The purpose of reciting and engaging with the Quran is to reflect upon it, and for it to have a transformative impact on your life and your mental wellbeing.

أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا

Will they not then reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks upon their hearts? [47:24]

The great advantage of pursuing Hifdh is that you have the opportunity and time to think about each verse in greater depth as you memorise.

Arabic is a tool to understand the Quran. If you don’t know Arabic yet, or are not able to learn it, matching words and reading the translation and listening to the Tafsir through online resources (e.g. YouTube) is a temporary way of fulfilling the purpose of reflection. We live in a time of information, and we have virtually no excuse to say we don’t have the means to understand!

Learning Arabic will help you understand nuances to a greater depth and help you appreciate the linguistic miracle. You feel the meaning when you recite, which inspires your recitation to match the Tafsir.

Keep in mind that the Quran is Allah’s direct speech, and the guidance is what makes the Quran become the spring of your heart and the removal of your sorrows.

When you understand, you can engage emotionally with the verses, rejoicing at verses of glad tidings, weeping at verses of punishment, and feeling deep humility and awe at the infinite wisdoms that resonate with you at different stages of your life.

If you are busy with the Quran, praise Allah because He facilitated this for you. If you have had a period of your life where you did not read your daily wird as you once used to, you will appreciate the blessing of becoming busy with the Quran even more.

وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَمَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ

But this cannot be attained except by those who are patient and who are truly fortunate. [41:35]

Resources in English

  • Tafsir Applications – If it’s not practical for you to use hard copy books, consider using applications. You can access Tafsirs such as Tafsir lbn Kathir through dedicated applications. They’re particularly convenient as the detailed explanation is organised by verse, so you can easily find the verses relevant to you.

Resources in Arabic

Taysīr al-Ḥifḍh (تيسير الحفظ ) – Ebook | Android App | IOS

  • The platform is dedicated to helping memorisers of the Quran.
  • Verses and parts of verses are colour-coded according to similar words/phrases, similar endings (rhymes), keywords that are unique or attention-grabbing, and links in ideas/themes across multiple verses. The colour coding acts like a visual guide, making it easier to spot similarities, differences, and key points, which supports faster and stronger memorisation.
  • It has notes on Tafsir, Tadabbur, parsing (اعراب), reasons for revelation (أسباب النزول) and a “Study Page” feature ( مدارسة الصفحة) where there are video lessons of a teacher explaining the colour-coded patterns (word, meaning and theme links), a summary of the Tafsir, and points of reflection and action. It even gives a mindmap of the Ṣūrah so you have an idea of how the Sūrah’s themes/topics progress.
  • القرآن تدبر وعمل (Al-Qurʾān Tadabbur wa-ʿAmal) – Ebook | PDF | Android | IOS
    • “The Qur’an: Reflection and Action” is a comprehensive, well-structured, and specialised curriculum designed to train individuals in reflecting upon the Noble Qur’an and acting upon it, according to the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamāʿah. Each page of the Mushaf (15-page Uthmani Script copy) is accompanied by four main sections:
      • Reflective Stops (الوقفات التدبرية) – Each page includes seven reflection points highlighting the main objectives of the verses, such as faith, ethics, and education. These are drawn from sixteen trusted tafsīr books, guiding learners to deeply contemplate the meanings.
      • Vocabulary Explanation (شرح المفردات) – Key words and phrases from the page are explained clearly, helping learners understand the language and context essential for reflection.
      • Practical Application (التطبيق العملي) – This section links reflection to real-life action, offering practical guidance on applying the teachings of each verse.
      • Memorisation Aid (معين الحفظ) – Provides memorisation tips and techniques tailored to each page, integrating memorisation with understanding and reflection.

PARTS IN THIS SERIES

  1. Introduction
  2. Errors in Recitation
  3. Stuck on a Difficult Verse
  4. Similar Verses (المُتَشَابِهَات)
  5. Struggling to Recall How the Next Verse/Page Starts
  6. Struggling to Recalling How Verses End
  7. Forgetting
  8. Being Consistent
  9. Lack of Motivation
  10. Difficulty Focusing
  11. Not Reflecting and Understanding
  12. Reflections & Resources