Hook Up with the Quran, Allah Will Hook You Up
Part I | Part II
Veiled from sight, a young woman walked down the streets of Cairo, reciting Qur’an to herself and thinking about her goals. She loved the Qur’an and was passionate about studying and teaching it. She wanted to move to Saudi Arabia, where she knew of Qur’anic scholars from whom she dreamt of learning. She was mesmerized by Makkah and Madinah; she’d find herself spending hours making du`a’ (supplication) to visit the House of her Lord in Ramadan, to make the journey of Hajj, to walk through the land of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him). Working on a Master’s degree and traveling for hours in traffic to come to her students’ homes and teach them Qur’an never caused her to complain. She was constantly working on reviewing her Qur’an; she had memorized it completely from years past and she continued to review it to ensure it never left her heart.
Suddenly, she was stopped by a random lady on the road. “Excuse me,” the lady inquired, peering into the eyes of the girl whose heart burned with the inscription of the Words of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (swt), whose face was veiled by her niqab, whose hands were covered by gloves, and whose body was cloaked by a long, flowing outer garment. “Are you married or engaged?” the lady asked. Staring at the lady, the young woman replied in the negative: hesitant, yet curious at such a loaded question from a random passerby. Considering her outer dress, the strange lady certainly was not asking because she found the young woman to be ridiculously beautiful. “I have a brother,” the lady explained. “He’s Egyptian, but he lives in Saudi Arabia. He has memorized the entire Qur’an. He has qualifications to teach it. He’s looking to get married. Might you be interested?”
Incredulous, the young woman exchanged information with the random woman on the street. Soon, their families initiated contact and within weeks, the brother of the strange lady had come to visit the young woman and her family. With time, prayers, and lots of consultation, the young woman finally agreed. She would marry the young man with whom she would live in Saudi Arabia, the young man who helped her plan to make Hajj that very year, the young man who had already memorized the Qur’an and who had dedicated his heart to the Book of Allah (swt). This young man, now her husband, was introduced to her by a random lady on the road.
This is the story of how my Qur’an teacher was united with her better half. She had devoted her life to the Qur’an and to her studies. She focused on her objectives of being a servant of Allah (swt) and of His Book, and maintained that focus in every aspect of her life. I would never have imagined that she would get married to someone who was the missing piece to everything she was looking for and even more. I should have realized that my puny imagination is nothing in comparison to Allah’s Power and Decree. Allah (swt) hooked up my Qur’an teacher big time and it could easily be argued that it was because she hooked up with the Book of Allah (swt).
Hooking up with Allah (swt) means being hooked up in the best of ways in every realm of life. Marriage, graduate school, studying overseas, relationship with one’s parents, getting a job, passing the SATs with high scores… you dream of it, yearn for it… who’s going to really give it to you? Your Facebook friends? Or the Lord and Ruler of all the Worlds (swt)?
Allah, the Exalted, has told us in a sacred hadith, “…the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon them; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing nawafil (voluntary prayers or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) until I love them, (so much so that) I become the hearing with which they hear, and the sight with which they see, and the hand with which they strike, and the leg with which they walk; and if they ask Me something, I will surely give them, and if they seek My Protection (refuge), I will surely protect them.”
Get this: Allah (swt) might not give you exactly what you want when you beg of Him in supplication, but because He loves you, He’ll always give you something better. The Prophet ﷺ has taught us, “Any Muslim who supplicates to Allah in a du`a’ which contains no sin or breaking of kinship, Allah (swt) will give him one of three things: either his du`a’ will be immediately answered; or it will be saved for him in the hereafter; or it will turn away an equivalent amount of evil (from him).” The companions said, “So we will ask for more.” He replied, “Allahu Akthar”–Allah is even more. More than whatever they ask, more than whatever we all ask.
Maybe marriage isn’t actually great for you and maybe that specific job won’t actually be everything which you’ve dreamed. There are numerous uncertainties regarding the outcome of our affairs. However, without doubt, when we hook up with Allah, if we’re sincere and determined to work, we can be certain that He will always guide us to whatever will ultimately bring us eternal happiness.
So, how can we hook up with Allah? How can we be of those who do our best to do obligatory actions and then run to our Lord through extra acts of worship?
