A small, steady practice with the Quran

Many Muslims carry a quiet sense that they should be reading more Quran. The intention is sincere, but the picture in our minds is often too large: an hour a day, a whole juz’, fluent Arabic. When the picture is that large, it is easy never to begin.

This reading suggests something smaller, and therefore easier to keep: a few minutes, one passage, read with its meaning.

Within your capacity

لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا

Allah tasketh not a soul beyond its scope.

Quran 2:286 (part) · Surah Al-Baqara . Arabic: Tanzil Uthmani text. English: translation by M. M. Pickthall (1930), a rendering of meaning and not the Quran itself.

Introductory explanation

This is the opening of the final verse of Surah Al-Baqarah. It speaks about what Allah requires of each person: nothing beyond what that person is able to bear.

Reflection

The verse is about religious obligation, not reading habits. Still, its spirit is a helpful reminder when we plan our own voluntary efforts. A practice sized to your actual life, one you can keep on a tired day, is worth more to you than an ambitious plan you abandon in a week.

Slowly, and with attention

أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ تَرْتِيلًا

Or add (a little) thereto - and chant the Qur'an in measure,

Quran 73:4 · Surah Al-Muzzammil . Arabic: Tanzil Uthmani text. English: translation by M. M. Pickthall (1930), a rendering of meaning and not the Quran itself.

Introductory explanation

The verse is addressed to the Prophet, in the opening verses of Surah Al-Muzzammil, about recitation in the night prayer. Tartil, translated by Pickthall as “chant … in measure,” describes recitation that is measured and unhurried, giving each word its due.

Reflection

Reading slowly is not a lesser way of reading. A single verse read with attention can stay with you all day in a way that pages read quickly rarely do.

Made easy to remember

وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍۢ

And in truth We have made the Qur'an easy to remember; but is there any that remembereth?

Quran 54:17 · Surah Al-Qamar . Arabic: Tanzil Uthmani text. English: translation by M. M. Pickthall (1930), a rendering of meaning and not the Quran itself.

Introductory explanation

This verse appears several times in Surah Al-Qamar, like a refrain. The word translated “to remember,” dhikr, also carries the sense of taking heed.

Reflecting on what we read

كِتَٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَٰرَكٌۭ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓا۟ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

(This is) a Scripture that We have revealed unto thee, full of blessing, that they may ponder its revelations, and that men of understanding may reflect.

Quran 38:29 · Surah Saad . Arabic: Tanzil Uthmani text. English: translation by M. M. Pickthall (1930), a rendering of meaning and not the Quran itself.

Introductory explanation

The Arabic word translated “ponder” comes from tadabbur: considering something carefully, thinking about where it leads. The verse describes reflection as one of the purposes for which the Quran was sent down.

A simple way to begin

These are suggestions, not rules. Adjust them to your life.

Choose a time you already have. After one of the daily prayers works well for many people, because the habit attaches to something you already do.
Keep it to five minutes. Set the bar low enough that you can meet it on your hardest day. On easier days you will often want to continue.
Read a small passage with its meaning. If you read Arabic, read the passage in Arabic and then in translation. If you do not read Arabic yet, read the translation and listen to a recitation of the same verses. Learning to read the Arabic script, a few letters at a time, is a worthwhile goal of its own.
Write down one thing. A word that stood out, a phrase you want to remember, or a question.
Keep your questions. When a verse raises a question about belief or practice, write it down and take it to a qualified teacher you trust, rather than settling it on your own from a translation.
Return to the same passage. There is no need to move on every day. Reading the same verses for a week is a good way to come to know them.

When you miss a day

You will miss days. Everyone does. The practice is not broken; begin again at the next prayer. Five minutes after a gap is far better than waiting for the “right” moment to restart.

A closing supplication

وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًۭا

My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.

Quran 20:114 (part) · Surah Taa-Haa . Arabic: Tanzil Uthmani text. English: translation by M. M. Pickthall (1930), a rendering of meaning and not the Quran itself.

These four words in Arabic appear within a longer verse. They are short enough to memorize today, and to say before you open the Quran tomorrow.

Sources and credits

Quran text. Arabic of 2:286 (part), 73:4, 54:17, 38:29 and 20:114 (part) from the Tanzil Project Uthmani text, reproduced without alteration; checked against the Quran.com (Quran Foundation) Uthmani text. tanzil.net
Translation. M. M. Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran (1930). Public domain.

This is introductory educational material, not a religious ruling. Quran references can be checked in any printed mushaf. See our approach for how readings are prepared and sourced.

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