The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ramadan

  • Ramadan: Foundation lauds Kebbi gov over feeding centres

    Ramadan: Foundation lauds Kebbi gov over feeding centres

    The Annur Foundation, an Islamic organisation based in Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State, has commended the large heartedness of the state governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, for establishing 67 Ramadan feeding centres in all the 21 local government areas of the state, to cater for the need of indigent residents during the ongoing Ramadan fasting period.

    Recently, the Kebbi State Director of Sharia, Alhaji Abubakar Lamme, in Birnin Kebbi, said that the government had established 67 Ramadan feeding centres in all the 21 local government areas of the state. Lamne, who did not mention the amount spent on the programme, disclosed this while speaking with reporters in his office.

    He explained that three centres were established in each of the 20 local government areas, while Birnin Kebbi has seven centres. “The state government released food stuff for the 67 centres for feeding of people in all the 21 local government area across the state,” he said. He called on the chairmen of the committee on feeding in each local government area to ensure equity and fairness in the distribution of the items.

    Lamme explained that the decision of the government to establish the centres is in line with its policy of identifying and carrying out specific projects that will directly make life easier and more comfortable for the people of the state at all times. He added that the Ramadan period is ordinarily a period to ensure that Muslim faithful are not in any difficulty as they observe their fasting.

    In a statement, Amir of the group, Alhaji Seidu Abdullai, said: “Our governor has shown that he is a man that has taken the words and directives of Allah to heart in all his actions. His decision to establish 67 Ramadan feeding centres in all the 21 local government areas of the state, to cater for the need of indigent residents during the ongoing Ramadan fasting period, is novel and encouraging.

    “With this action, he has shown love to all the people of the state during the holy month as directed by Allah to all leaders. Without consideration for political affiliations or party loyalty, Governor Bagudu ensured that Muslims who are fasting are fed across the state. It is a good deed and we commend him.”

    From our observation across the state, we can authoritatively tell you that the people of the state are happy with the government over the feeding centres. The centres have been of immense help to many who would have found it difficult surviving in the harsh economic situation the country recently fund itself. It is for this reason we are applauding the governor so that he can do even more.”

    Abdullai stressed that many basic needs of the ordinary people, which successive governments could not do in decades even with abundant resources, are now being done by the current administration. He attributed that to the willingness of the new governor and his team to be guided by the desire to please the people and not themselves.

    The cleric maintained that the importance of the feeding centres to many of the people in the various local government areas, especially during the Ramadan period, could never be over-emphasised. He commended the committee saddled with the implementation of the project for doing a good job and for the willingness of the new governor and his team to be guided by the desire to please the people and not themselves.

    Insisting that the new administration in the state is people-oriented and progressive in all ramifications, Abdullai called on all sons and daughters of the state to continue to give their unalloyed support to Governor Bagudu and his team as they strive to reposition the state.

  • Ramadan: Tinubu fetes less-privileged

    Ramadan: Tinubu fetes less-privileged

    The Bola Ahmed Tinubu Foundation yesterday held its annual Ramadan Outreach at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.  The event which was in its second year was organised to fete the masses and commemorate this year’s Eid-el-Fitri celebrations.

    Huge number of people from various backgrounds, religions, tribes as well as party members and non-party members alike thronged the venue as early as 5am. Even the disabled and the aged were not left out, as they all turned up in anticipation of what they have come to identify as a legendary Asiwaju generosity.

    Some of the earliest arrivals, who emerged from the venue with bags of goodies, were full of smiles and praises for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for holding the outreach again this year. They said with the rice, spaghetti, sugar and cash gifts, they can now look forward to a splendid Sallah celebration.

    A few of them, however, called for a decentralisation of the process. Citing the huge crowd and a rowdy incident that occurred earlier in which some of the women had to be rushed to a hospital in an ambulance; they said it will be nice if the programme is held in the different divisions and wards of the state.

    One of them, who gave his name as Shakiru Ayinde, said he came all the way from Epe and said the trouble he had to go through to get into the venue could have been avoided if the Foundation sends whatever is due to their division to them through their party leaders.

