The challenges of learning definitely increase when you vow to learn something that is in a langue not mother tongue to you. The odds are even more when the language under consideration is as diversified and as complexly structured as the Arabic language.

In fact, that is the reason we see scores of little children with their heads covered and hands holding the Honorable Qur’an, moving towards in form of groups (or even individually) to some formal Quran school in their local vicinity.

Holy Quran is regarded as the Divine Scripture associated to Islam and Muslims. It was blessed onto this Ummah by virtue of Allah Almighty’s last Apostle, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) well over 14 centuries by now. Allah Almighty addresses His beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the following words at one occasion, as mentioned in Holy Quran:

Maryam [19:97] So We have made this (the Qur’ân) easy in your own tongue (O Muhammad SAW), only that you may give glad tidings to the Muttaqûn (pious and righteous persons), and warn with it the Luda (most quarrelsome) people.

Since the ultimate objective of a faithful Muslim’s life is to live it like “Muttakeen” (as mentioned in the verse narrated above), therefore, learning Quran comes as a religious obligation quite imperative to all Muslims who want to live their lives in a manner that can please The One who deserves all praise and submission, i.e. Allah Almighty.

In fact, every Muslim should try to lead such a life, and one road leading to the ultimate reality of life comes by following the teachings of Allah Almighty as mentioned in Qur’an.

Present age can definitely be regarded as an age of confusion and contradictions. Majority of people in our times seem to be the victims of confusion and uncertainty in one way or the other. Though the world has gone miles ahead in material well being, endowing today’s population with material ease and convenience that was never deemed possible just a few decades ago.

All the technological development seems to focus on providing bodily ease and convenience to people, while mental peace is becoming increasingly hard to come by. Even the societies of the West, which are considered to be exemplary in terms of material well being, are troubled in terms of mental peace and serenity. Their philanthropists apparently fail to find reasons which can help their people stop considering suicide as an option.

The fact of the matter is that Western world might not be able to find the real cause of their societies’ moral decline, but it lies in their distancing from religious values. Western societies find their pride in being labeled as “secular”, separating them from religious beliefs in general, but this is serving as the real cause behind majority of their troubles.

In fact, religion is the path that guides humans towards worldly and heavenly blessings. Talking of religion, Islam is the only religion that serves the true purpose of guiding humanity ever since it was bestowed to mankind 1400 years ago, as mentioned in Quran:

This day, I have perfected your religionforyou and completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…” (Holy Qur’an, 5:3)

Luckily, the same material development of modern age also bestows today’s population the opportunity of knowing more about this true religion quite conveniently through Online Quran school, an innovative concept that enables people from all around the world to access the teachings of Islam by learning Quran and other Islamic values through such online schools.

All a person needs in this case is a computer system equipped with internet access, and anyone can find guidance in this regard from qualified Quran tutors present online 24/7, making the process of knowing Islam convenient and interesting.

Books are the best companions, as it is said, and quite rightly so, because books not only offer you the best of company, but also increase you in knowledge and wisdom. The best thing about books is that they are always ready to serve you, without any restraints of time and place. No matter when you pick up a book, it will always company you amicably, unlike human friends who are subject to so many restraints of different kinds.

That is why we see people resorting to books, not only for getting best of company, but also for seeking improvement in their knowledge and wisdom. These are the benefits of common books that we see around us. Imagine how beneficial a book would be that Allah Almighty claims as His very own.

Do not be surprised, because there is a book holding this honor, i.e. the Holy Quran. Consider the following verse to get it clear:

“Indeed it is We who have sent down the Quran, and indeed it is Us who shall preserve it.” (Surah 15:9)

Since it is a book of Allah, you need to resort to it with great care and concern, which shall be guided to you aptly by none other than a Quran teacher, an honorable person who shall not only teach you how to read and understand it, but should also intimate you with how to pay respect and regard to this holiest of all books.

Remember, quran teacher is not an ordinary person; he is among the best of persons, as mentioned in the following hadith:

“The best of you is he who has learnt the Qur’an and then taught it.” (Bukhari)

It is a matter of daily routine that one’s face and hand get dirty and polluted due to their exposure to outside world and people run towards their favorite cleanser as soon as they reach the confines and convenience of their abodes.

