The Quran has a special significance in Ramadan and both fasting and the Quran will intercede for you on the Day of Judgement.
Ramadan is a virtuous month which will be filled with various acts of worship which one can perform but some acts will hold a greater value when carried out as prescribed in the Islamic tradition by the beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw), however, the most favourite of them all is the recitation of the Quran.
There is much scriptural evidence that promotes the encouragement of spending our days and nights mostly in recitation and reflection, after all, the Quran and the month of Ramadan share a special relationship.
Allah reminds us in the Holy Book about when the Quran was revealed and therefore has a greater significance when recited in the sacred month it was revealed. Allah distinguished the month of Ramadan, He (swt) chose this month explicitly to send down the glorious Quran and the other divine books.
Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard (to distinguish between right and wrong). (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)
Imam Ahmad reported that Wathilah bin Al-Aqsa said that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “The Suhuf (pages) of Ibrahim were revealed during the first night of Ramadan. The Torah was revealed during the sixth night of Ramadan. The Injil was revealed during the thirteenth night of Ramadan. Allah revealed the Quran on the twenty-fourth night of Ramadan.
The Quran was revealed as guidance for the hearts of those who believe in it and adhere to its commands. Allah said: “with clear proofs”, meaning, as clear and unambiguous signs and unequivocal proof for those who understand them. These proofs testify to the truth of the Quran, its guidance, the opposite of misguidance, and how it guides to the straight path, the opposite of the wrong path, and the distinction between the truth and falsehood, and the permissible and the prohibited.
Imam Abdallah Ibn Alawi Al Haddad in his renowned work, ‘The book of assistance’, sheds some light on the recitation of the glorious Quran which can be studied and acted upon in the month of Ramadan.
You must recite the book every day. The least you should do is recite a juz (one-thirtieth) so that you complete it once a month and the most is to complete it once every three days. Know that great merit attaches to reciting the Quran and an influence in illuminating the heart.
Fasts and the Holy Quran will intercede for the Muslims on the Day of Judgement.
The Messenger of Allah (saw) stated:
"The fast and the Holy Quran will intercede for people on the Day of Judgement. The fast will say, ‘O Merciful Allah! I prevented him from eating and satisfying his desires during the day, accept my intercession in his favour.’ The Holy Quran will say, ‘I prevented him from sleeping at night, accept my intercession for him.’ Their intercessions will be accepted.’ (Musnad Imām Aḥmad)
Another form of attaching oneself to the Quran is to listen to its recitation by others, this applies to both inside and outside of the prayer. Listening to others reciting the Quran is not only soothing on the heart and incredibly reflecting, it is also a sunnah of the beloved Prophet (saw) which has been encouraged in sound Hadith. There is a great reward for the listeners and reciters of the Quran, however an even greater reward for those who struggle to recite the Quran due to their pronunciation.
Narrated `Abdullah, that the Prophet (ﷺ) said to him:
"Recite the Qur'an to me." `Abdullah said, "Shall I recite (the Qur'an) to you while it has been revealed to you?" He said, "I like to hear it from others." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
"Such a person as recites the Qur'an and masters it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven). And such a person exerts himself to learn the Qur'an by heart, and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward."
Fasting and reciting the Quran in the month of Ramadan are the greatest means of Taqwa (piety and fear of Allah), so by reading and reflecting over the Quran in such a state, one fulfils an obligation and is rewarded for it in this world, and in the hereafter. Upon fulfilling this obligation, the Quran then becomes a witness for one on the Day of Judgement and a means for him to enter paradise for eternity.
Take this opportunity to attach yourself to the Quran. Ramadan is also a great time to give Sadaqah, consider sponsoring a child to memorise the Quran and become a hafiz. You will receive the reward of Sadaqah Jariyah every time the Hafiz recites the Quran or teaches it to others which in turn will multiply the reward to you for many years.