    Another, a woman from Okokomaiko, said she arrived the venue as early as 7.30 but lamented the stress she had to go through due to the over-zealousness of the security men, who mounted guard at the entrances. She particularly singled out the men at the female entrance point, whom she said made entrance into the venue difficult for the beneficiaries made up largely of aged women by refusing to open the gate for them.

    Her words: “Although I have my package now, but I can tell you that I went through hell to get it. The crowd incident that happened earlier today could have been better handled if the guards at the gates allowed people to go in and sit down on the stands. If you go in there, you will find out that there are enough bags in the stadium to go round all the people outside. I therefore cannot understand why the security men are making things so difficult.”

    She, however, commended Asiwaju Tinubu for the good gesture and prayed that he continue growing in strength to be able to do even better in the coming years.

  • Ramadan: Amosun’s wife donates food items to Muslims

    Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, has donated various food items to Islamic faithful across the state’s three senatorial districts as part of her effort to support the Muslims in the ongoing Ramadan season. Speaking at the Uplift Food Outreach programme in Ijebu-Ode, Ota and Abeokuta central mosques, Mrs. Amosun charged the Muslims to refrain from sinful behaviours that could jeopardise the rewards of Ramadan fasting.

    She said the Ramadan period should be seen as a sacred time to be closer to Allah. At the Ijebu-Ode Central Mosque, the Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Alhaji Abdulrasak Salaudeen offered prayers for the First Family in the State and appreciated the governor’s wife for her kind gesture towards the Muslim community in Ijebu-Ode.

    He said the donation was part of the fulfilment of the five pillars of Islam and  charged the people to reciprocate the kind gesture of the governor’s wife by praying and supporting Ogun State government in its mission to rebuild the state.

    In his remarks at Ota Central Mosque, the guest lecturer, Imam Shakirudeen Kayode Sanni, said leaders must learn how to emulate the good leadership qualities displayed by Prophet Mohammad and rely on Allah. He also thanked the governor’s wife for her donations.

    At the Abeokuta Central Mosque, the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Alhaji Liadi Orunsolu, lauded the governor’s wife for putting the Muslim faithful in mind. Gift items like bags of wheat flour, Semolina, among others, were distributed to the Muslims by the governor’s

  • Desist from inhuman treatment of widows – Aisha Buhari admonishes

    Desist from inhuman treatment of widows – Aisha Buhari admonishes

     

    Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari has called for cultural transformation and an end to wicked and inhuman widowhood rites imposed on Nigerian women, just as she said that widows must henceforth not be subjected to any form of discrimination or sexual abuse.

    Mrs. Buhari, who made the call in Lagos at the celebration of the Widow’s Day organized by the United Nations Information Centre and Hope for Life Foundation, lamented the life-threatening widowhood rituals to which Nigerian women were subjected, adding that such must stop in the overall interest of the advancement of the society.

    Mrs. Buhari, who was represented at the event by the Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, equally advised widows to seek economic empowerment to live above cheap temptations.

    Delivering the UN Secretary-General’s address, Director of United Nations Information Centre in Nigeria, Mr. Ronald Kayanja commended Lagos State Government for providing the model to follow regarding the welfare of women and children.

    He also urged everyone to support the widows by not stigmatizing against them.

    Mrs. Buhari, at another event, where she was represented by Mrs. Ambode, called on Muslims across the country not to abandon the spirit of Ramadan after the fasting period.

    Mrs Buhari, who said this while distributing Ramadan gifts to members of NASFAT, Ansar-ul-deen and the Hausa community in Lagos, noted that the call became imperative in view of the need to encourage the people to imbibe right virtues.

    She said Ramadan represents love, peace, forgiveness, peaceful co-existence and extending helping hand to the less privileged, hence the need for sustenance of such virtues.

    She said that the holy Prophet held those tenets in high esteem and lived his whole life around them, adding that the entire sacrifice of fasting would only achieve its purpose if Muslims continued with those principles beyond Ramadan.

    Mrs Buhari further said that Nigeria was in dire need of peaceful co-existence, unity and mutual love to strengthen the social bond and to help the country overcome all challenges.

