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Preparing our Hearts for Ramadan
Day 9: Self Development Tips and Conclusion
Self-development means striving and making continuous efforts to become better tomorrow than you are today. Recognising the need for self-development that encourages us to acquire further skills and expand our knowledge, and improve our behaviour and habits. Ramadan presents us with the most fertile ground for us to plant the seeds of good habits and a new level of engagement with the Quran. It may be, for example, that you wish to:
Improve your memorisation or recitation
Improve the way you communicate with your loved ones
Change the company you keep
Improve the manner and frequency of prayer
Learn and study the essentials of faith
Here are some Quranic verses that talk about self-development through reflecting on the creation of Allah. When one contemplates and reflects on the great work of Allah, the horizons open up, the heart becomes tranquil, and the mind evolves and progresses. Several Quranic verses emphasise this, including the following:
This verse reminds me that just like Allah created us through the many different stages in the embryo, He, SWT (Glorified and exalted is He), completed the design and creation of our bodies in the womb, after which we come to this world. Now it is upon us to use the gifts of our intellect and senses to complete the stages of our moral, spiritual, and intellectual development, which happens through reading and understanding revelation and His signs. Allah wants for us to fulfil and take charge of our spiritual, intellectual, and moral development just like the way He perfected our bodies.
In the same surah, Allah informs humanity that finally, after the end of the journey of life, there will be accountability upon our return to Him.
Allah says:
Bearing this in mind, we need to ask ourselves, where have we fallen short? Have we invested time in developing ourselves intellectually, morally, and spiritually by reading and understanding the Quran? Since our time on earth is finite, have we tried to grow spiritually to become better than yesterday? Have we made a sincere effort to purify our hearts?
There are many questions we can ask ourselves in this respect. The main thing is to continue striving and making dua.
“Do you have any tips on how we can better engage with the Quran this Ramadan?”
Here are 10 ways we can engage with the Quran in Ramadan:
Recitation: The Quran is a recited book. Listening to the Quran allows our hearts to respond to Allah’s words, and it softens our hearts, making them more responsive to Allah’s guidance. Active listening is key to purifying our hearts and engaging our souls, minds, and senses with the Quran. Try following a recitation with translation, either in captions or from a Quran translation at the same time, for maximum benefit.
Reflection: By taking a verse and deeply considering its implications in our lives, thoughts, and feelings, we can enact the Quran’s message into our day-to-day lives. Try taking it slowly and do not become frustrated if it takes time for you to build momentum. Allah is with you, and He will reward you for your efforts.
Read a translation: There are numerous translations that can be found here on Quran.com in different languages. Reading a portion from the Quran every day with its accompanying translation will allow us to take a deeper dive into its context and will allow us to appreciate our recitation further.
Read a tafseer: These can be found using the book icon available on every ayah on Quran.com
Write down any questions you have: Write down a question that may arise whilst listening and reading the Quran. Try to search for the answer in the Quran and then ask your imam or someone learned in Quran studies.
Daily (or weekly) actionable points: For every engagement with the Quran, try to distil some key actionable points. Document these and come back to them to see if you have implemented them. InshaAllah, you will experience the full blessings of the Quran in your life, as you attempt to act upon its guidance, and indeed Allah will reward you.
Highlight/learn new commonly occurring Quranic vocabulary: As an avid listener/reciter of the Quran, no doubt you will start to notice recurring words and expressions. Make a list of these and try to see if you can recall the meaning of these words without using a translation or dictionary. You will be surprised to see how much you can retain!
Quran journaling: This is a good way of documenting your journey with the Quran. Read a portion of the Quran and take note of the context, the parables, any new words, names, or stories that you have learnt. You can also use QuranReflect.com
Join a study group/Quran class: Try and join the Quran study group either at your local mosque or even online. Remember, QuranReflect is always here to assist.
Sign up for a new Learning Plan: Sign up for our Learning Plan by Dr Sohaib Saeed: “How to Explore the Quran: One Ayah at a Time”. This is a simple guide that will help you explore Quran.com, guide you on utilizing some of its key features, and, as a result, enhance your overall engagement with the Quran.
Conclusion
May Allah allow us to truly prepare our hearts for Ramadan. May He enable us to be among those who truly appreciate His Book, and according to its teachings. The poet Allamah Muhammad Iqbal (d.1938) said, towards the end of his life, while urging Muslims to reflect upon the Quran: "I say to you what I believe in and adhere to: It is not merely a book, it is more than that. When it enters the heart, it transforms the individual, and when the individual changes, the world changes. It is a living, eternal, and speaking book."
May Allah bless your preparations for Ramadan and enable you to enter the blessed month in a state that allows you to make the vital changes your soul will benefit from in this life and beyond. May Allah bless you in the month of Sha'ban and allow us to make those crucial changes in Ramadan.
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