وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍۢ

Certainly We have made the Qurʾān simple for the sake of admonishment.
So is there anyone who will be admonished?  (54:17)

To my readers, Salāmun ʿalaykum!

Welcome back to our Qurʾān Journey! As we continue to embark on this path of discovery and connection with His Divine Word, it is essential to have the right tools. Today’s post shares the practical side of Journaling – having the supplies that make this journey meaningful and deepening our understanding through reliable resources. With the right tools and the right guidance, our journey will be so enriching!

Inshāʿallāh you have now completed the first three steps of this journey!

In summary, the first post covered:

  1. Setting an Intention
  2. Finding your Qurʾān
  3. Setting Time aside for your Qurʾān

What comes next?

Essential Supplies for Journaling

You already have your Qurʾān, so now pair it with the following essential supplies:

  1. Have a pencil with your Qurʾān, always! As you’re reading through this beautiful guidance from Allah (swt), write shorthand notes in the margins of thoughts that come to your mind. Where you have a question, you can just place a small question mark, knowing that when you go through the Qurʾān a second time, or when you have more time to sit with it, you can research for answers.
  2. A notebook or journal to jot down your reflections, insights and questions. I personally use a bullet journal so I can doodle/sketch and also keep it aesthetically neat!
  3. Highlighters/Colour Pencils – these are great for marking themes or keywords. Something simple is sufficient – like colour pencils from the dollar/pound store. For example; maybe you want to highlight verses that inspire you or duʿās in the Qurʾān that you can turn to.
  4. Sticky Notes/Tabs – these can help flag verses that you want to revisit.
  5. Qurʾān Stickers – I personally recommend getting the www.caretocreate.ca Qurʾān Journaling Stickers – these help organize thoughts as you read through the Qurʾān and connect with the verses in a unique and colourful way.

It is important to understand that ‘building’ your essential supplies box is not an overnight process. With time, you’ll add things to the box that can somehow contribute to your journey. For example, when I first began, because I didn’t want to feel more overwhelmed than I was already feeling, I only kept a pencil and some coloured pencils. A few weeks later, I realized that I was coming across duʿās in the Qurʾān that I didn’t want to lose! So I went to the dollar store and picked up tabs … and slowly … more than a year on, my Qurʾān box now has many different supplies!

Authentic Tafsīr and Resources

While the journey may not begin with you researching every single āyah or story; with time you’ll see that you feel intrigued to find out a little bit more about a particular occasion. Why was a particular verse revealed? What does it mean in depth? And so it is good to have some reliable sources to turn to. Here are a few I have put together (and if you know more, please do not hesitate to share!)

  1. An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur’an
    1. Available in 20 volumes on Al-Islam.org
  2. Al-Islam.org is a great source to search different verses and Surah names to see if it has tafsīr from different scholars.
  3. Tafsir al-Mizan by the Late Allamah al-Tabataba’i
  4. The Hadith Database Project – Over 35,000 Hadith of the Ahlul Bayt – a wonderful way to connect Qurʾān and Hadith.

Using reliable and authentic tafsīr you can build your understanding of certain verses and stories in the Qurʾān.

Download a print-out of some great resources to place in your Qurʾān!

Personalize the Journey

In the first post, we highlighted the importance of setting time aside to Journey with the Qurʾān. Those joining this journey were tasked to find a time that aligns with your routine, whether it be first thing in the morning, between Dhuhr and ʿAsr prayers, or at night. 

Your Qurʾān journey is distinctive and personal, and the beauty lies in making it your own. Having chosen the supplies, now decide where your ‘Qurʾān Space’ will be. What part of your home will you dedicate to your time with God? There is no right or wrong way to connect with the Qurʾān, it’s about finding a momentum that nurtures your heart and deepens your bond with the Creator. Take it slow, enjoy the process, and allow this part of your routine to become a source of joy and peace.

Some things that worked really well for me:

  1. Creating a dedicated space: I have chosen spots in my home that feel intentional for this journey, like near my prayer mat or at my desk (with my computer off!). I avoided places like the sofa, where I usually relax or watch something, to make my Qurʾān Space distinct.
  2. Clearing my mind: Before beginning, I take a moment to close my eyes and mentally prepare for the next 15-20 minutes of focused reflection.
  3. Minimize distractions: My phone is out of sight and out of reach!
  4. Setting the Space: I light a warm candle sometimes and ensure my space is calm, and has good lighting.

When you’ve taken this step to internalize your intention and to sit with His Book, I guarantee you that the Beloved and Merciful Lord takes ten steps toward you in ways that you probably never thought possible!

Let’s Connect!

Your journey matters, and I’d love to hear about it! 

  1. What supplies are you starting with?
  2. Have you previously read any tafsīr? How did you find it?
  3. Share how you envision your ‘Qurʾān Space’.

Share your thoughts or even any questions you have in the comments below. 

May the light of the Noble Qurʾān guide and uplift your soul.

Duʿās with you,

Rumina