This makes one thing clear, our body parts that get exposure of the environment around us tends to get dirty and polluted; how it could be possible that our souls remain unaffected from the same environment.

Well, you must have never thought from this perspective, but you cannot deny the truth it beholds. How is it possible that you need a cleanser for bodily dirt and pollution, but you never seem to be bothered about the dirt and pollution being dumped on your soul? Isn’t it quite strange? Don’t you think you should also think about cleansing of your soul as well?

Well, there is one act that serves as a cleanser for your soul, stripping all the dirt off your soul, i.e. Quran recitation. It serves as a means to connect you with your creator Allah Almighty, so that He can dust off all the dirt from your soul.

That is why recitation of Quran is focused so much in Islamic ways of life. In fact, Allah Almighty and His Apostle Muhammad (PBUH) insist about Quran recitation greatly. The following verse and hadith act as a proof to it:

Al-Waqia [56:77] That (this) is indeed an honourable recitation (the Noble Qur’ân).

And

Truly the one who has one of the finest voices among the people for reciting the Qur’an is the one whom you think fears Allah when you hear him recite.”

Al-Araf [7:52] For We had certainly sent unto them a book, based on knowledge, which We explained in detail― a guide and a mercy to all who believe.

This is how Allah Almighty addresses people at one place in Holy Quran, a book that Allah claims to be constituted with nothing other than His own pure words. Apparently, Holy Quran is a religious Scripture of Muslims, but it is unlike all other Scriptures in countless ways. Its sanctity is higher than that of any other, because none other than Allah vows to maintain it:

“Indeed it is We who have sent down the Quran, and indeed it is Us who shall preserve it.” (Surah 15:9)

No book on earth enjoys this honor but the Holy Quran. That is why, in order to show

our

gratitude to Allah Almighty, we should try to read and learn Quran as much as we can. This will not only help us learn Quran, but this will help us learn more about Allah Almighty and be close to him.

This honored journey of learning Quran can be started as simply as Online Quran Reading¸ a concept that is proving most helpful in spreading the word of God all across the world. Muslims all over the world can enjoy the benefits and conveniences that are part and parcel of Online Quran Reading.

Out of countless benefits, the most important benefit of Online Quran Reading is that it unchains a person from traditional confines of time and physical presence for Quran learning. Anyone from any part of the world (with internet access) can resort to it because almost all the setups of Online Quran are available 24/7. So, if you also want to fulfill this honored religious obligation, you might do the same.

The importance of Quran is manifold in Islam. Quran is the divine revelation of Allah and it contains the message of Allah. Allah has provided the mankind with important revelations in the Quran which can lead Muslims to the path of truth and glory if they can comprehend the true meaning of the teachings of Allah. Allah says in the Holy Quran,

“Will they not ponder over the Qur’an?” (Qur’an, 47:24)

According to a Hadith,

“The people of the Qur’an are the people of Allah and His chosen friends.”

Muslims are encouraged to read and recite the Quran and follow its teachings because Allah communicates with His servants through the Holy Quran. Allah has also provided guidance regarding all aspects of life through the Quran. Therefore, if Muslims read and recite the Quran regularly, they may find answers to all their questions. Allah also rewards those who recite the Quran and lead their life in line with the teachings of the Quran.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Quran recitation and reading takes on more importance as more and more Muslims read Quran to gain the blessings and rewards of Allah. Additionally, during this month, if you take out time to understand its teachings, you might be able to see the truth in the verses of the Quran.

Quran is the ultimate source of guidance for humanity. It is a divine revelation and the final books that will ever be revealed upon the mankind. Allah protects the Quran Himself and it is for this reason that not a single word of the Quran has been altered.

Wherever in the human race when people see a female all wrapped up in clothing where only the hands, feet, and face are able to be seen, people at once conclude that the woman is from a Muslim descent. The clothing that Muslim women wear to cover up their head and body is called Hijab. The Muslim women have to face different reactions from non-Muslim people; it became a subject whether Muslim women should wear a Hijab, and if ever wearing the Islamic dress is still appropriate in the present time. It is compulsory for Muslims women, there are many Quranic verses and Ahadith about Hijab that, explain the importance of Hijab.

