Building a daily Quran habit

You now know where the Quran came from, how to start reading it, and two passages that Muslims recite every night. The last step is the one that makes all of this last: a small daily habit. Not a big plan that falls apart after a week, but something gentle you can keep for life.

Small and steady

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, who reported this hadith, would keep up any good deed once she started it. Ten minutes with the Quran every day, kept up for months, will carry you much further than one long session followed by weeks of nothing.

Recite slowly

In a passage about the Prophet's night prayer, Allah told him to stand for part of the night, half of it, a little less, or more, and then:

Or add to it, and recite the Qur'an with measured recitation.

Quran 73:4 (Saheeh International translation of the meaning)

"Measured recitation" (tartil) means reciting calmly and without rushing, pronouncing the letters clearly and pausing in the right places. For you, this means quality over speed. Five verses read slowly, with their meaning, are a beautiful practice.

Listening counts too

Listening to the Quran is also a way to learn, and a door to Allah's mercy. He says:

So when the Qur'an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.

Quran 7:204 (Saheeh International translation of the meaning)

Listen to a clear, trusted reciter while you commute, cook, or rest. Following the text with your eyes while you listen trains your ear and your reading at the same time.

Tie it to a prayer

The easiest way to remember a new habit is to attach it to something you already do. You already pray five times a day. Choose one prayer, for example Fajr (the dawn prayer) or Isha (the night prayer), and give the Quran ten minutes right after it.

Once you have memorized something, such as Ayat al-Kursi, keep reviewing it. The Prophet said:

Keep on reciting this Qur'an, for by the One in Whose Hand my soul is, the Qur'an slips away from memory faster than camels escaping their tying ropes.

Sahih al-Bukhari 5033 and Sahih Muslim 791 (agreed upon)

If you miss a day, do not give up and do not be hard on yourself. Simply come back the next day and continue from where you stopped. A habit is built by returning, not by never missing.

You have finished this step. Check what you have learned below, and then continue to the next step: the life of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

Sources

• Sahih al-Bukhari 6464 and Sahih Muslim 783 (opens in a new tab)

• Quran 73:4 (Saheeh International translation) (opens in a new tab)

• Quran 7:204 (Saheeh International translation) (opens in a new tab)

• Quran 16:98 (Saheeh International translation) (opens in a new tab)

• Sahih al-Bukhari 5033 and Sahih Muslim 791 (agreed upon) (opens in a new tab)