They say the Sahaba would prepare for Ramadan 6 months in advance………I started 2 months ago.
It began when I attended a Friday sermon by my friend Mohammed Zaoud on the topic of the Quran. It was a very thought provoking and inspirational talk, and by no means ‘in one ear out the other’. He shared with the audience various anecdotes that prompted my immediate preparation for the approaching month of Ramadan. Preparation that would be initiated through learning to read the Book of Allah in Arabic. In the second part of his sermon, he informed us of an upcoming Quran course that through effort, would have us reading the ‘Word of Allah’ in time for Ramadan. He even made an oath by it!
This really hit me. I’ll share with you why.
Growing up in an Islamic school, I would spend Quran class begging the student next to me to read when it was my turn. Most of the time it was sweet and I would get away with it. However I did get caught once and it was absolutely humiliating! The Sheikh realized I skipped my turn, looked at me sternly and asked “Why do you refuse to read?”. I replied “I can’t read”. He responded “Read in the name of thy…….” JOKES it wasn’t that dramatic
Instead, he told me to stand up as he wrote an Arabic word on the board. He pointed at it and said “READ”. I looked at him nervously and responded “Umm….Bismillah”. The class erupted in laughter. The word on the board was ‘Mohsen’. I couldn’t even read my own name! The Sheikh took me to his office after class and handed me a transliteration Quran. He told me it would help me learn.
I have spent many years of my life since then grasping onto various ‘transliteration’ versions of the Quran. Found it really hard to let go of. Of course that was up until 2 months ago. I took Mohammed up on his offer and decided to enroll. I was motivated to exhaust all efforts in learning to read the Quran in time for Ramadan. This was my preparation! This was my chance to to take those steps in making this Ramadan special!
Before sitting in the class, a brother named Abdul called me and asked me to come in for a quick assessment so he can know which class to put me in. I informed him that I know nothing of the Arabic language, and that the assessment will end the moment he asks me to pronounce a letter. I told him I need to be put in the beginners class, where they have never come across Arabic before. He understood my situation and told me to start Wednesday that week.
The day came and I was directed towards the class. I was anxious and a little bit nervous. Not only due to the fear of failing, but more so because I was expecting my classmates to be a bunch of 6 year olds. I couldn’t picture anyone else in a similar position as me. Truth be told, they all ended up being older than me! A great set of brothers who the through the course of time became serious competitors in the race to learning the Quran.
It was a memorable and very rewarding experience. Our teacher Abdul really knew how to steer us and have us learning the Quran quickly and easily. All my previous concerns of thinking I was going to fail were left at the door when I first stepped in there. My trepidation of the Arabic language stemming from my years at Arabic school as a kid (too many beatings and a story on its own) was dismissed !
Praise be to God we are now in the first third of Ramadan, and for the first time ever, after 2 months of classes, I am reading the Quran in Arabic! What better time is there than this month to begin reading the word of Allah (in it’s original form) ?
By no means am I Qari’ or readily on my way to completing the Quran this Ramadan. However, the bounty I have been left to collect is a great one: I am feeling the spirit of Ramadan! I can clearly see the connection. I can see the difference between this Ramadan and its predecessors. I now understand why they say “The month of Ramadan, is the month of the Quran”.
For too long I neglected it in it’s original form. For too long I dreaded any idea of considering learning it in Arabic. I was honestly lost. I guess I can put some blame on my addiction to transliteration texts. It was a nasty case of dreading over implementing (something as a uunistudent I have grown used to). Within the first three lessons I was reading and writing words. I even wrote the word “Jahash” on the board just to show my teacher how far I have come!
I can only thank God for such a beneficial journey. Something I dreaded for more than a decade, was resolved within the span of two months. When the Quran itself says “We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’an, in order that ye may learn wisdom.” (12:2) why did I ever consider reading it in English? I WANT THAT WISDOM! Full steam ahead insha’Allah.
This is the month when the Quran was revealed to mankind, and it is the very month that I began to read it!
Oh and one other thing…….I can even write my name now!!!
