Tadabbur: how to reflect on the Quran
Allah sent the Quran so that people reflect on it, not only recite it. A few verses read with understanding can change your day.
Why reflect
كِتَٰبٌ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ إِلَيۡكَ مُبَٰرَكٞ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓاْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَٰبِ ﴿٢٩﴾
Kitabun anzalnahu ilayka mubarakun liyaddabbaroo ayatihi waliyatathakkara oloo alalbabi
[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded
Quran 38:29 · Surah Sad
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ أَمۡ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقۡفَالُهَآ ﴿٢٤﴾
Afala yatadabbaroona alqurana am ʿala quloobin aqfaluha
Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts
Quran 47:24 · Surah Muhammad
A simple daily method
- Pick a few verses, for example five.
- Read them in Arabic and in translation.
- Read a short tafsir (explanation), such as Ibn Kathir or a reliable abridged tafsir in your language.
- Ask three questions: What does Allah tell me about Himself? What does He ask me to do or avoid? What will I do today because of this?
- Write one sentence in a notebook.
- Recite those verses in your prayer that day.
Where to start
Short surahs from Juz Amma, Surah al-Kahf, Surah Yusuf, or the verses you already recite in salah. Browse all 114 surahs.
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