It is recommended for every believing man and woman to recite the Book of Allah, the Noble Quran, often, with due contemplation and understanding. This may be done by using a copy of the Quran or from one's memory. Allah - the Most High – Says (what means): "[This is] a blessed Book (the Quran) which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded." [Quran 38:29]

　　Are you one of those people who rarely touch the Quran? Or do you read it daily, but don't find it is having the impact on you that it should? Whatever the case may be, these are some simple tips that can help you connect with the Quran.

　　1. Before you touch it, check your heart

　　The key to really benefiting from the Quran is to check your heart first, before you even touch Allah's book. Ask yourself, honestly, why you are reading it. Is it to just get some information and to let it drift away from you later? Remember that the Prophet Muhammad was described by his noble wife, 'Aa'ishah as a "walking Quran": in other words, he didn't just read and recite the Quran, he lived it.

　　2. Before you touch it, do your Wudhoo' (ablution)

　　Doing your Wudhoo' is good physical and mental preparation to remind you that you are not reading just another book. You are about to interact with Allah, the Most Exalted, so being clean should be a priority when communicating with Him.

　　3. Start with reading only five minutes everyday

　　Too often, we think that we should read the Noble Quran for at least one whole hour. If you are not in the habit of reading regularly, this is too much. Start off with just five minutes daily. If you took care of step one, Insha Allah (Allah willing), you will notice that those five minutes will become ten, then half an hour, then an hour, and maybe even more!

　　4. Make sure that you understand what you have read

　　Five minutes of reading the Quran in Arabic is good, but you need to understand what you are reading. If you are not Arabic, or you don't understand the Arabic language, then make sure you have a good translation of the Quran in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you have read that day.

　　Regarding those who neglect the Glorious Quran by not reading or not understanding it, Allah Almighty Says (what means):"And the Messenger has said, “O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Quran as [a thing] abandoned." [Quran: 25: 30]

　　Allah Almighty informs us about His Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad that he said: "My Lord my people have abandoned - acting or listening - to the Quran" and that is because the idol-worshippers did not pay attention nor listen to the Quran, as Allah Says (what means): "And those who disbelieve say, “Do not listen to this Quran and speak noisily during [the recitation of] it that perhaps you will overcome.” [Quran 41:26]

　　5. Remember that the Noble Quran is far more interactive than a CD

　　In an age of "interactive" CD-ROMs and computer programs, a number of people think books are passive and boring. But the Quran is not like that. Remember that when you read the Glorious Quran, you are interacting with Almighty Allah. He Almighty is talking to you, so pay attention.

　　6. Do not just read, you have to listen too

　　There are now many audio cassettes and CDs of the Quran, a number of them with translations as well. This is great to put on your walkman or your car's CD or stereo as you drive to and from work. Use this in addition to your daily Quran reading, not as a replacement for it.

　　7. Make Du'aa' (supplication).

　　Ask Allah, the Most Exalted, to guide you when you read the Quran. Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of Allah, interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Du'aa' to

　　Allah for help and guidance will be your best tool for doing this.

　　When you are making du’aa', you have a direct connection with Allah Almighty. So when you are saying your du’aa', you shouldn’t be distracted, but instead you should be fully concentrated. TheProphet said:

　　"Make Du’aa' and be assured of it being answered, and know that Allah, the Exalted, does not answer a Du’aa' from a careless heart which is not concentrating." [At-Tirmithi]