3 Easy Ways To Make Tadabbur

3 Ways to make tadabbur

So the Quran Lives Within You

In the end, this is the destination, so the Quran resides within our hearts. Because when Quran lives within you, you are guided, loved, and sheltered. Allah affirms: “This is a blessed Book which We have revealed to you (O Prophet) so people may reflect on its messages.” [Quran 38:29]

Taddabur serves as the final goal for our relationship with the Quran, which is to live with the Qur’an; vice versa, the Quran resides in the hearts of those who commit themselves to it. “It is a guidance & healing for those who have faith.” [Quran 41:44]

God’s Invitation to Reflect on the Quran

His calling on making tadabbur bears two fruits:

1. Unlocking the Heart. “Will they not reflect on the Quran? Or do they have locks on their hearts?” [47:24] It nourishes the hearts. The absence of tadabbur is an indication of locks on hearts, i.e., a spiritual problem. Conversely, making tadabbur will open up the heart. In which, when people try to reflect on the Qur’an, God will make it easy, making their hearts-feelings enjoy fulfillment, comfort, and at rest. 

2. Strengthening the Mind. “Will they not reflect on the Quran? Had it been from anyone other than Allah, they would have certainly found in it many inconsistencies.” [4:82] The absence of tadabbur will appear as if the Quran doesn’t make sense, is disturbing, and, is pointless. In contrast, reflecting on the Qur’an (i) removes the contradiction of the mind and (ii) bolsters your conviction in Qur’an intellectually.

With numbered days of Ramadhan left, I would like to share 3 easy-practical ways to reflect on the Qur’an (tadabbur),[1]in hopes that interacting with the Qur’an becomes as pleasurable (even more) as watching Netflix, or being on Instagram and TikTok:

1. Personalise It to Your Current State

Placing this as the first way of tadabbur-ing because doing so, makes these verses resonating, alive, and functional. You are the addressee, the Quran is the communicating to you.

You measure yourself to these verses; when you pass by verses detailing the mukminin (the faithful), their endeavours, sentiments and, deeds, you analyse and measure how are you faring as compared to these people documented in the Qur’an.

Similarly, when you pass by verses detailing the opposite faction, you gauge yourself, measuring between you and the people whom Allah is displeased with. You thus, endeavour to make yourself eligible for the quality the Divine loves.

A case in point, is when Allah “The servants of the Lord of Mercy are those who walk humbly on the earth; when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.” [25:63]

How do I deal with difficult people, or when they abuse their words; affecting my feelings? Do I display grace as the Quranic approach? Why is it important to display grace in these situations? As you read on, you find that God affirms “They will be rewarded with ˹elevated˺ mansions in Jannah for their perseverance; received salutations and ˹greetings of˺ peace; staying there forever. A happy home and resting place. [25:76]

2. Pause and Make Du’a

When you come across a verse on the delights of Jannah, pause and ask Allah for His mercy, for His Jannah. When you come across a verse on the Fire, its people and, torments, pause and ask for Allah’s shelter.

When you come across a verse where you can make a du’a, pause and ask Allah. Be creative in crafting your du’as!

A case in point, when the Quran portrays a scene in Jannah, the people of Jannah affirming:

“Praise be to Allah, Who has kept away from us all ˹causes of˺ sorrow. Our Lord is All-Forgiving, Most Appreciative.” [Quran 35:34]

You pause, and ask Allah you ask Allah to (i) be guided in the struggles of life and (ii) feel the delight of Jannah causing you to say this phrase; thanking Allah for the strength despite the heaviness of the test.

And when the Quran portrays the torment of the Fire, you seek pause and seek refuge in Allah’s shelter and protection as how A’isha r.a. practiced. When A’isha r.a. recited the verse:

“But Allah was gracious to us and protected us from the punishment of the scorching fire. We used to pray to Him before. He is surely the Most Kind, the Merciful One.” [Quran 52:27]

She paused and said, “O Allah, be gracious to us and protect us from the punishment of the scorching fire.” [Ibn Abi Shaibah. Hadith no. 6036. Grade: Authentic]

3. Reflection Notes

Have a journal or an app where you can log your reflections. It goes a long way.

Log your feelings towards the verses. What did it make you feel? And why did a particular verse resonated with you? By way of illustration, when Allah affirms: “Allah does not burden any soul beyond what He has given it. After hardship, Allah will bring about ease.” [Quran 65:7] Why does the verse relatively resonate with you most?

Log your progress when you measure yourself with the Quranic qualities in the verses.

Write your questions to direct them to experts; what is seemingly inconsistent will then not remain.

Log the du’as you make when you pause between verses.

As you habituate yourself to making tadabbur, making it a part of your daily life, log your thoughts and feelings and how these verses make you feel.

P.S. Decorate your journal/notebook if you are using a physical one! (It’ll feel so much better)

Conclusion

What I want to leave with you are two things: (i) It is the process of learning the Quran that matters in the eyes of Allah, never the result. (ii) The Quran brings immense blessings. Laylatul Qadr becomes the best night only because of the descent of the Qur’an. It is by this virtue its blessings will flow into us naturally when we approach it, willingly.

May Allah make us amongst the people who reflect upon the Qur’an and receives its warmth.

[1] Note: There are various structured methods to make tadabbur. This article hopes for one to start his/her tadabbur journey with the Qur’an, and for those who have been making tadabbur as well.