Grounded

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala Sayyidina Rasulillah wa ‘ala aalihi wa sahbihi wa man walah.

We continue our study of Surah Al-An’am, picking up from Ayah 9, where we explore the arguments of the Quraysh against the Prophet ﷺ and Allah’s responses to their objections.

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The Arguments of the Quraysh Against the Prophet ﷺ

1️⃣ Argument: “Show Us a Miracle Beyond Words!”

📖 Ayah 9:

“Even if We had sent down a book in writing, and they touched it with their hands, the disbelievers would still say, ‘This is nothing but magic!’”

🔹 The Qur’an was revealed orally, and the Quraysh demanded a physical book to believe in it.

🔹 Allah says that even if He sent down the Qur’an in written form, they would still reject it.

💡 Lesson:

• Disbelievers throughout history have always asked for miraculous signs but still rejected them.

• The true miracle of Islam is the Qur’an itself—a book of intellectual, linguistic, and spiritual miracles.

Historical Context: The Evolution of Paper & Bookbinding

🔹 The word “khirtas” (paper) in this ayah refers to the Egyptian papyrus, which was extremely rare in Arabia.

🔹 Paper, as we know it today, did not exist in Arabia during the Prophet’s time.

🔹 It was the Muslims who first introduced mass paper production after learning from Chinese captives in the Battle of Talas (132 Hijrah).

🔹 This led to the first bookbinding techniques, which allowed knowledge to be preserved and spread efficiently.

💡 Lesson:

• Islamic civilisation embraced knowledge—whether from Chinese, Indians, or Greeks—and used it to advance humanity.

• Muslims never divided knowledge into “Islamic” and “non-Islamic.” If it was beneficial, they adopted it.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh!

Alhamdulillah, we are now on the 4th day of Ramadan—a month of forgiveness, Qur’an, and blessings.

In this session, we will discuss:

✅ Why fasting enhances our connection with the Qur’an.

✅ Understanding the human soul, nafs, and ruh.

✅ Tajweed rules: Idgham, Ikhfa, and practical application from our Ayah of the Week (Surah Ar-Rahman 26-35).

Why Does Fasting Strengthen Our Connection with the Qur’an?

Fasting has always been linked to divine revelation.

📖 Prophet Musa (AS) fasted for 40 days and nights before receiving the Tawrah.

📖 Prophet Isa (AS) fasted for 40 days before beginning his prophetic mission.

📖 Prophet Muhammad ﷺ practised spiritual seclusion in Cave Hira, fasting in the day and worshipping at night, before receiving the first revelation in Ramadan.

The Connection Between Fasting & Spiritual Awareness

Human beings are more than just physical bodies. We have:

🔹 Ruh (Soul): The source of spiritual purity, strengthened by good deeds, dhikr, and Qur’an.

🔹 Nafs (Desires): The source of earthly cravings, constantly seeking more and never satisfied.

🔹 Aql (Intellect): The judge between the two, deciding which to prioritise.

Fasting weakens the nafs and strengthens the ruh.

💡 When we control food, desires, and distractions, our spiritual heart is more receptive to the Qur’an.

Tajweed Tuesday – Understanding Idgham (Full Merger)

Review of Past Tajweed Lessons

✅ Tajweed means beautifying our recitation by learning letter articulation and stopping rules (waqf).

✅ Avoiding mistakes:

• Major mistakes (Lahn Jali): Changing letters or harakat (can change meaning).

• Minor mistakes (Lahn Khafi): Imperfect pronunciation (doesn’t change meaning but affects beauty).

✅ Previous rules covered:

• Mad Asli (basic elongation).

• Wajibul Ghunna (compulsory nasal sound).

• Nun Sakin & Tanwin rules.

🔍 Today’s Focus: Idgham (Full Merger)

Idgham happens when Nun Sakinah (نْ) or Tanwin (ــًــٍــٌ) meets certain letters, causing the sound to merge into the next letter.

