Wehib Abdulwase Kurtu
All praise is due to Allah, the Almighty, who revealed the Quran in the blessed month of Ramadan. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad, whose character was the embodiment of the Quran. May Allah be pleased with his companions, who conveyed the complete message of Islam to the world, and to those who follow in their footsteps until the Day of Judgment.
Ramadan: The Month of the Quran
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a time of heightened spiritual awareness, not only for Muslims but also for others who witness its profound impact. Like the waxing and waning of the crescent moon that marks its beginning and end, Ramadan swiftly arrives, carrying opportunities for immense spiritual growth, and then departs, leaving behind the records of our deeds until the Day of Judgment.
The Quran and Ramadan are inseparable. Throughout this sacred month, our engagement with the Quran—whether through recitation, contemplation, or listening—fuels our spiritual journey. Ramadan is the vehicle, and those who dedicate themselves to the Quran are its passengers, bound for Paradise through the gate of Rayyan, reserved exclusively for those who fast. A beautiful reminder often shared is: “May your happiness grow in magnitude as you immerse yourself in the Holy Quran.”
However, this sacred journey is not without obstacles. To stay focused, we must be mindful of distractions—unnecessary outings to the Ramadan market, television programs (especially those featuring competitions and prizes), mobile phones, and digital applications. These must be tamed and controlled so they do not divert us from our ultimate goal.
True fulfillment in Ramadan does not come from the iftar meal, but from the nourishment of the soul through the words of Allah. Abstaining from food, drink, and desires from dawn to sunset is an essential act of obedience, but it is the Quran that illuminates our path and intercedes for us in the hereafter.
“The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:185) The Quran is a source of life and guidance throughout the year, but in Ramadan, its impact is unparalleled. Those who strengthen their connection with it—whether by reading, reflecting, or memorizing—elevate their status in the sight of Allah, the Almighty.
The Prophet (PBUH) and the Quran in Ramadan
During the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), Jibreel (Gabriel, peace be upon him) would visit him every Ramadan to review the Quran. This sacred interaction intensified in the Prophet’s final Ramadan when Jibreel reviewed the entire Quran with him twice. The Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) generosity during Ramadan was extraordinary—faster than the wind bringing rain. His joy in engaging with the Quran was unparalleled. He gave freely from Allah’s bounties without fear of poverty, embodying the essence of spiritual and material generosity.
Unlike many today who focus on preparing elaborate iftar meals, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) devoted himself to worship, fasting, and reciting the Holy Quran. The rewards of engaging with the Quran are immeasurable. Each letter recited from the Holy Quran earns ten rewards, but in Ramadan, only Allah knows the magnitude of the multiplied blessings. As the Hadith states:
“Fasting is for Me, and I will reward it accordingly.” Indeed, this divine promise is as boundless as His infinite mercy, beyond human comprehension.
My Personal Journey with the Quran in Ramadan
Reflecting on my own journey with the Quran in Ramadan, I often wonder: What has Allah, the Almighty, said about me? No one—neither my mother nor my father—has ever spoken to me in the way Allah, the Almighty, has through His revelation.
I was lifeless, and He gave me life from a mere drop of fluid. He nurtured me in the darkness of my mother’s womb, layer upon layer, until birth. He provided me with sustenance, clothed my nakedness, allotted a name and enabled me to grow in strength. He commanded me to live righteously: to worship Him alone, honor my parents, respect my relatives, show kindness to neighbors and strangers, establish a family, raise children with good character, and benefit others.
Through my journey with the Quran, I have learned that life is temporary, that death is inevitable, and that the grave is but a transition to the Hereafter. I have understood that I will stand before Allah, the Almighty, the Most Just, to receive my final recompense—either Paradise or Hell.
Every individual’s journey with the Quran in Ramadan is unique, yet one truth remains: our relationship with the Quran shapes our path in this life and determines our destiny in the next. The Quran is both our guide and our judge, our light and our intercessor.
Happy Quran month
May this Ramadan be a time of deep connection with the Holy Quran. May it illuminate our hearts, free us from whims and caprice, transform our lives, and guide us to eternal success.
