بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
Mankind there has come to you a guidance from your Lord (the Quran) and a healing for (the diseases) in your hearts, and for those who believe a guidance and a mercy. (Yunus, 10:57)
Quran journaling has become a popular way for us Muslims to connect with our faith and delve deeper into the teachings of the Quran. If you’re new to the concept, don’t worry.
This guide is here to help you understand what Quran journaling is all about, why it’s important in Islam, what you can write in your journal, and the benefits you can expect.
When I first started Quran journaling or Tadabbur, I felt this sense of inner calmness that I have never felt before. Getting connected to and understanding the words of my Creator made me feel confident to be the best Muslimah I can be for Allah s.w.t. As I reflect on more and more verses of the Quran, I find that every action I take in my life is slowly being guided and aligned with Islam.
I no longer feel lost or distant from Allah because the words of Allah in the Quran are close to my heart. I hope this will be your experience as well once you start your Quran journaling journey.
Allah’s words have the power to heal you in every phase of life. If you can get your heart connected to the Quran, you will see how Allah’s love and mercy can guide you through any storm in life insyaAllah.
From the greatest of voluntary acts through which Allah’s Love is earned, is reciting and pondering upon the Qur’ān.” (Ibn Rajab r)
What is Quran Journaling?
Think of Quran journaling as your personal conversation with the teachings of Islam. It’s about taking verses from the Quran, thinking about what they mean to you, and jotting down your thoughts, feelings, and questions in a journal. It’s like having a heartfelt chat with Allah, using the Quran as your guidebook.
Why you need to start Quran Journaling
The Quran is our ultimate guideline to live out our purpose as an abid (slave of Allah s.w.t) and Khalifah (vicegerent to spread Islam) in this world. We only have these 2 purposes to live by in this lifetime. If we do not understand the Quran and fulfill our purpose of creation according to Allah’s commands, we are essentially wasting our lives.
Allah said:
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (Adh-dhariyat 51:56)
And [mention, O Muḥammad], when your Lord said to the angels, “Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.” (Al-Baqarah 2:30)
It does not matter how much wealth, children, possessions or how happy you are in life. If we are not connected to the Quran and we do not understand what our Creator wants from us in this lifetime, we are not fulfilling our purpose of creation. Therefore, it is crucial that we truly take the time to dive deep into the words of Allah through Quran journaling or Tadabbur.
As we actively open our hearts to the teachings of the Quran, it will guide us to live out our purpose as abid (slave of Allah) and Khalifah (vicegerent to spread Islam).
What Do You Write in Your Quran Journal?
Your journal is like your spiritual diary. You can write anything that comes to mind when you read a verse from the Quran. Maybe it’s a reflection on how a verse relates to your life, a prayer to Allah, a goal inspired by Quranic teachings, or even a doodle or sketch expressing your feelings. There are no strict rules—just let your thoughts flow.
What Are the Benefits of Quran Journaling?
Journaling can do wonders for your spiritual growth and well-being:
1. Understand the Quran Better: By reflecting on Quranic verses, you’ll gain deeper insights into their meanings and how they apply to your life.
2. Connect with Allah: Journaling creates a special bond between you and Allah, helping you feel closer to Him and His guidance.
3. Find Inner Peace: Writing down your thoughts and prayers can be incredibly soothing, especially during challenging times.
Related: Feeling Overwhelmed In Islam: 9 Ways To Find Tranquility
4. Grow Personally: Setting spiritual goals and reflecting on your progress can help you become a better person, both spiritually and morally.
What you will need to start Quran Journaling
Essentially, the 3 most important things you will need to Quran journal is
– a Quran whether it is an app or a physical Quran
– a good Tafsir. I recommend Tafsir Ibn Kathir.
– a notebook & pen
You don’t need any fancy notebooks, coloured pens or pretty stickers to start understanding the Quran, just start with whatever equipment you have at home.
As you progress with your reflections, it would be fun to find your style and unique way of expressing yourself on paper. It makes the whole experience much more fun and enjoyable.
Here are some recommended stationeries you can use:
Phrase-by-Phrase English Translation Quran with good quality paper.
Beautiful stickers ideal for journaling
Washi Tape in a variety of colors
A good quality journal notebook with dotted paper
Just put all of this in your little ‘Quran Kit’ box for easy access.
How to start Quran Journaling in 5 easy steps:
1. Intention & Dua
In everything you do, you should first check on your intentions so that your deeds will be counted as ibadah for Allah s.w.t. Think about why you would like to start your Quran journaling journey.