📝 Letters of Idgham: ي ر م ل و ن

💡 Mnemonic formula: “يَرْمَلُون”

Two Types of Idgham:

1️⃣ Idgham with Ghunna (Bi Ghunna) – nasal sound required

📌 Letters: ي – و – م – ن

📌 Example:

🔹 مِمْ مَّاءٍ → mim maa’ (instead of min maa’)

🔹 مِنْ نَّارٍ → min naar (instead of min naar)

2️⃣ Idgham without Ghunna (Bila Ghunna) – no nasal sound

📌 Letters: ل – ر

📌 Example:

🔹 بَرْزَخٌ لَا → barzakh laa (instead of barzakhu laa)

🔹 مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ → mir rabbihim

📌 Key Rule:

If Nun Sakinah/Tanwin meets ي – و – م – ن, read it with Ghunna (nasal sound).

If Nun Sakinah/Tanwin meets ل – ر, read it without Ghunna.

🔍 Practical Application: Tajweed in Surah Ar-Rahman (Ayahs 26-35)

💡 Key Takeaways

✅ Idgham (Full Merger) happens when Nun Sakinah/Tanwin meets Yarmaloon letters (ي ر م ل و ن).

✅ If it meets ي – و – م – ن → Read with Ghunna.

✅ If it meets ل – ر → Read without Ghunna.

✅ Ikhfa (Half Merger) happens when Nun Sakinah meets other letters (except Idgham & Izhar letters).

📌 Closing Reflections

💡 Reading Qur’an in Ramadan carries multiplied rewards!

🔹 Every letter = 10 good deeds 💎

🔹 In Ramadan, these rewards are multiplied beyond calculation!

📖 “Whoever recites one letter from the Book of Allah will receive ten rewards.” (Tirmidhi)

🤲 May Allah accept our fasting, Qur’an recitation, and efforts in this blessed month.

📅 Next Session: Tafsir Thursday – Deep dive into the meaning and lessons of Surah Ar-Rahman 26-35.

📖 Happy reading! Keep practising and see you on Thursday inshaAllah!

Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Alhamdulillah, we are in the blessed month of Ramadan, a time of immense mercy, forgiveness, and spiritual elevation.

Maximising the Nights of Ramadan

🔹 The last ten nights will arrive sooner than we expect.

🔹 The most blessed night of the year is Laylatul Qadr, as the Prophet ﷺ told us:

“Ramadan has a night greater than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its blessings has been deprived of all good.”

This may sound like a harsh statement, but think about what Laylatul Qadr offers:

🕊️ One night of sincere worship = more than 83 years of reward!

🕊️ It happens every year, meaning we can accumulate centuries’ worth of worship in our lifetime.

🕊️ Even the simplest acts are multiplied!

How to Ensure You Catch Laylatul Qadr?

🌙 The night starts from Maghrib and ends at Fajr. Every act of worship in this period is counted.

🌙 Even basic actions like praying Maghrib and Isha in Jama’ah can earn the reward of Laylatul Qadr.

BeQuranic is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

3 Easy Ways to Secure Laylatul Qadr Rewards:

1️⃣ Pray Isha in Jama’ah → Counts as half of the night in worship.

2️⃣ Pray Fajr in Jama’ah → Counts as the entire night in worship.

3️⃣ Pray Qiyam (Taraweeh) with the Imam until the end → The Prophet ﷺ said,

“Whoever prays with the Imam until he completes (the prayer) will receive the reward of praying the entire night.”

💡 That means even if you don’t spend the whole night awake, just performing these actions guarantees you immense rewards!

✨ If we do this every night in Ramadan, inshaAllah, we won’t miss Laylatul Qadr.

Continuing Our Tafsir: Surah Al-An’am (Ayah 5-9)

We continue our journey through Surah Al-An’am, where Allah warns the Quraysh and reminds them of past civilizations who were destroyed for their arrogance and disbelief.

📖 Ayah 5:

“They rejected the truth when it came to them, but soon they will see the consequences of their mockery.”