Allah (SWT) says in Surah 24, verses 30 – 31 what means:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them! Allah is Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and  and their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands fathers, or their sons or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers or their brothers’ sons or sisters sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigor, or children who know naught of women’s nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed”.

Holy Quran which instructed that both Muslim men and women dress-up in a reserved way. The fact is that men do like to look at women, so a woman should wear Hijab; it is a way of treating oneself as who is precious and special.

Islam And Peace:

Islam is the religion of peace, tolerance and forgiveness.  The word Islam has been derived from the word SALAMA, in Arabic, which means peace or submission. Islam means the submission to God and peace to the whole humanity.

Quran talks about this peace again and again. In fact Quran has been revealed by Allah (SWT), for the peace and betterment of humankind. Without Quran humankind would have been wandering in darkness. The religion of Quran is called Islam, but unfortunately Islam has not been perceived correctly by the non-believers.  Islam, the religion of peace, has been perceived as the most violent religion of the world, which is totally negative and wrong perception.

Muslims And Terrorism:

Muslims have to work really hard to step out of the situation they are currently in. Bush once said, “All Muslims are not terrorist, but all terrorists are Muslims.” This is how much has this religion been the victim of misconceptions.

Now it is completely upon Muslims, how do they clear all these misconceptions? They can clear all these misconceptions, if they are clear in their minds. To clear their minds and strengthen their faith, they need to learn Quran.

Islam is the religion of peace, humanity and tolerance. You will be Islamic in real sense when you have all these qualities.  To build in all these qualities, you have to learn, understand and apply Quran in your life.  The road to success and the way out of this trough is too simple and straight for the Muslims. They just have to follow the path chosen by Allah (SWT).

The importance of Quran School and teachings of Quran can never be ignored. These are the foundations of the Muslim Ummah. Quran has been revealed by Allah (SWT) for the humankind to benefit from. However, the humankind has gone so materialistic that they do not have any time for strengthening their base.

Political Unrest In The Muslim World:

The political unrest in the Arab world is just because of the grown and still growing distance between Quran and Ummah. Allah (SWT) has guided you for everything. Even the political systems have been devised by Allah (SWT) in Quran. You need not to work on anything, but just to follow the instructions in Quran. However Muslim world has not been able to utilize the teachings of Quran properly. This is why Muslims are in a state of misery and unrest today.

The political unrest from Egypt to Tunisia to Yemen and now Libya and Bahrain as well, shows the failure of these states. The states have witnessed monarchial systems always. However, Islam has never supported monarchial systems. It has completely supported democratic systems. It was Madina which witnessed first democratic system. The Khilafat was another benchmark of Muslims.  Khilafat era established a complete peaceful society.

Way Out For Muslims:

If Muslims wish to survive out of these controversies and issues, they have to strengthen their-selves. If you wish to strengthen anything, the easiest way is to strengthen its base and the subject will become strong itself. For Muslims to strengthen themselves, they have to strengthen their base, which is Quran.

Raising kids according to the Islamic teachings has been one of the biggest concerns of Islamic families.  The best way to teach Quran and Islamic principles is through hiring a Quran teacher.  The first centre for any kid is her mother’s lap. Apart from that a kid also learns from his or her surroundings.

Teaching recitation of Quran to your kids is not enough. Especially in the world that we are living in today, you need to teach more than just the recitation of Quran. Keep in mind that it is the Quran only that can take Muslims out of the trough that we are in today.

Tips For Teaching:

Start teaching your kids from home and do not leave everything on a Quran teacher.  Few tips of teaching Quran:

• Mothers should recite Quran more and more during their pregnancy
• You should create an Islamic culture in your home, no matter where are you living
• When you child starts speaking teach him the names of Allah
• Mothers should recite more and more Quran when they take kids in their laps
• Pray in front of your kids so that they learn the method of praying from you
• Make them learn Quran translation as well so that they understand
• Try and expose your kids more to simplicity, so that they are not too much into materialism
• Do not over burden your kids

May Allah guide us to the right path and help us become a practicing Muslim.