Reading with Heart: Starting the Hijri Year with the Qur’an
It’s not just about reading. It’s about building a deeper relationship with the Qur’an—starting 1447H with renewed intention.
Bismillah.
As I begin a new year in the Hijri calendar, I find myself asking:
How do I want to meet the Qur’an this time?
Not just read it—but truly connect with it.
A powerful question posed to us by my coach recently stayed with me:
“When reading the Qur’an and its translations, why is it necessary to understand what theme it falls under? And why should we take the time to learn the kalimahs (Qur’anic vocabulary)?”
We’ve probably all heard versions of this before.
But this time, I felt the need to write it down—to reflect, clarify, and be more intentional with how I move forward in this journey.
It’s not lost on me that many of us grew up reading the Qur’an, some even memorising large parts of it, and yet if we were truthful to ourselves, we're doing it without always understanding what the Quran, what Allah, is saying. And while there’s reward in simply reading, there’s something even more powerful waiting when we begin to understand Allah's Divine words.
Here’s what I’ve come to realise.
📚 Understanding the Theme: Seeing the Bigger Picture
Each verse of the Qur’an isn’t just a standalone instruction or story—it falls under a bigger theme that ties it together and connects it to our lives.
Whether it’s:
Oneness of Allah (Tawheed)
Prophethood and Revelation
Allah’s Creations
Moral and Ethical Guidance (through Seerah and examples)
Eschatology and Rewards in the Afterlife
…knowing the theme gives us context. It’s like zooming out from a single road to see the full map.
It helps us understand why a verse was revealed, what it’s calling us to reflect on, and how it fits into the bigger divine message.
It turns a verse from something we simply recite—into something that reflects us back to ourselves.
💬 Understanding the Kalimahs: Making the Qur’an Speak To You
Then there’s the quiet power of learning Qur’anic vocabulary—kalimahs, the words that appear again and again, anchoring us to meaning.
I’ve found that even learning a few words brings ripples across everything:
When I recite a memorised surah in solah, I understand it better—and it grounds me, helping me focus and (hopefully!) feel more khusyuk.
When I hear the same verse recited elsewhere, it feels familiar—and nudges me to reflect or revisit the tafsir.
When I spot the same kalimah in another surah, it clicks—like seeing an old friend and suddenly recognising a deeper layer in the story.
Learning kalimahs made me realise:
The Qur’an isn’t just something I’m meant to finish reading.
It’s a conversation I’m meant to keep having—with Allah, with myself, and with life.
And like any meaningful conversation, the more you understand the words, the more powerful the message becomes.
🌱 Practical Steps for a Deeper Qur’an Connection
This year, I’m leaning into a more heartful and mindful Qur’an experience. Not just reciting, but reflecting. If this speaks to you too, here are some small steps that might help:
Join a Qur’an or tafsir group, online or in your local community. Listening to others reflect opens up doors you didn’t even know existed.
Surround yourself with like-minded souls. Alhamdulillah, this is something I’ve been given the rizq to do—and it’s made all the difference.
Journal your journey. Even one note or reflection a day can anchor your understanding and deepen your connection.
Use tools to help you memorise and internalise vocabulary. Flashcards, sticky notes, or apps that support Harfiah learning can be incredibly effective. One I personally use is Think Quran—it’s a visual, easy-to-use app that helps with kalimah recognition and understanding. There's even a free version to get started.
💖 May This Year Be Different
Yes—there is reward in simply reading the Qur’an.
But there is transformation in understanding it.
And maybe this year, instead of rushing to finish a juz, we can pause… and let even one ayah settle deep into our hearts.
May Allah make this a year of Qur’an for us—one where every word we recite, understand, and act upon brings us closer to Him.
Aamiin.