💡 Key Lesson:

• When people mock and belittle faith, they do not harm Islam, they harm themselves.

• The truth remains regardless of whether people accept or reject it.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, and welcome to BeQuranic.

Alhamdulillah, we are now in the greatest month of the year—the blessed month of Ramadan.

Ramadan: The Month of the Qur’an

Allah tells us in the Qur’an:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنِ

“The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur’an was revealed…” (2:185)

🔹 The entire greatness of Ramadan is because of the Qur’an.

🔹 We fast to strengthen our connection with the Qur’an.

🔹 This means our focus should not just be on food or hunger but on immersing ourselves in the Book of Allah.

Prioritising the Qur’an in Our Lives

I know we all have busy schedules—work, studies, family commitments—but let’s take some time away from distractions.

📱 Reduce social media scrolling.

📺 Cut down on TV shows or unnecessary entertainment.

🕒 Find 30 to 60 minutes daily for Qur’an recitation.

Even small efforts in Ramadan are multiplied in reward—so let’s make Qur’an a priority this month.

Tilawa-thon – Reading for Gaza

If you are a Qaswa student, we have Tilawa-thon running this Ramadan:

🔹 Track every minute you spend reciting the Qur’an.

🔹 Find a sponsor to pledge a donation for every minute read.

🔹 At the end of Ramadan, all funds raised will be sent to Gaza, inshaAllah.

✨ “Read, Raise, and Rebuild Gaza.”

This initiative combines Quran and charity—two of the most powerful acts of worship in this blessed month.

🔸 Ramadan is the month of giving.

🔸 The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of people, and in Ramadan, he was even more generous.

Let’s follow his example by increasing both our Qur’an recitation and our charity.

Qur’an Recitation: Surah Ar-Rahman (26-35)

Now, let’s recite our Ayat of the Week—Surah Ar-Rahman, Ayah 26 to 35.

🎙️ Recite along with me and practice daily.

Qaswa Coin Rewards

📌 Reminder for Qaswa Students:

• If you practice these ayat every day,

• By the end of the week, when we meet at Qaswa,

• You can claim your Qaswa Coins as a reward!

This encourages discipline in Qur’an recitation while making learning fun and engaging.

Tajweed Tuesday – Coming Up Next

📅 Join us on Tuesday for Tajweed Tuesday, where we will:

✔ Break down the Tajweed rules in these Ayat of the Week.

✔ Focus on proper pronunciation and recitation techniques.

✔ Improve our fluency and confidence in Qur’an reading.

So, keep practicing and stay consistent in your recitation.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

Alhamdulillah, welcome to Be Quranic.

This is the blessed month of Ramadan—Ramadan Mubarak to everyone! May Allah bless us in this month with a fasting full of Iman and sincerity, leading to taqwa and forgiveness from Him.

The Be Quranic Taraweeh Approach

Each Ramadan, I choose one surah as my pet surah to study and recite throughout the month in Taraweeh.

I lead Taraweeh with the Qaswa community here in Perth, and our approach may differ slightly from other places.

We select one surah and deeply study it throughout the month. Each night before Taraweeh, we have a short tafsir session, and the ayat covered in tafsir are then recited in salah. This means we repeat the same ayat for several nights—allowing us to develop a deeper connection with the Qur’an.

This method helps us internalise the surah and absorb its meanings so that when we hear the recitation in prayer, it resonates more deeply with us.

BeQuranic is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

A Journey Through Past Ramadans

We started this approach in 2019 with Surah Al-Baqarah.

In 2020, due to COVID restrictions, we opted for Surah Al-Kahf, keeping things shorter and simpler.

By 2021, restrictions were still fluctuating, so we went through Juz Amma, studying and repeating it in our Taraweeh prayers.

Then, in 2022, as things returned to normal, we resumed our original format with Surah Ali ’Imran, followed by Surah An-Nisa in 2023, and Surah Al-Ma’idah in 2024.

This year, 2025, our chosen surah is Surah Al-An’am.