Is it to get closer to Allah s.w.t, to heal your heart from this dunya, to find your Muslimah identity or to just be a better Muslimah? Find out your personal ‘why’ before you start Quran journaling and make sure it is to please your Creator and not anyone else.
Write it down on the first page of your new Quran journal. There are times when you will be tested and you will feel distant from the Quran, during these times, go back to your Niyyah page (Intention page) and remember why you want to start this journey to get closer to Allah s.w.t.
After you have clarified your intentions, make dua that Allah keeps you steadfast in your intentions. We never know how and what we will be tested on in our lives. It is best for us to keep asking Allah for guidance especially in our intentions because that is the only prerequisite for our actions to be rewarded and accepted by Allah. s.w.t.
2. Recitation
I like to read a page of the Quran before I start reflecting on them. It gets me in the ‘zone’ so to speak. I feel like my heart is instantly connected to the Quran when I start reciting it. When my heart is connected to the Quran, my mind instantly follows suit. I can easily focus on my Quran reflections and block out my worries of the day or any errands that are running through my mind on a typical day.
So try to recite the Quran before you start reflecting on it. It helps you familiarize with the Arabic of the Quran too if that is not your native language like me. Don’t worry if you are still learning how to recite, we are all on a learning journey. Just go at your own pace. Allah looks at your efforts, not the result. 🙂
3. Read the Translations & Tafsir
Read translation of the verses you recited and see what resonates with you. What do you find interesting?
Pick the verses that stand out to you and read the tafsir on it. It is important that you first read the tafsir of the verses that you are going to reflect on so that you don’t misinterpret its meanings.
Sometimes, even when we mean well, we may not fully understand the Quran verses just by merely reading its translations. We need to get the right tafsir to help us understand the whole context of a surah or verse.
I recommed tafsir Ibn Kathir as that is the most reliable source of tafsir by scholars. Myislam.org has both the translations and tafsir on most ayats. You can use it for reference.
4. Reflect/Tadabbur
This is a blessed Book which We revealed to you, so that they reflect upon its verses, and those with understanding may take heed” (38:29).
This is the best part. Write down the verse/verses that you want to reflect on. You can write the Arabic or just the translation. Start reflecting on it. The term is Tadabbur, meaning to reflect on the verses of the Quran to seek guidance from it.
You can ask yourself these questions as prompts:
– Why did Allah ask Prophet ______ to do that?
– Why did Allah say that?
– What happens if we don’t do this?
– What would happen if this event did not happen?
– How is my life similar to this event?
5. Sincere commitment to improve
The whole point of doing Quran journaling is to seek guidance from it. There is no point in having a pretty Quran journal if you do not fully extract the lessons and guidance from it.
And declare (O Muhammad) that [the Quran] is a guidance and healing for the believers. (al-Fussilat, 41:44)
Allah said the Quran is a healing for us. It heals our soul and brings us back to the remembrance of Allah.
At the end of each Quran journaling session, you must find this place in your heart where you sincerely want to improve yourself as a Muslimah with whatever lesson you have learnt from the Quran.
Don’t worry if the change seems too big or scary to you because if you sincerely do it for Allah, He will help you find a way bi iznillah (by the permission of Allah).
Just keep your heart sincere at all times. That’s all you have to do. 🙂
You can use these prompts to help you take action on the lessons from your Quran journaling:
– How can I apply this lesson in life?
– Are there anything that I’m doing in my life that is against this verse?
– What are the habits I can start implementing in my life with this lesson?
– Do I have any reservations with this?
Additional resource on Quran Journaling/Tadabbur:
- Tadabbur E-book by lifewithAllah.com
Conclusion: Quran journaling as a healing
Quran journaling is a simple yet powerful way to deepen your understanding of Islam, strengthen your relationship with Allah, and find peace in your daily life.
And We sent down in the Quran such things that have healing and mercy for the believers
(al-Isra, 17:82)
Allah said the Quran is healing for us. It brings us back to the remembrance of Allah and helps us develop the right mindsets to fulfill our purpose as abid (slave of Allah) and Khalifah (vicegerent to spread Islam).
We will never be able to fulfil our purpose of creation in this world if we do not fully understand the words of Allah s.w.t. Therefore, Quran journaling or Tadabbur is crucial in our daily lives. We need to find the time to embed this practice into our daily routine.
Whether you prefer pen and paper or digital apps, the key is to make Quran journaling a regular part of your spiritual practice. So grab your journal, open your heart to the Quran, and let the journey begin!
May Allah ease your journey and reward all our efforts in pleasing Him. Ameen.
Love & Salam,
Aimi
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