Ramadan always shifts my perspective. It forces me to slow down, reflect, and reset my priorities. Every year, I tell myself I’ll connect with the Quran on a deeper level, but somehow, life gets in the way. This time, though, I’m really asking myself: Am I just reading the Quran, or am I actually engaging with it?

Reading vs. Reflecting

We all grew up knowing the Quran is meant to be read, recited, and memorized. But is that all it’s supposed to be? Allah says:

“[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.”

(Surah Sad 38:29)

The Quran isn’t just a book of words—it’s a conversation with Allah. Yet, how many times do we read without truly reflecting? I can finish a Juz in a day, but if I don’t take time to think about what I’ve read, what did I really gain?

I don’t want to just go through the motions. I want the Quran to change me.

The Quran: Guidance, Healing, and Mercy

One ayah that always hits different:

“And We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers…”

(Surah Al-Isra 17:82)

The Quran is literally a cure—for our hearts, our struggles, our doubts. But just like medicine, it only works if we actually take it in. If I rush through recitation just to say I finished, I’m not really benefiting from its healing power.

Making the Quran Personal Again

So this Ramadan, I’m trying something new. Instead of aiming for speed, I’m focusing on depth.

• One ayah at a time. I pause and ask: What is Allah telling me? How does this apply to my life?

• Journaling my thoughts. Writing down the verses that stand out and why they resonate.

• Reading Tafsir. Getting the full context instead of making my own assumptions.

• Turning ayahs into duas. When I read about patience, I ask for it. When I read about Allah’s mercy, I beg for His forgiveness.

Ramadan: The Best Time to Reset

Allah says:

“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)

Ramadan is the month of the Quran. If there’s ever a time to build a stronger connection, it’s now. Not just for the sake of completing a reading goal, but to actually live by its words.

Final Thoughts

I don’t want to finish Ramadan just saying, “I completed the Quran.” I want to say, “I understood it. I lived it. It changed me.”

So if you’re like me—someone who reads but sometimes forgets to reflect—maybe it’s time to slow down. Because at the end of the day, the Quran isn’t just a book to read. It’s a guide to follow.

May Allah allow us to build a meaningful connection with His words. Ameen.

References:

1. The Quran:

• Surah Sad 38:29 (Quran.com)

• Surah Al-Isra 17:82 (Quran.com)

• Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185 (Quran.com)