The Purpose of This Approach

This is not just an intellectual tafsir—it is a practical approach. We extract real-life lessons from the surah, which we can turn into action points for the next 11 months.

Each Ramadan, we add a new checklist of Qur’anic principles to live by, so that over the years, we gradually build our character through the Qur’an.

This way, we don’t just read or listen to the Qur’an—we live by it.

Introduction to Makki Surahs

What Makes a Surah Makki?

The division of Makki and Madani Surahs is not based on geography—it is based on time.

• Makki Surahs were revealed before Hijrah when the Prophet ﷺ was based in Makkah.

• Madani Surahs were revealed after Hijrah, even if they were revealed outside of Madinah.

For example:

• Surah An-Nasr (إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ) was revealed in Makkah but is still a Madani Surah because it was revealed after the migration.

• Surah Al-Fath (إِنَّا فَتَحْنَا لَكَ فَتْحًا مُّبِينًا) was revealed near Hudaybiyyah, closer to Makkah than Madinah, yet it’s a Madani Surah.

So, the division is based on period, not place.

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What Makes Makki Surahs Unique?

The 13 years in Makkah were the toughest years for the early Muslims. They were a minority, oppressed, and struggling against an overwhelming opposition.

During this time, there were no major laws—no fasting, no zakah, no hijab. Even the five daily prayers were only fully established towards the end of the Makkan period.

So, what was the focus of Makki Surahs?

👉 Building Iman and Character

Makki Surahs emphasise Aqidah (belief), universal morality, and justice.

They cover three main topics:

1️⃣ Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) – Teaching people about Allah’s greatness and rejecting idol worship.

2️⃣ Prophethood – Establishing the truth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and previous prophets.

3️⃣ Akhirah (Afterlife) – Descriptions of Jannah, Jahannam, and accountability on the Day of Judgment.

These themes are reinforced through two methods:

✅ 1. Reminders of Allah’s Favours

• How Allah created the heavens, the earth, food, sustenance, etc.

• Encouraging gratitude and reflection.

✅ 2. Lessons from History

• The stories of past nations who rejected the truth and were destroyed.

• Reinforcing that history repeats itself—those who reject Allah always face consequences.

What Made the Early Muslims in Makkah So Special?

When we think of a “practicing Muslim” today, we might imagine:

✔ Long beard

✔ Wearing a thawb

✔ Praying five times a day

✔ Reciting Quran beautifully

But none of these were defining traits of the early Muslims in Makkah!

🔹 There was no hijab yet.

🔹 There was no fasting yet.

🔹 There was no formal five daily salah in the early years.

So what made them stand out?

👉 Their attachment to the Quran. They lived by it, recited it, and invited others to it.

👉 Their commitment to justice. They were the first to stand up for the oppressed—feeding the poor, freeing slaves, and fighting injustice.

That’s why Abu Bakr (RA) spent his wealth freeing slaves like Bilal (RA). That’s why Muslims were known for feeding prisoners—even those who had fought against them!

Their akhlaq (character) and integrity made them distinct.

The Role of Nature in the Qur’an’s Guidance

One of the most beautiful aspects of the Makki Surahs is how Allah connects nature to moral lessons.

The Sky & Justice – Surah Ar-Rahman

Allah says in Surah Ar-Rahman:

“And the sky, He raised it, and He set the balance, so do not transgress in the balance. And establish justice and do not shortchange the scales.” (55:7-9)

Every time you look up at the sky, it should remind you of justice.

• Just as the sky is perfectly balanced, our dealings in life should be just.

• Just as the stars are fixed, we should uphold fairness in everything we do.

So when you go outside and see a clear sky, it should remind you that you cannot cheat, lie, or oppress others.

The Stars & the Qur’an’s Order

Allah says in Surah Al-Waqi’ah:

“So I swear by the setting of the stars. And indeed, this is a mighty oath, if only you knew. Indeed, it is a noble Qur’an.” (56:75-77)

What is the connection between stars and the Qur’an?

