As a Muslim, all of us learn to read the Arabic language and Quran when we grow up. Actually, this is the first lesson we get from an outside tutor.
I personally learned to read the Quran for four times in my life.
First, when I was a kid. Me and my cousins used to go to Maktab (an Islamic educational institution in a village) and learned to read Arabic letters and sentences, the 30th Juzz/Para of the Quran etc.
Second, after growing a little, probably at around 6 or 7 years of age. That time my parents realized that I was not strong at reading the Quran. One of our neighbors, an Islamic Studies’ student used to come to teach me reciting the whole Quran.
Third, when I was around high school, probably at around 14 or 15 years of age. My parents once again realized that I forgot everything I used to know because of not being in my regular practice.
One Imam was appointed to complete me the whole Quran once again. Besides, he taught me how to read Salah and complete all the good practices of Islam. Once again I learned to read and write Arabic language back then.
The most astonishing and shameful incident was that again I almost forgot to read the Quran. After many years of the third attempt taken, I realized I don’t know to how to recite the Quran properly.
That was a true SELF call.
All those effort and spending of my parents went in vain!
I was effortless and hopeless as I didn’t practice.
Fourth, after the event of that relative’s death, I realized so hard that I should be learning it once again. It was around 27 years of my age.
I had three very clear WHYs in my mind:
- To be able to read the Quran when any of my own family members die. At least a few verses and Suras from my own, not just by hiring people from the outside.
- To make this statement true someday. The Prophet, Sallallahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, said, “Whoever reads the Quran, learns it, and acts in accordance with it, on the Day of Resurrection, his parents will be given a crown to wear whose light will be like the light of the sun, and his parents will be given garments which far surpass everything that is found in this world. They will say, ‘Why have we been given this to wear?’ It will be said, ‘Because your child learned the Quran.’” [Al-Haakim; Al-Albaani: authentic, in Saheeh At-Targheeb.
- To make a connection with Allah SWT, the most benevolent to my life. He protected me against all the odds I could ever realize.
How Long Does It Take To Read The Quran
Allah SWT blessed me. Alhamdulillah!
As the WHY was clear to me, the HOW was very easy eventually.
It was difficult for me to hire another person for me back then. So, I decided to take help from the Web Search. I found a book and ordered online.
When the book reached at my home, I started reading and learning it once again. Besides, I took help from my cousin who is a Hafez (a person who has the entire Quran in his memory).
It took me around a month to grasp all the lessons. It was the month of Ramadan 2019 and it was quite easy for me to concentrate.
Before the month of Ramadan was over, I started reading the Quran from the beginning. The plan was as solid as possible:
- Try to complete a single page within 5 minutes by keeping the proper recitation.
- Completing at least 2 pages every single day.
- Completing the whole Quran (612 pages) within the month of Ramadan 2020. Around 306 days would have taken. Even if I missed some days, it would be easy to complete within a year.
By the blessings of Almighty I could manage to complete the same in the month of Ramadan 2020.
From that point in time, the habit came into reality to try to recite 2-4 pages every single day.
I was happy that I could take the challenge.
I was happy that I found my own WHY, rather than somebody forcing me to do it.
In the very end, I am so thankful to my parents who took several attempts to teach and correct me more than they were supposed to. I am so thankful to all those teachers, who made their effort to bring me into the light.
Above all, the one who turned my fear into quietness – the most benevolent, Allah SWT.
He who lightened everything.
He who gave me Hidayat (Guidance and Instruction). Because he is the only owner of this.