Let’s take my Qur’an teacher’s example – let’s hook up with the Qur’an! Let’s make the intention to become the people of the Qur’an! Let’s begin by believing with certainty that we want to make a connection with Allah’s Words; that we want the Qur’an to play a pivotal role in our lives. Once we’ve made that commitment, bi’ithnillah (with the permission of Allah), here’s a suggested plan of action:
- If we’re in school, at work, have family or other obligations and are already squeezed for time, let’s make a commitment to begin by reading the Qur’an on a daily basis and in a language we understand because the point is to understand it and make that crazy strong connection with it.
- Suggestion for those of us who just can not get off our laptops and always lament wasting time: make a sticky note to put somewhere on your laptop which reads something like, “Have you hooked up with Kitab Allah today?” or “[Your name here], don’t you want Allah (swt) to hook you up?” Hooking up with Allah (swt) is beyond any hooking up we can do over social media and will bring us ridiculous quantities of benefit in this life and the next insha’Allah!
- If you are not yet able to read Arabic, keep up with reading the translation, and when you can, try to begin learning the language of the Qur’an. There are a ton of online programs for this now. However, never let language stop you from connecting with the Qur’an. Read the translation in any language with which you find easiest to connect, and with time, you will insha’Allah be pleasantly shocked at how much you’re finding your personal perspective to be one of the Qur’anic narrative.
- If you already know how to read Arabic but don’t understand what you’re reading: begin by setting an amount of Qur’an that you’ll read every day in both the Arabic and translation. For example, if I know I’m intensely busy and updating my Facebook is also a significant part of my life, let me make a commitment to start with just five verses a day, both in English and in Arabic, and let me make sure I don’t sleep without doing my Qur’an for that day.
- If you can make a commitment from now to memorize the Qur’an, start looking for a teacher who can help you with tajweed and once you’re ready, memorization. If you can’t find anyone in your area, then find a Qur’an buddy near you who can help you read and learn the basics until you find someone who can fully teach you. If you live in the middle of nowhere and there’s really no one near you at all, search online for programs which teach tajweed which you can do via Skype or other means from your own home. Readers, please comment with online programs you recommend! If you have no one but know how to read with passing tajweed, just start! Set a goal for yourself, write it down, and work on moving forward weekly. Thus, within a month, instead of having never opened the Qur’an, insha’Allah you’ll have perhaps even an entire new chapter memorized!
- Finally, if sometimes you feel apathetic, find yourself slipping, or realize that your heart is feeling bored with trying to make a connection with the Qur’an, change your mindset. Stand up, say bismillah (in the name of Allah) and seek refuge with Allah (swt) from the accursed Devil. Jump up and call in a loud and exciting voice with an enormous grin on your face, “THE QUR’AN IS MY BEST FRIEND!!!” Maybe it’s not completely true yet, but insha’Allah with enough convincing, and moving your body in an excitable way, your total physical response to the Qur’an combined with your newfound daily relationship with the Book of Allah, will help your neurons make positive connections which they will soon need more than your lungs need air.
Let’s make the Qur’an our best friend! When we’re sad, lonely, depressed and frustrated, let’s say, “I needa vent with the Book of Allah,” and just recite it all out. We will find ourselves connecting with Allah’s Words, awed by the relevance of His Book to the exact tribulation we’re experiencing. When we’re elated, let’s say, “I can’t wait to tell all of this to my best friend” and run to the Qur’an! Not excited? Fake it till you convince yourself to make it, insha’Allah! Insha’Allah we will be shocked at the fact that even though we’ve read the same surah (chapter) a hundred times over, we don’t remember ever reading the very same dynamic words before. And when we’re too busy, let’s realize how eager we’d be if some public figure we thought was amazing just called us up on our cells. Wouldn’t we make time, wouldn’t our adrenaline suddenly rush when we see whose actually calling us?
So then, let’s rush with that same vigor to drop everything and make time for the most important One – the Rabb al `alameen, the Lord of the Worlds. Let’s develop a strong relationship with the Words which He has revealed to take us from the darknesses of this life to the one light and to help us be a means of benefit in society.
The Prophet ﷺ taught us, “The Companions of the Qur’an are the people of Allah, and His favored people” [Nisai]. Let us be of Allah’s favored people – those who work to recite the Qur’an by day and night, work to memorize, understand, and live by it! Let us consciously decide to strive to take it as our best friend!
Whatever we’re seeking, in this life or the next, let’s hook up with the Book of Allah and have certainty that because of the sincerity of our investment, Allah (swt) will hook us up in whatever ways are best.
