Connecting Parents to the Quran, Too

Most Muslim parents are interested in their children learning to read the Quran. Some even aspire to have their kids memorize the entire Quran in their youth. It is a great achievement for parents when their children reach this goal. Most of the time, the goal for memorization is also to strive to have their children grow a love for the Quran. However, the question arises as to whether these parents have thought about developing the same love for the Quran and integrating it in their own lives? Have you, as a parent, been aware of how much time you put into reciting and understanding the Quran?

We tend to forget that the Quran is the Book of Guidance for all of us. It is a Muslim’s Life Manual. When do we make the time on a regular basis to keep coming back to the Quran to read it, understand it, and implement it in our lives? Do we turn to it like we do to a companion during good and bad times?

Benefits of the Quran for This World

There are many benefits and blessings we can enjoy from the Quran in this world including:

1. The Quran helps us to understand who Allah is and what He is able to do.

This can be achieved by learning about His many Attributes which can help us become more trusting and loving towards Him and also more accepting of whatever He has planned for our lives.

“And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out And will provide for him from where he does not expect.”  (Surah Talaq, 65:2-3)

2. In the Quran we learn how to increase our sustenance (rizq) in this world.

If we are trying to fulfil our basic needs or desire certain things or simply want to increase our wealth, then we will find ways to attain those things through Him. The acts of Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), giving Zakat (annual alms giving), and having children are outlined in the Quran as a means to gain pleasure from Allah and in turn gain more “wealth” in this world, whether tangible or not. 

3. Listening to the recitation or reciting the Quran soothes our heart and mind.

In moments of distress or during episodes of depression, we can turn to listening to the beautiful verses of the Quran to ease our souls. And then read its meaning to help calm our worries and find hope in those times.

Allah says, “Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort" (Surah ar-Ra’d 13: 28).

Benefits of the Quran for The Hereafter

There are many benefits and blessings from the Quran that will be reserved for the Hereafter  including:

1. Teaching your children or facilitating their learning of the Quran will be Sadaqa Jariyah (continuous charity) for you.

If you are teaching your children how to recite or understand the Quran, you will receive immense blessings and rewards in this world and in the Hereafter. Moreover, if you even facilitate their learning of the Quran through a Quran teacher, school or scholar, that will also be a charity through which you will earn great reward. How? When you or a teacher helps your child learn the Quran, you will gain a reward each time your child recites it! For every letter, for every person they also teach, and so on until the Day of Judgement! 

2. It will be an intercessor for us on the Day of Judgement.

Abu Umaamah al-Baahili narrated: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, say: “Read the Quran, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection interceding for its companions” (Muslim 804). If we are people who often recite and understand the Quran and implement its teachings in our lives, it becomes like a companion to us. These actions will be invaluable to us on the Day of Judgement.

3. The more you struggle to recite the Quran, the more reward you get.

The Prophet’s wife, Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, reported the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saying:  “One who is skilled in the Quran is associated with the noble, upright recording angels, and he who falters when he recites the Quran and finds it difficult for him will have a double reward” (Sunan Abi Dawud 1454).

Whether you recite the Quran with excellent pronunciation and rhythm or struggle to recite like a toddler, it is a win-win situation for you. Simply for the act of reciting His Book, Allah loves that you are taking the time out to do it! And rewards you greatly for it. Therefore, recite as much as you can every day and work towards improving your pronunciation (tajweed) little by little inshaAllah, God-willing. 

4. There will be eternal reward for our efforts.

Memorizing the Quran will be highly rewarded and make us well-known on the Day of Judgement according to this hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah:

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The one who memorized the Quran shall come on the Day of Judgement and (the reward for reciting the Quran) says: 'O Lord! Decorate him.’ So he is donned with a crown of nobility. Then it says: ‘O Lord! Give him more!' So he is donned with a suit of nobility. Then it says: ‘O Lord! Be pleased with him.' So He is pleased with him and says: "Recite and rise up, and be increased in reward with every Ayah'" (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2915).

What a wonderful reward that would be!

Tips to Increase Love for The Quran

If we can appreciate the value of these rewards, then it goes without saying that we must do everything we can to increase our relationship with the Quran. Here are three ways you can do that now:

1. Choose your favorite reciter and listen to the Quran as part of your daily routine.

There are many beautiful reciters of the Quran, mashaAllah. Pick your favorite and listen to this reciter for memorization and for soothing your heart during distressing moments. Here are some links to help you find a reciter of your choice: 

• https://www.quranexplorer.com/quran/ - For this resource, use the drop down menu labelled ‘Reciter’ to listen to each one. 
• https://quran.com/1/1-7?reading=true - For this resource, click on “Settings” then click on “Choose Reciters.”
• https://recitequran.com/settings/reciters - This detailed interface shows you the alphabetical order of reciters, the reciters who are good with helping you improve your pronunciation, reciters who recite slowly to help you memorize, those who are also teachers, and even children reciters - a great examples to share with your kids!

2. Recite Quran daily.

If one page seems like too much, start with one to five verses and go from there until you’re able to recite more each day. Soon you will feel like your day is incomplete without this habit, just like brushing your teeth. Also make a goal for reading the translation of the verses. In this manner you can also enjoy the guidance behind its beautiful words.

3. Familiarize yourself with and share stories from the Quran.

There are many stories of the Prophets (25 are named in the Quran!) and righteous people, such as Luqman and the family of Imran, may Allah have mercy upon them. Their deep conviction in Allah’s power and wisdom were motivating for them and can also be inspirational for our own lives.

If we want to inculcate the love for the Quran in the hearts of our children, let us start with ourselves. Our children will definitely learn from our example just as much, if not more than, through our teachings, inshaAllah. Today is a great day to improve your own relationship with the Quran.