Learning to read the Holy Quran
I cannot read the Holy Quran fluently. I have no justification for it either. As mentioned in my Born Muslim post, I did not take things very seriously when my dear parents send me to madrasah. In addition to that, I also had a dedicated Maalim that used to come home to teach me to read the Holy Quran - and I did read and learn then, but never picked it up fluently and never took it any further after. When I was young, I was simply NOT interested.
One of the problems I had with it was that I never understood Arabic - so I felt I was reading a book - but took nothing from it after. But I was wrong. By just hearing it being recited, I feel great peace within myself, imagine how it would make the reciter feel? Whether the listener or reciter understands the book or not, they are taking alot from it and gaining alot. Esp. from Allah (SWT). The gain here is tacit, and I cannot explain it - you have to expereince it for yourself to see what I mean.
Now it has come a time when I actually want to learn to read the Holy Book much more fluently. While I was on vacation in Dec 2005, I decided to get a Maalim to come home and teach me for the short duration I was there. This time, my midset was completely different, and I wanted to learn from my heart - because by now I had realised its benefits - If only I knew and felt what know and feel now, I would have done this years ago. Anyways, it is never too late.
So, Maalim came home and just an hours session for 5 days made me feel completely different within myself - I felt so much at ease - even though I could barely read it. So, now that I have returned from my vacation, im not just going to leave it at that. I have searched out a Maalim here, and will be continuing to learn how to read.
I have set a goal - It is now the month of Muharram, 1427. By the Holy month of Ramadhan, 1427, I want to take part in Quran sessions which are held every single year. With the help of Allah (SWT) and my determination, I will be able to acheive this -Insha-allah .
muislamu said,
March 6, 2006 @ 3:34 pm
I have searched a Maalim out - Basically, I spoke to our resident Moulana last week after Friday prayers. He is willing to teach me but we havent discussed the details. However because this is the month of Muharram esp. with main 30th to 40th days after our great Imam Husayn (A.S) was martyred in Kerbala he is abit busy and occupied. He asked that I contact him after about 2 weeks to give us a time to set up a schedule that suits both our requirements. I will do just that. Shame I have to wait for 2 weeks - but thats cool.
I cant wait to start learning to Read the Holy Book.
muislamu said,
March 8, 2006 @ 7:57 pm
Today, after my Isha prayers, I decided to read the small Holy Quran. This is s small version of the Holy book used to learn the how to read which I had brought back when I went home in December.
I started from the alphabets, and had initially decided to read on 2 or 3 pages. I wanted to see how much I can remember from what I had learnt from the Maalim. To my surprise, not only was I able to remember everything that I was taught, but I went on to read a lot more, off course making mistakes along the lines, but I read 14 pages. I read page after page, enjoying every single moment of it - and not for a moment did I think ths is difficult, or a pain to read.
I spend a good 45 minutes on it and wished I had done this sooner. Thanks to Allah (SWT) for giving me the patience and the inner want to read this Holy Book. I want to try and read atleast a page or two on my own every single day and see how far I will get. The only concern I have, is that if I continue to do this, I might make mistakes, and not realise that I am making them as ther is no one listening to me and there to correct me. Well… its not that big of a deal if I make mistakes, its is the only way to learn.
I felt absolutely fantastic after I did this. A feeling that is very difficult to explain and write about - its just that I feel much at peace inside of me and in my heart.
I pray to Allah (SWT) to give me the strength and patience to continue this effort of learning to read this great Holy Book.