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Beautiful Post…
May Allah (SWT) give us the wisdom to understand and act upon the right path…
SubhanAllah! Beautiful article that came along at just the right time. Allah indeed is Gracious & Merciful <3
Read it everyday, done.
Read it both in arabic and translation, done.
Read it with tadjweed, done.
Read it with teacher & friends via skype, done.
Memorizing it, next step, amien.
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Allamin
Salamualaykum,
thank you for yet another reminder, and may Allah (SWT) reward you greatly for it.
As for those who want to learn to read and write arabic, learn tajweed or help with memorization with dedicated teachers, here is a great website that you can visit:
http://www.quranseekers.com
The courses are conducted over skype, you set a schedule that suits you, and subhanallah, you’ll be surprised how quickly you learn.
Assalaamu alaikum
Allahu Akbar! That was an awesome article! Thanks for the motivation
Mariam-You have no idea how much this article has inspired me! I am really going to use your pointers next time I find myself wasting time! JazakAllah Khair! keep writing these great pieces!
Beautiful reminder-jazaki’Allahu khayran
Quraan is most certainly a very pleasant addiction- you just have to get your daily fix- otherwise your day just isnt the same!
Subhanallah, after reading this article
Subhanallah,came across this article posted by one of fb frenz. it is an eye opener n gain insight on the importance of reading the Quran.. insyaallah with Allah’s grace n help will need to perk up in this area.. ameen
You have helped me so much, I was down in the dumps, with no one to talk to but myself, May Allah give you the best.
You always have Allah Bro!
You always have Allah Bro! Reminding yourself of the 99 names of Allah may help
– http://www.sufism.org/society/asma/
Asalamu Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wabarakatuhu,
I strongly recommend Al Huda Institute for sisters (www.alhudainstitute.ca) They have online Taleem al Quraan courses, where you learn the tafseer and memorize the word to word translation of the entire qur’an! They also teach tajweed and other subjects. Even if you’re a beginner who is struggling with reciting fluently (like I was!), this is the perfect program.
I’m taking Taleem Al Quran 2010 right now and alhamdulilah I can understand most of the Arabic text, without translation.
I never knew I could do this, Alhamdulillah for the opportunity. May Allah grant us all success and the ability to develop love and attachment with the Quran. Ameen.
Go to http://www.alhudainstitute.ca > Courses > Online Courses and from there on, go to “English courses”
They have part time as well as full time courses.
Walaikum assalam, yes I have heard about Al Huda Institute, its the perfect thing for us beginners. JazakiAllah khairan sister
Jazakallah sister An-Nahl for the link.
I am too a student of Taleem al Quran 2011, and alhumdulillah it is the best thing that ever happened to me. I have improved my tajweed, arabic, grammer, and tafseer.
May Allah keep us steadfast. Ameen
Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
Jazakallahu Khaira for this beautiful piece.
If anybody wants to learn tajweed online from a qualified teacher (FREE!). I’m saying this from my personal online learning experience. You will enjoy learning Tajweed. I recommend you to visit the following links
1. Makharij Videos (Points of articulation)
http://www.tajweedinenglish.com/watch-the-video/watch-makharij-videos
2. Tajweed Audio Lessons 1-30.
http://www.tajweedinenglish.com/listen-online/tajweed-lesson-1-30
Teacher – Khaled Bouchafaa is a highly qualified teacher and has been teaching Quran and tajweed for the last 22 years in various Islamic colleges and masjids. Currently, he is a teacher of Quran in the largest Islamic School of Australia, is a volunteer Imam and provides tajweed lessons in English and Arabic in his local area. He has been authorised by the Qurra to teach this sacred knowledge of tajweed and Quran.
I love this article, jazakAllah khayr. May Allah reward us all for our efforts
Currently I am taking a part-time, online Classical Arabic course from http://shariahprogram.ca. Even though I’m only a beginner, I must say it is AMAZING. There’s even a free Arabic Alphabet course if you’re not confident on that. This program is unique in a sense that most other Arabic courses lean towards MODERN and conversational Arabic, but this is specially designed for understanding and appreciating the literary miracles of the Quran. Try it out, there’s even a free trial! Love u all for the sake of Allah, my brothers n sisters in Islam! A sis from Singapore, xoxo 
Jazaakillahu khairan for such a timely reminder.
I highly recommend:
http://www.madinaharabic.net
They have programs of one-to-one sessions with students.
Allahu Akbar, I love this reminder. May Allah make us all people of the Quran and make the Quran the spring of our hearts.
