=nuakJlfsOXSnl8v0

The blissful recitation by the master reciter offers healing, relieves the pain and suffering. Some doctors played his recitation of Surat Rahman to patients in intensive care units, and found it relieved them and quickened healing. This reading and listening together strengthens social bonds between the reader and the listeners. Once I came to the Masjid, I found young and elderly reciting the Quran melodiously rhythmically rocking from right to left. They were intensely focused reciting it. Removed far from the noisy hustle bustle of the urban life. 

Glimpses of Paradise

I read the Quran wherever I am, I read it for knowledge, for the company. Sometimes I read it to have glimpses of paradise. “They were patient so they will be rewarded with breathtaking gardens, silk clothing, comfortable couches to rest, an environment neither hot nor cold, its low hanging branches give them shade, and masses of fruits. They will be served in crystal-like silver cups, selecting the size of the cups to drink from. They will be given a drink mixed with ginger, from a spring called Salsabil. Young people blessed with eternal youth serve them, they are like scattered pearls; as you watch these delightful scenes you will see an immense blissful kingdom. Their lavish clothing is of green silk and brocade, decorated with silver bracelets. It will be said “This is the reward for your tireless efforts, that have been gratefully recognized.” (Al-Dahr:12-22)

Imitating the strong character

We must read the Quran to learn, moral and spiritual virtues of empathy and kindness. How? By reading the Quranic stories we can immerse in thoughts, the feelings of those wonderful people. This can only be realised once we walk in the shoes of strong character. “Beloved Messenger you have an incredibly strong character.”

When reading the moving stories of the Quran, its authoritative laws and principles, its rational manners and morals we are always learning something about the author, the Almighty creator. In fact, it is a master class in getting to know the nature, qualities, and the works of the Lord. The Quran often gives word portraits of the Lord. It provides a map and a compass so we can find the straight path that leads to paradise.

Quran reading and Human destiny.

We read the Quran with anticipation, expectation and sometimes to make sense of destiny. In the Quran we find the destiny of other lives unfold, but I need to live well, make something of it. This helps me to understand who I am, and what I must become. I must reconcile with destiny the way the Lord has made it. This is the meaning of Islam, a verb that means submission and surrendering to the divine. And when we read the Quran, we transcend our time and place we shake off the shackles of the material world. We stand head bowed, heart humbled, mind focused on the loving Lord. We surrender our ego, our desires, and pleasures before Allah. This way Quranic reading is an exercise in freedom of mind, through which I see the variety of human lives and the vastness of what lies beyond. When reading description of paradise in the Quran i can imagine living there for a moment. So, for me it is more than an escape, a feeling of joy of being a Muslim.

A great book like the Quran triggers uplifting mood, and gives, moral and spiritual education. How many times were you impressed by reading the charitable action of someone and feeling compelled that I must do it. Remember the disciple who slept hungry himself but fed the traveller, next morning when he met the Messenger, he smiled at him and gave him the good news that the Lord was extremely happy with him “they prefer others over themselves, yet they are needy”. ()

On the contrary when you read about someone’s wickedness, were you not disgusted? “Cursed are the diggers of the trench, who lit the fire with piles of firewood, sat around it watching what they were doing to the believers. They only hated them because they believed in Allah the Almighty the praiseworthy”. (Al-Burooj: 4-9) Notice how long ago the Lord severely condemned the people who burnt believers. The Quran enjoins good and forbids evil, inviting the reader to act.

The Quran tells true stories of disobedience and wonderous devotion. These stories contain tales of achievement, love, loss, and conflict. Similarly, authors of novels and film writers often claim their story is based on a’ true story.’ Since audience prefer real stories more than fiction. No wonder The Quranic stories are thrilling, wonderful and provoking. Anyone who likes to find out about human character, individual motives and feelings then go no further, read the fascinating, compelling stories of the Quran. This way the Quran becomes a mirror to look at our own lives. Once you have read a story you will see sides of reality you never saw before.

 The Quran raises the spirit

From each reading session, I extract one gem at a time. A peculiar way to look at the reading of the Quran is “cosmic significance therapy”, this makes me feel larger in this world, greater full of potential. Since the Quran gives me a honorific title of Khlifat-ullah. Perhaps the grandest title.  The Divine representative.  Makes me feel proud. Defining the meaning and purpose of my life.

But the Quran can also be read for ‘cosmic insignificance therapy’ where it makes us feel humble, feel smaller in the face of the vastness of God’s creation. Making us shrink. The Quran is good at flying through time and history, it flicks back and forth through ages but of course at my pace. The Quranic teachings anchor us in solid facts, they root us in the reality.

The Quran doesn’t just inform us, it wakes us up, shakes our complacency, invites us to take a good and honest look at what’s out there. It takes us out of ourselves and then asks if we just want to go back inside now that we know what we know.

When someone asks why I read the Quran I can very simply say that it feels a bit like explaining’ why I eat.’ My motives are selfish, yes, I need to escape the limits of my experience, to access the mind of the Lord of the universe, to learn about great vistas and great people.

A serious reader shares the Quran

I am trying to connect people with the Quran, urging them to engage and seriously study the word of God. The mind-altering effects of Quran reading extend to all walks of life in ways that range from clear to mysterious. What is clear is how to pray to the Lord how to be thankful how to go about living a decent modest pure life. And the importance of being good and kind charitable and serving others. At the mysterious end of the teachings, it explains facts about relating with the Lord of the universe, taking us out of the narrow confines of material world.

Can the effects of Quranic education be witnessed? Yes, it reduces racism, injustice sexist behaviour xenophobic behaviour homophobic behaviour and it condemns cheating and dishonesty. Promotes service to humanity, this is why a faithful is more likely to be a trustworthy citizen.

Conclusion

These scattered thoughts are personal reflections on why I read. The word text comes from Latin to weave. The Weaver’s weft and warp make the cloth, similarly a writer weaves words to create text. Reading the Quran means different things to different people: education, Inspiration, Imagination, Illumination, Evaluation, Relaxation. For me Quran reading is all these things. It is a unique way of learning allows time to pause and consider, to match the new information to what I know.

Reading the Quran is a private affair, but recitation of the Quran is more of a social performance, freedom with a shared beat, played in the dome of the Masjid, the reciter seated on the Kursi. Making Quran reading the most sacred act.

You are invited to write for my Book ‘Why we read the Quran?’

Write 300 to 400 words and share your experience of reading the Quran. What you find interesting, why you love it so much. Please send a brief autobiography a self-description including name, profession and a hobby. (40 words only)