    According to her: “The lessons of Ramadan should go beyond the fasting period. As Muslims, we must carry on the banner of love, peace, friendship and mutual co-existence beyond the season. It is only by doing so that we can strengthen the social bond between us and keep the country united to overcome all challenges.”

    Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chief Missioner, NASFAT society of Nigeria, Shelk Abdullahi Akinbode thanked Mrs. Buhari for her kindness and for staying connected with people at the grassroots from far-away Aso Rock.

    He assured that the beneficiaries would use the fasting period to re-connect properly with Allah and carry the principles of the holy month beyond the period of fasting.

  • 12,000 orphans, needy benefit from Sokoto govt’s Ramadan assistance

    Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has distributed clothing materials and food items to 12,485 orphans and indigent persons across the state.

    The event, which took place in Kuchi village of Kebbe Local Government, had beneficiaries drawn from 85 districts in the 23 Local Government Councils of the state.

    The food items and clothing materials were purchased by the state government through the state Zakkat and Endowment Committee. Speaking at the occasion, Tambuwal said that each female orphan will receive a wrapper of cloth and N1, 000 while each male orphan will receive five yards of clothing material and N1, 000.

    Tambuwal stated that the gesture was aimed at assisting the orphans and the needy to celebrate the forthcoming Eid-el-Fitr with ease. He said: ”The state government is strongly committed to ensuring the welfare of all categories of people in the state. We will always strive to fulfill our campaign promises to the people of the state in spite of so many challenges.”

    The governor also announced his personal donation of three hundred bags of rice to the people of Kuchi District.

     Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto,Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, commended the state government on the gesture. Abubakar, who was represented by the District Head of Binji, Alhaji Kabiru Usman, urged wealthy persons in the state to emulate the deed.

    The Sultan appealed to Nigerians to pray fervently for leaders at all levels to succeed. The monarch also admonished Nigerians to seek divine forgiveness as panacea to the myriad challenges in the country.

  • Lekan Osifeso throws gates open for Ramadan

    With the demeanour of a king and the heart of a vicar, Otunba Lekan Osifesso is a personification of humility. Those who know the popular socialite and Chairman of Lekai Group of Companies well would attest to the fact that although he was born into an aristocratic family, he derives a lot of pleasure from mingling with ordinary people. Even more remarkable is his eagerness to spread the love in his heart and share his affluence with others.

    As it has become customary for the President of the Association of Indigenous Contractors, the month of Ramadan has provided another opportunity for him to showcase his humanitarian instincts. Since the Ramadan fast began, the gates of his mansion have been thrown open for the Muslim faithful to break their fast with free meals. Reports say that in the process, the Otunba Adeshemowo of Ijebuland has also provided employments for caterers whose services he has secured to ensure that sumptuous and hygienic meals are provided in large quantity.

    Still fresh in the memory of many is the launch of a foundation named after his father sometime ago. Recently, he was conferred with the Special Recognition Award by the Nigeria Union of Journalists on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day for his contribution to the growth of the union.

    According to some, Lekan Osifeso is simply worming his way into the hearts of people as he prepares the ground for his advent into politics. However, those in the know have refuted this claim, stating that Osifeso has a strong dislike for politics. Only time will tell if Otunba Osifeso intends to dive into the murky waters of politics.

  • Ramadan: Big boost for fruit markets

    The annual Islamic fasting period, otherwise known as ‘Ramadan’, presents  an opportunity for increased fruit sales. This is why in spite of an appreciable increase in the prices of fruits,retailers are experiencing increased sales, TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

    Fruits are said to be of high nutritional value because they contain several minerals and vitamins needed for man’s healthy growth. This is why there has been an intense campaign to ensure that Nigerians include fruits in their daily diet.

    This campaign may not have recorded the best of results, especially when the cost of fruits is high compared to buying a regular meal. The biting economic reality has also not helped matters in this regard.

    However, one season Nigerians have found fruits a necessity is during holy months of Lent and Ramadan. These months are set aside for fasting by Christians and Muslims.