• To an untrained eye, the stars look like a beautiful mess—scattered, random.

• But to a trained navigator, stars are a source of guidance.

Likewise, the Qur’an might seem random to someone unfamiliar with its structure. But when you study it deeply, you see its divine order and wisdom.

This reminds me of something we do in Perth—we go crabbing in summer.

• When you’re out in the darkness, in the middle of the ocean, and you look up at the night sky, it’s overwhelming.

• But if you know your stars, you can navigate your way home.

Similarly, the Qur’an is a guide for those who seek it.

The First Ayah of Surah Al-An’am

Surah Al-An’am starts with:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ الظُّلُمَاتِ وَالنُّورَ

“Praise be to Allah, who created the heavens and the earth and made darkness and light.”

This is the second surah in the Qur’an that begins with Alhamdulillah.

🔹 Surah Al-Fatiha – General gratitude for everything in life.

🔹 Surah Al-An’am – Gratitude for guidance—the distinction between light and darkness (truth & falsehood).

🔹 Surah Al-Kahf – Gratitude for the Qur’an.

Each Alhamdulillah is placed strategically, reminding us to be grateful at key points in the Qur’an.

Conclusion & What’s Next

Today, we covered:

✅ What makes a surah Makki

✅ The key themes in Makki Surahs

✅ How nature reinforces the Qur’an’s message

✅ The stars as a metaphor for Qur’anic order

✅ The first ayah of Surah Al-An’am

Tomorrow, we’ll continue with more ayat from Surah Al-An’am, inshaAllah.

May Allah accept our fasting and prayers this Ramadan, and may we emerge from it with renewed Iman, taqwa, and a deeper connection to the Qur’an.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

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Welcome to BeQuranic!

Today is Thursday, the 28th of Shaaban—which means Ramadan is just around the corner! 🌙

For those of us in Australia, we’ll be starting our fast this Saturday, the 1st of Ramadan. That makes it easy to remember, right? 1st of Ramadan on the 1st of March! May Allah grant us a Ramadan filled with Iman and sincerity.

Now, let’s start today with an important hadith.

📖 The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever fasts in Ramadan with faith and sincerity—expecting only Allah’s reward—will have all their past sins forgiven.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

BeQuranic is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Imagine that. A fresh start. A clean slate. A chance to come out of Ramadan with all our sins wiped away. That’s our goal. May Allah allow us to enter Ramadan with the right mindset and leave it purified. Ameen.

And on that note, welcome to Tafsir Thursday! 🎉

For the past two weeks, we’ve been diving into Surah Ar-Rahman, and it’s been beautiful.

🔹 Week 1: We looked at the name Ar-Rahman—what it truly means and why it’s unique among Allah’s names.

🔹 Week 2: We discussed Allah’s blessings—the Quran, speech, and the balance in creation.

And today, we continue our journey through this incredible surah.

There’s one powerful reminder I want to bring up as we prepare for Ramadan.

In Surah Ar-Rahman, Allah tells us:

📖 الشَّمۡسُ وَٱلۡقَمَرُ بِحُسۡبَانٖ

“The sun and the moon move with precision.” (Surah Ar-Rahman: 5)

Think about this for a second.

Allah is teaching us about the value of time—and Ramadan is the best time to reflect on this.

We all know about “Muslim time” (where 6:00 PM actually means 6:30 PM 😅). But Ramadan doesn’t work like that.

🔹 Maghrib is at 6:59 PM? You break your fast at 6:59, not a second later.

🔹 Fajr is at 4:30 AM? You stop eating at 4:30, not 4:31.

SubhanAllah, Ramadan trains us to be precise with time.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Welcome to BeQuranic!

Today is Tuesday, the 26th of Shaaban, 1446 Hijrah—which means Ramadan is just a few days away! SubhanAllah, we are so close to the blessed month, the month of the Qur’an.

