What would you say if I could offer you a Ramadan hack that will make this year’s Ramadan one that is remembered forever? Even if you haven’t made any real gains yet this Ramadan, I still stand by this guarantee! This hack will truly allow you to make this Ramadan a means for you to connect with the Qur’an on a level that many rarely do throughout the year let alone during these blessed 30 days.
How can this be possible you might ask?
It is possible, but only if we move away from focusing on “goals” that merely live, exist, and die within the month of Ramadan. Such “goals” are usually superficial, ritualistic, and often part of the cultural Islam we’ve all inherited. This results in simply checking off the right boxes but involves little to know emphasis on reflecting upon what these goals mean, and how they can, and should, be a means for us to change our current states into a better and more refined version of ourselves. One such example is the annual goal of ensuring we finish reading/reciting the entire Qur’an (either individually or collectively), yet with little to no concern given to how much of it we understand, retain, or more importantly implement once Ramadan has come and gone.
So what am suggesting?
Here it is: I believe, a ridiculously simple way (Hack) for many of us to have a unforgettable experience this Ramadan and beyond is through a revived relationship with the Qur’an.
One simply finds one of the many resources that summarizes each surah or chapter of the Qur’an (Qur’an Hive or The Qur’an project) and divides these summaries amongst the remaining days of Ramadan. Yes, that’s its! Its that simple (hence the word hack). OK wait, before you toggle to another app, hear me out. This hack is simple, but that is why it is likely often overlooked, but its potential is endless. It breaksdown what many may consider an intimidating or daunting feat: approaching the Qur’an. Often we hear or come across lessons from particular ayat or verses from the Qur’an, or as in the case of Ramadan we are racing to reach the finish line at the end of the 30th Juz causing many of us to perhaps miss this simple way to ensure we have, albeit very general, an overview of what the Qur’an is telling us as mankind.
Imagine, how many of us have never read the entire Qur’an, let alone understand what is going on in each and every chapter. Yes, we may have heard many ayat but many of us go through life not really knowing the Qur’an even at this basic level let alone one that is deeper and more significant. It will give us a reference point upon which to rely on, and more importantly, build upon for years to come.
By performing this simple hack and allowing one a very basic overview of what is discussed throughout the Qur’an, it then allows the Qur’an to truly start becoming a reference and resource for that person’s life. So when they undergo the challenges of life, or are in need of sincere advice, or are feeling depressed, anxious, or alone, they can turn to the Qur’an with familiarity, and with confidence that they will find the guidance and solace they seek. Even during good times when certain chapters or Surahs are mentioned they will already have an understanding of what stories, lessons, discussions, subject matter or topics are being discussed and can be reminded.
“… indeed, the reminder benefits the believers.”(Quran 51:55)
So once the collective efforts of worship and the introspective state of fasting has come and gone, and when the challenging situations of life return, this Ramadan hack will begin to bear its fruits.
Now will this Ramadan hack work for you? Well, it depends. It depends on how much value we give to knowing the Qur’an. It depends on whether one truly believes that the Qur’an is a miracle in an of itself, by way of the transformational guidance and inexhaustible wisdom it contains. It depends on how in need we are of having hearts that is able to find tranquillity and contentment. It depends on how vital societal justice is to us, and more importantly how much we are inclined to prepare for not only this life but the life to come. It depends on us knowing and believing that the Qur’an, along with the Sunnah, are the perfect solutions for these and more.
Uthman bin Affan (ra) reported: The Prophet (saw) said, “The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.”Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī
The hadith tells us of the high status for the one who teaches, practices, and learns the Qur’an. The Qur’an is Huda (guidance), it’s Noor (light) for this world and anyone who engages with it. It is Dhikr, and a reminder to spark a remembrance of our purpose and our destination. When we talk about a Ramadan hack it is actually a hack that can start us on our journey to a better understanding and a more fulfilling life, Insha ‘Allah.