    For instance, Arafat Ibrahim and her family had joined their muslim counterparts across the world to observe this year’s Ramadan. For them, when it is not Ramadan, they do not see the nutritional benefit of adding fruits to their daily meals, they rather see it as a waste of money. Ibrahim, like many muslims, patronise fruit sellers only during Ramadan because she would need to break her fast first with fruits and then, her meals.

    Aware that the last six months have seen price-sensitive, markets across Lagos suffer from higher food costs. She, like many fruits merchants, agreed that this higher prices have not affected the demand for fruits this Ramadan period.

    As she visited some fruit markets in Lagos, she discovered that yearly , the holy month keeps turning into boom time for fruit sellers who are enjoying high demand presently.

    Hear her: “Every year, there is a surge in spending before, during and after Ramadan, with increase in prices of food items and fruits in the traditional markets across the country. But market survey has showed that demand for fruits tend to increase by around 50-60 per cent during Ramadan compared to other months,” she said.

    However, fruit traders have revealed that demand for fruit is up this Ramadan despite significantly higher prices compared to last year’s regardless of price hikes.Market sources say the supply of fruits to the metropolis has risen by between 50 and 55 per cent in wholesale fruit markets particularly in Ketu fruit market. However, they have said it usually goes up further in the course of the 30-day fasting period.

    It was also discovered that demand for fruits such as apple, citrus fruits such as oranges and tangerine, water melon, pineapple and banana  considerably increases during fasting periods but sellers say patronage remains high notwithstanding.

    Speaking on the development, the market leader of Ketu fruit market, Chief MrsAmopeAdesanya said, fruit markets record brisk sales whenever  Ramadan period was in the air and that her market has experienced very high sale in the last two weeks following the commencement of the holy month. According to her, at this time, it is not new to the trade. Traders of the commodity are always expectant that the season would cause a boom for them once again. “The fact that some prices of fruits have gone up and the quantity of some reduced doesn’t make patronage low for us. There are few people however  who have reduced the amount and quantity of fruits. At weekends, the Christians who buy to eat and traders who buy to resell in bits, also buy in smaller quantities. But our Muslim customer’s, particularly the traders, buy more than they did at this time last year.

    Amope added: ”There is increase in the supply of fruits in this market because we are aware that this is a major market for all kinds of fruit in mainland apart from Idi Oro market at Mushin. We have stock up varieties of fruits and we are seeing huge patronage from customers. We are selling more oranges, water melon, pineapple and apple now. We get apple from Cotonou and other fruits from the north.”

    At the market, baskets of orange ranged from N900, N1000, N1, 100, 1, 200, N1, 300 respectively depending on the size. A dozen of Pineapple ranges from N1, 600, N2, 000, N2, 500 and above also depending on size.

    The Watermelon section of the market was the busiest with more customers buying when The Nation Shopping visited.  Mr Isiaka Olarenwaju sells the item in large quantity, he testified that sale is on the high side, stating that Muslims prefers to break their fast with watermelon more compare to other fruits. According to him, the size of the fruit is an advantage. It is big and can go round many people at once. A Dozen cost 1, 500, N2, 000, N2, 500 and more. He said the price is determined by the size.

    Also, a bag of raw groundnut cost N2, 500, N3, 000 and a paint container measurement cost N350. A trader who sells it at the same market, Mr. Shola Kolawole, said the price of groundnut is not too expensive compared to other fruit because it is in its season now

    Mrs. AbeniGbadamosi, a pear seller, said 50pieces of it cost N700. It is one of the most expensive  now compare to other fruits but it is in high demand.

    For KemisolaIshola, a fruit seller at Mile 12 market, not too far from the fruit market at Ketu, she has reached her best sales this week. “I am busier than I used to be since Ramadan  began. Most times now,  it is hard to find a good time to eat lunch. I think people are more enlightened about the importance of fruits to the body and they have decided to take advantage of the season.”

  • Consumers applaud Peak milk Ramadan message

    Consumers applaud Peak milk Ramadan message

    Muslim faithfuls as well as consumers alike have expressed satisfaction over the on-going Peak Milk Ramadan campaign titled: “Nourish Your Body With Peak” aimed at supporting the Muslim community on the nutritional requirements needed to stay fit throughout the holy month of Ramadan in order to achieve a spiritually robust and successful fasting period.