And since it’s Tajweed Tuesday, let’s make the most of these last few days by working on beautifying our Qur’anic recitation. After all, what better way to prepare for Ramadan than by improving the way we connect with the words of Allah?

Before we dive into today’s lesson, let’s do a quick recap of what we’ve covered so far.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored:

✅ The meaning of Tajweed – which is all about enhancing our recitation by following the rules of pronunciation, knowing how letters interact with each other, and understanding when to stop and when to continue.

✅ Major and minor mistakes in Tajweed – Some mistakes, like switching letters or changing vowels, can actually alter the meaning of the ayah, and we absolutely need to avoid them. Other mistakes, like slight mispronunciations, don’t change the meaning, but they still affect the beauty of our recitation.

✅ Mad Asli (the foundational elongation) – Remember the golden rule? “Nuhiha” – three letters:

• Alif after a Fathah

• Waw after a Dhammah

• Ya after a Kasrah

And we hold them for two harakat. Simple, right? But crucial, because missing it completely changes the meaning. Like how:

🔹 “La tadh-hab” means “Do not go,” but

🔹 “La tadhab” means “You will surely go.”

That one little stretch makes all the difference!

✅ Wajibul Ghunnah (the compulsory nasal sound) – This applies when Noon (ن) or Meem (م) have a Shaddah (ّ) on them. We make a soft, deep nasal sound and hold it for two harakat.

Alright, now that we’ve refreshed our memory, let’s get into today’s new lesson!

Today, we’re talking about a very important rule:

👉 The Rules of Noon Sakinah (نْ) and Tanween (ــًــٍــٌ)

Now, you might be thinking: “Wait… what does Tanween have to do with Noon Sakinah?”

Good question! Because even though Tanween doesn’t have a visible Noon, it actually contains a hidden Noon sound.

Try this:

Say “Kitaabun” (كِتَابٌ) slowly.

Can you hear the “n” sound at the end? That’s a hidden Noon Sakinah.

So, the rules of Noon Sakinah and Tanween are exactly the same.

In the Madina Mushaf, you’ll notice that Noon Sakinah and Tanween are written in three different ways:

1️⃣ Apparent Noon Sakinah (نْ with a visible sukoon)

2️⃣ Non-Apparent Noon Sakinah (نْ but without the sukoon sign)

3️⃣ Tanween with a small meem (م)

Each of these has a different rule, but today, we’re focusing on the first two.

When Noon Sakinah or Tanween meets one of these six letters:

🔸 Hamzah (ء)

🔸 Ha (هـ)

🔸 ‘Ayn (ع)

🔸 Ha (ح)

🔸 Ghain (غ)

🔸 Kha (خ)

…we pronounce the Noon clearly with no nasal sound.

This is called Idhar Halqi (الإظهار الحلقي), which literally means “clear throat letters” – because all of these letters come from the throat.

Let’s try an example:

📖 مَنۡ آمَنَ (Man aamana) – “Whoever believes”

See how the Noon in “Man” is pronounced fully and clearly? That’s Idhar Halqi!

But, if we had a different letter after Noon, the rule would change. And we’ll explore that in another lesson, inshaAllah!

Now, let’s put this into practice with our Ayat of the Week – from Surah Ar-Rahman, Ayah 17 to 25.

I’ll recite and point out the key Tajweed rules.

Alright, that’s all for Tajweed Tuesday this week!

Take a few moments to practice these ayat. Be mindful of your Makharij (letter articulation), Mad (elongation), and of course, Idhar Halqi—the clear Noon.

Remember, Tajweed is not just about rules—it’s about reciting the words of Allah with care, love, and precision.

And what better time to perfect it than just before Ramadan? 🌙

I’ll see you again on Thursday for Tafsir Thursday, where we’ll dive into the meaning of these beautiful ayat from Surah Ar-Rahman.

Until then, keep practicing, keep reflecting, and keep growing in your connection with the Qur’an.

17. ˹He is˺ Lord of the two easts and the two wests.