Salam alaikum,
Good article mashallah sister.
For Tajweed, I recommend http://www.tajweedinenglish.com.
It’s really awesome, better check it out soon.
You asked that commenters recommend a good website for learning tajweed. For English speaking Muslims who want to learn tajweed (or use as a teaching resource), visit
http://heesbees.wordpress.com
This website contains detailed tajweed rules per post. And the author warmly welcomes any questions regarding tajweed, makhaarijul huroof or sifaatul huroof.
I ask Allah to perfect our intentions and keep us firm on His religion.
Jazak’Allahu Khairan – have loved both parts to this topic and have shared it with those near and dear. Super duper beneficial for all of us in a general sense and of course, us singles out there.
JazakiAllahu khairan ukhti, very inspiring article mashAllaah!
ameen to the dua
JazakiAllah khairan
Salam,
Masha Allah very nice article.May Allah reward you for this .Ameen. I wanted to share some of the best websites i have come accross.
http://www.lqtoronto.com/ [ Intensive Arabic Lang Learning course-very interesting ]
http://understandquran.com/ [ Excellent for begining ]
http://wp.farhathashmi.com/ [ Great for Tafsir and Islamic Talks ]
http://www.emuslim.com/ [ Word for word eng translation of whole quran - amazing and extremely useful]
Jazak Allah Khairun
Assalamu ‘alaikum.
May Allah bless you for the nice reminder. My Qur’an teacher always reminds us of just what u stated above….that if we become serious with Qur’an, then Allah will honour and raise us both in dunya and akhirah.
May Allah grant him & u jannah for such wonderful reminders.
Assalamualaykum,
thnx for such a great informative article, plz keep it up,
As for those who want to learn to read and write arabic, learn tajweed or help with memorization with dedicated teachers, here is a great website that you can visit:
http://www.Readquranbook.com
The courses are conducted over skype, you set a schedule that suits you, and subhanallah, you’ll be surprised how quickly you learn.
Assalam o alaikum,
good job bro,
I recently joined an online quran learning school that provides online quran courses, I just wanna say that the online teaching method of http://www.onlinequrancourses.com is amazingly awesome, they also provide online tajweed, quran memorization and translation classes for USA, Canada and European countries,
Jazakallah Khair
The Quran is the way of life the happiness of life the greatness of life the key in life our abode to paradise follow it and the sunnah and well br granted the best of the best and most of all what my heart beats for my thoughts hurts for my tears fall for my life lives for my soul dying for and that’s the day I see Allah swt and his beloved our habeeb Mohammed saw and our angels prophets ahl al batt asahaba my life is for the after life! You reliZe this through the Quran and sunnah. This girls story I pray that my story end up similar and I know Allah is there for those people who r for him . This story brought me to tear I relate to it at the age22 I alhamduulah given up everything that dosent have something to do with the worship of Allah on a road of memorizing the Quran inshallah I will complete it with ease and Tafseer and tajweed with Saba al nuzul and everything that it consists of.though my heart yearns for the helping those who are lost in this Worldly life especially in the set my eyes tear for the disobeying of Allah swt all over and I wish I can help it get better and it yearns for allahswt house and masjid anabawi rusuli Saw and the dream of feeling closer and closer to them in this dunya until I meet them inshallah. Though my life right now i don’t leave the house on cultural aspects though I still take advantage of it and have become my own teacher and in thirst of knowledge and I ask Allah atawfiqqq and thank him for guiding me the reality of life and thats that it’s not reality the life after is the reality .yea this is life though the real true life is Hereafter I ask Allah of the best of both and give me the advantage to do everything u can to worship him in the best way possible even if it would not even add up to a drop of what he’s swt has given us.may allahswt grant all Muslims Jenna ameen
Without any doubt, Allah knows everything!!
Al-Qur.aan Surah Al-An.am Verse 59
And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record.
A Salaam Alleikoum ya ochti Maryam,
What is the name of your teacher in Egypt, is she still taking students? Where else did you study while in Egypt, and whom did you contact to help organize your stay?
Qualbi fi Messer, inch’Allah I would like to study Arabic and Quran in Egypt, may Allah reward you a thousand times for any contacts or suggestions you might be able to share.
Jazeki Allah Chairan, wa a Salaam Alleikoum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh
ochtaki sakeenah
this is a lovely article. Thank you for sharing.
ALLAH AKBAR,