    It will be recalled that Peak Milk embarked on a massive media campaign to reinforce and remind Nigerians on the need for regular milk consumption as it facilitates healthy and strong body growth as well as maintenance during the holy month of Ramadan.

    Investigations at most of the markets revealed that most of the consumers were of the opinion that the campaign was coming at the right time when Muslims needed a product that would nourish their bodies during the Ramadan period.

    Areas where the campaign penetrated include; Garki, Wuse and Gwagwalada markets in Abuja, Maraba, Keffi and New Karu markets in Nassarawa state, Singar and Sabon Gari markets in Kano, Gombe main market, the Terminus market in Jos, Mubi market in Yola, Central market in Bauchi, New market and Makera market in Kontangora, Okene market in Lokoja, Old market, Gusau, Achi Chia market, Sokoto old market, Sokoto, Central market, Kaduna as well as Sabon Gari, Zaria among others.

    The campaign has been running on major radio stations to prepare the Muslim community in Nigeria for the month prior to the commencement of the Ramadan. One of the Muslim faithfuls, Alhaji Yahaya Sule said that he was delighted to take part in the campaign promotion stressing that he and his family have been breaking their fast with Peak Milk since the fasting period kicked off.

    Alhaji Sule added that the nutritional value of Peak Milk was quite resonating as the brand helps his family to stay fit and healthy throughout the holy month, and achieve a spiritually robust and successful fast. A major retailer in Kano, Mrs. Fatima Musa when contacted noted that Peak Milk was doing a great job for Nigerians and the Muslim community with its Ramadan Peak campaign efforts.

    She pointed out that Nigerians needed regular consumption of Peak Milk as it facilitates healthy and strong body growth/maintenance during the Holy month of Ramadan stressing that, that was the reason why she believes in the brand as that maintains her fresh looks during the Ramadan period.

    Meanwhile, nutritionists have stressed that regular milk consumption, especially during fasting period is imperative, because milk contains nature’s essential nutrients that are required for everyday activity.

    It is advised that between 500 – 750 ml milk be taken during the month of Ramadan, according to nutrition experts, as this will provide the body with the energy required to undertake daily activities notwithstanding the disruption in the regular diet schedule.

    Accordingly, “Muslim faithful should consume drinks based on milk and fruit such as milk shakes and smoothies which provide some natural sugars for energy; as well as minerals like potassium, copper and manganese all of which are nutrients. These are good to break your fast.

    “The holy month of Ramadan is the ninth of the Islamic calendar and a time when many Muslims across the world fast during daylight hours for 29-30 days. Taking part in this spiritual activity means no food or drink during the daylight hours, eating one meal just before dawn and another after sunset,” experts observed.

  • Ramadan: Lawmaker urges citizens to pray for peace

    Ramadan: Lawmaker urges citizens to pray for peace

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cybercrime Senator Abdul Fatai Buhari has urged Nigerians to continue to pray for peace and progress of the country.

    The All Progressives Congress Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District said this during the fourth annual Fatai Buhari Ramadan lecture held at Ogbomoso Central Mosque yesterday

    According to the lawmaker, there are indications that things have started taking shape and it will not stop until every Nigerian can afford to eat and live under peaceful atmosphere, and enjoy dividends of democracy.

    According to him, “The present administration is determined to restore the hope of citizens in good governance and democracy and by the grace of Almighty God we will not fail. Nigerians should not relent in their prayer for our  leaders, as well as those saddled with task and responsibilities in the country.”

    Dr. Shobuur Alaya in his lecture entitled “Islam and the fight against corruption” urged parents and people in position of responsibility to always imbibe the doctrine and practice of Islam in their day to day activities.

    He added that Islam does not encourage corruption and people should live according to the dictates of the religion and norms of the society.

    The event was climaxed with the presentation of a car gift to the guest lecturer by Senator Buhari and special prayer for the nation, the state and Ogbomoso town.