18. Then which of your Lord’s favours will you both deny?

19. He merges the two bodies of ˹fresh and salt˺ water,

20. yet between them is a barrier they never cross.

21. Then which of your Lord’s favours will you both deny?

22. Out of both ˹waters˺ come forth pearls and coral.

23. Then which of your Lord’s favours will you both deny?

24. To Him belong the ships with raised sails, sailing through the seas like mountains.

25. Then which of your Lord’s favours will you both deny?

Khattab, Dr. Mustafa. The Clear Quran: A Thematic English Translation ("Allah" edition) (Function). Kindle Edition.

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh!

Welcome back to BeQuranic!

Today is Thursday, the 21st of Sha’ban 1446H, which means Ramadan is just days away!

Depending on the length of Sha’ban—whether 29 or 30 days—we could be fasting in just over a week! Are we prepared for this blessed month?

Now is the time to:

📖 Start reading the Quran consistently

📚 Familiarize ourselves with the meanings of the surahs that will be recited in Taraweeh

🕌 Prepare spiritually, mentally, and physically to make the most of Ramadan

For many of us, Arabic is not our first language, so understanding what the Imam recites will help us connect deeper with the Quran and enhance our khushu’ in Taraweeh.

BeQuranic is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Tafsir of Surah Ar-Rahman – Ayah 3 to 7

Last week, we covered:

✅ The meaning of Ar-Rahman—which goes beyond mercy and compassion

✅ The uniqueness of the name Ar-Rahman, appearing alone in the Quran unlike most of Allah’s names, which are often paired

✅ The importance of pausing at each ayah to reflect, since every ayah is a sign (ayah)

Today, we continue with Ayah 3 to 7 of Surah Ar-Rahman.

Ayah 3: خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ

“He created the human being.”

Out of His mercy, Allah created us—but what does insan (human) really mean?

Linguists say that insan comes from two root words:

1️⃣ Uns (أُنس) – which means affection, companionship, and social connection.

• Humans crave companionship; we struggle with isolation.

• We saw this during COVID lockdowns, when many people suffered from loneliness and depression.

• Our need for love and social bonds is a sign of Allah’s Rahman—the smallest fraction of His mercy that He placed in our hearts.

2️⃣ Nasiya (نسي) – which means to forget.

• Forgetting is a gift from Allah! Imagine if we could never forget pain, grief, or loss.

• Over time, our hearts heal, relationships mend, and we move forward.

• Even when we memorize the Quran, we must repeat and review—which multiplies our rewards!

💡 Reflection:

Our love for others and our ability to forget pain are both manifestations of Allah’s Rahman—reminding us that we are sustained by His mercy.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh!

Welcome back to BeQuranic!

Today is Tuesday, the 19th of Sha’ban, which means it’s Tajweed Tuesday!

We’re going to break down the Tajweed rules from this week’s ayat—Ayat 8 to 16 of Surah Ar-Rahman.

Now, the 19th of Sha’ban also means we’re just 10 or 11 days away from the blessed month of Ramadan!

We ask Allah to bless us in Sha’ban, accept all our good deeds from Rajab and Sha’ban, and allow us to reach Ramadan in the best of faith and health. May we fast in a way that nurtures taqwa, read the Qur’an in a way that connects us to its divine message, and live as true Muslims, inshaAllah.

Now, let’s dive into today’s Tajweed theory before we move on to practical application with Ayat 8-16 of Surah Ar-Rahman.

Quick Recap of Last Week’s Lesson

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Last week, we covered:

✔ What is Tajweed?

• The science of perfecting Qur’anic recitation—giving each letter its due rights and merging letters properly.

• It also includes knowing when to stop and where to restart so the meaning of the ayah remains intact.

✔ Two Types of Tajweed Errors:

• Major errors (Lahn Jali): Mistakes that change the meaning, like mispronouncing letters or harakat.

• These mistakes can invalidate prayer, especially in Surah Al-Fatiha.

• Minor errors (Lahn Khafi): Mistakes that don’t change the meaning but affect the beauty of recitation.