    Dignitaries at the event include Dr. Saka Balogun,  Chief of Staff to former Governor of Oyo state, Alhaji Radar Gbadegesin, Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land Alhaji Yekeen Asafa Sanusi,  Alhaji  Bolaji Dauda Afolabi  state  coordinator  of NACOMYO and other Islamic scholars.

  • Strengthen your Iman this Ramadan

    From time to time, all Muslims need an Iman boost. With the blessed month of Ramadan upon us, there is no better time than now for Muslims to rekindle their Iman in order to reconnect the best way we can with our Creator. Here are some tips on how we can boost our Iman and get our spiritual focus during this Ramadan.

    “The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.” [Qur’an: Chapter 2, Verse 185]

    This ayah encompasses what the Qur’an is really for: proof and guidance. Once we believe in Allah and the Prophet Mohammed, we look to the Qur’an and Sunnah for guidance on how to maximize our good deeds and gain the pleasure of our Creator.

    Now think about it: when you want to get close to a person, you try to be there as often as possible to spend quality time with them. You will ensure you catch on to every word they say in order to understand what they are conveying. This example does not do justice as our relationship with Allah is incomparable to that which we have with other human beings; however, when we seek to be close to Him, we should focus on spending quality time as often as possible with His Book.

    In Ramadan, many of us attempt to do just that. We start Ramadan full of energy and eagerness to remove distractions so we can give our undivided attention to developing our faith and understanding. Some people struggle to find this excitement because they have no idea where to start. Even those who start off zealous see a decline in this enthusiasm as the days go by.

    First thing to do about this: you must remember to consistently ask Allah to guide your mind and heart to have a pure understanding of His Words. Equally, it is vital to check and renew your intentions for reading, memorizing and pondering over the Qur’an.

    “The deeds are considered by the intentions, and a person will get the reward according to his intention.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

    This famous hadith is one that provides comfort to those who struggle to grasp the language and/or skill of reciting and understanding of the Qur’an. In sha Allah, with sincere intentions, Allah will help you succeed in your goals and reward you abundantly for them.

    When thinking about how we should approach the Qur’an in Ramadan, there are three main areas to focus on: reciting, memorizing and reflecting/internalizing.

    When reciting the Qur’an, it is advisable to set goals and make a schedule…

    Everyone’s lives are different; some are full-time employees while others are students or stay-at-home parents. Regardless of your circumstances, you should not fall into despair at the idea of “lack of time” to recite the Qur’an. The quality of the time you spend with the Qur’an is far more important than the quantity. That being said, ensure you formulate a schedule that is suitable for what you are occupied with during Ramadan. Have it written down in your diary. Base this around your goals; “do you want to complete the entire Qur’an once? Or more? Do you want to focus more on perfecting your Tajweed than reciting long portions? Whatever the case may be, having a written plan will help ensure you regularly review and hit these goals, Insha Allah.

    Try to be regular when reciting the Qur’an this Ramadan. We must be realistic with how much we are able to complete or do, given our own circumstances. However, it is important to remember the following statement:

    -The Prophet was asked, “What deeds are loved most by Allah?” He said, “The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few.” He added, ‘Don’t take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability.” [Bukhari].

    So, be regular in your recitation, even if it is 10 minutes (or 1-2 pages) a day. This will ensure you are making time for the Qur’an on a daily basis, rather than just when you feel you have an hour to spare. The regular 10 minutes can make a tremendous difference to your recitation abilities, understanding of the Qur’an and general spiritual well-being. Having a set amount per day will help you steadily reach your goal Insha Allah.

    If you are not used to reciting regularly or feel you will not stick to your goals and schedule, find a companion to worship with. Having someone else to recite with has many benefits. Not only are you helping each other regularly gain the reward of remembering Allah, you are also able to help one another with recitation and other goals Insha Allah.