✔ The First Tajweed Rule: Mad Asli (Natural Madd)

• Three letters of Mad Asli: Alif, Waw, and Ya

• Example formula: Nuhiha

• Two harakat length

• Changing Mad Asli can alter the meaning—e.g., لَا تَذْهَبْ (Don’t go) vs. لَتَذْهَبَنَّ (You will surely go).

If you missed the full breakdown, check out last week’s Tajweed Tuesday episode for details!

New Tajweed Rule: Wajibul Ghunnah (Mandatory Nasal Sound)

Today, we’re learning Wajibul Ghunnah—which means it’s compulsory to pronounce with a nasal sound.

✔ Only TWO letters produce Ghunnah:

• ن (Noon) and م (Meem) when they have a Shaddah (ّ)

Even without a Shaddah, Noon and Meem already have a natural nasal sound. But when they have Shaddah, it becomes Wajibul Ghunnah, meaning you must pronounce it with a clear nasalization.

Test It Yourself:

Try pronouncing “An” (أن) or “Um” (أم) while pinching your nose.

• If the sound gets blocked, that’s because these letters require nasal airflow!

• If you have a blocked nose, you will struggle to pronounce Ghunnah properly.

✔ When you see Noon or Meem with Shaddah (ّ) → Apply Ghunnah!

✔ Example words:

• إنَّ (Inna)

• ثُمَّ (Thumma)

Let’s Apply These Rules: Surah Ar-Rahman (Ayat 8-16)

This week’s recitation is a bit challenging because it contains letters that are very close in articulation but must be pronounced distinctly.

Remember: Every letter must get its due right!

Now, let’s go through the Tajweed breakdown of Ayat 8 to 16 step by step.

🎙 (Recite Ayat 8-16, stopping at key points to highlight Tajweed rules)

✔ Key Tajweed Lessons from this Week’s Ayat:

1️⃣ Heavy vs. Light Letters:

• ط (Taa) is heavy but ت (Taa) is light

• Example: لَا تَطْغَوْا

• Pronounce: Ta (light) vs. Taa (heavy with back of tongue raised)

2️⃣ Mad Asli (Two Harakat):

• Example: وَأَقِيمُوا الْوَزْنَ

• Don’t over-stretch or shorten it!

3️⃣ Half vs. Full Merging (Idgham):

• Full Merger: When Tanween or Noon Sakin meets Yarmaloon (يرملون) letters → The “n” sound disappears completely.

• Half Merger: When it meets other letters, the Noon sound is softened but not fully gone.

• Example: مِنْ صَفْوَانٍ → The Noon Sakin before Saad is a half merger.

4️⃣ Longest Madd (6 Harakat) – Mat Lazim Muthaqal:

• Example: جَانَّ

• You see the wavy sign (~~) AND a Shaddah → That’s a compulsory elongation of six harakat!

5️⃣ Wajibul Ghunnah in Action:

• إِنَّ (Inna) and ثُمَّ (Thumma) – Both have Noon/Mim with Shaddah → Apply Ghunnah!

Final Recap & Full Recitation

Now that we’ve broken it down, let’s recite the full Ayat 8-16 together while paying attention to all the Tajweed rules we’ve learned today.

🎙 (Recite Ayat 8-16 clearly, applying all Tajweed rules discussed.)

That’s It for Tajweed Tuesday!

What we learned today:

✔ Mad Asli (Two Harakat)

✔ Wajibul Ghunnah (Mandatory Nasal Sound for Noon & Meem with Shaddah)

✔ Merging – Full & Half Mergers

✔ Heavy & Light Letter Pronunciation

✔ Mat Lazim Muthaqal (Compulsory 6-Harakat Madd)

InshaAllah, I’ll see you on Thursday for Tafsir Thursday, where we’ll explore the deeper meanings and wisdom of this week’s ayat!

Until then, keep practicing your Tajweed, and may Allah bless our efforts in perfecting His divine words.

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