    When reciting, try to find somewhere quiet. When you are in a place that is too disruptive to focus on your reading, you are less likely to benefit. Respect the time you have with the Qur’an and remove yourself from anything that will distract you or make it difficult for your recitation sitting. When you recite the Qur’an, make your recitation as beautiful as you can, because the Prophet said:

    “Make your voices beautiful when you recite Quran.” [Nasa’i]

    Try and make du’a during this Ramadan. In order to attain any aspiration, we must seek guidance and assistance of Allah as everything is granted by His will alone. When it comes to memorizing portions of the Qur’an, a great deal of patience and self-discipline is required. It also requires you to remain modest and humble with your achievements. All of these qualities are what we should continuously ask Allah to help us develop and maintain. It is by His will that we are able to commit His words to memory, so always remember to turn to Him when things are difficult or not going the way you planned. Insha Allah, with this in mind, you will grow tremendously and attain your Qur’an memorization goals Insha Allah.

    Try and set a steady pace. Whether you plan to memorize the entire Qur’an or just one Surah, be sure to have a calm and structured pace to completing the memorization. Often, we begin full of energy and try to sprint to the end. Rather, we should treat our journey with the Qur’an like a marathon where we want our energy to be constant over a long period of time. In other words, we don’t want to burn ourselves out half way through memorizing a particular surah or portion of the Qur’an. Have a steady approach and don’t push yourself too quickly.

    Listen to reciters repeatedly. Frequently hearing the Qur’an plays a significant role in committing it to memory. Find reciters who have a clear tone and recite at a slow to moderate speed so that you can hear the correct pronunciation to help you with your memorization goals. The more often you hear the words, the more likely they are to stick in your memory, Insha Allah.

    Dedicate time to revision. Be sure to leave adequate time to recall and revise Ayaat and Surahs you have previously memorized. memorise more of the Qur’an, this should not be done at the expense of forgetting what you have already committed to memory. Be regular in your revision, be it 10-15 minutes a day or a whole day outside of your memorization timetable. Additionally, regularly recite the various Surahs you know by heart in Salah or in the car or while you cook or do chores, for example, varying between them as this is a beneficial way to keep them fresh in your mind, Insha Allah.

    Try to reflect and internalize by reading translation and Tafsir. While the rewards are immense for reciting the Qur’an, we need to ensure we understand what we have read.

    It was reported by Abdullah Ibn Masud regarding the Salaf: “When a man amongst us learned ten verses [of the Qur’an], he would not move on [to the next verses] until he had understood their meanings and how to act by them.” [Al-Tabari].
    This Ramadan make sure you leave time to read the translation and tafsir of the portion you have recited. Ideally, if this is done during or straight after reciting, you will be able to reflect upon and internalize what you have just read. This also helps you develop a better relationship with the Qur’an, as you are fully aware of what it is that you have read. Give equal importance to reading texts, such as Ibn Kathir’s tafsir (or any other authentic tafsir or commentary you find easy or prefer) as you are reciting.
    Record your reflections. Make it a habit to spend some time thinking about the lessons you have learnt from the Surahs you read each day. Make a list of them so you are able to look back over them as the days pass. Even if it is something that you have read and understood previously, refreshing your mind about lessons presented in the Qur’an is a good way to ensure you are retaining the details.
    Try to make changes in your life. Following on from reflection, after reading and understanding lessons from the Qur’an, it is highly important to think of ways we can implement what we have learnt of the Qur’an, as that is the ultimate purpose of it being revealed. Taking the list described above, it is a good idea to jot down how you can make active changes in your life as a result of this.
    Be proactive and determined to apply the Qur’an into your life. Develop your character based on the Qur’an. Always remember the words of A’ishah when she was asked about the Prophet’s character:
    “Do you not recite the Qura’n? The character of the Messenger of Allah… was the Qur’an.” [Abu Dawud]
    There are many different lessons that we will come across when studying the Qur’an. Some may appear simple and straightforward for us to comprehend, while others may require us to ponder over them for some time. Ask Allah to help you improve your understanding and succeed in being active in changing your life based on lessons you learn from the Qur’an. It cannot be stressed enough the importance of turning to Allah to help you succeed in this quest to strengthen your Iman and character through studying the Qur’an.
    May this Ramadan be one in which our hearts absorb the teachings of the Qur’an and our limbs act upon it. For Muslims, may the Qur’an become a fixed constant in our life as our primary source of strength and guidance, Insha Allah. Ramadan Kareem.