Ramadan is the perfect opportunity to carve out the time needed to reflect on the Quran and read it from cover to cover, not wanting to miss any of the treasures inside.

But if this has been your routine for as long as you can remember, you may now feel as if you’re in a rut and you’re just doing it out of habit.

The holy book is never meant to be read robotically just for the sake of completing it; there are too many deep thoughts within to just be read lightly. This year, before you start your routine, think honestly about what your spiritual life needs and add a focus on that for all of Ramadan.

You can resume your normal reading routine, but single out some extra thoughtful passages when you need them, even if they are out of order.

Read these passages when…

 You need encouragement

Life is difficult, and we all need encouragement to live it in a spiritual and uplifting way. Keeping your eyes focused on what’s important will help you live the life you aim for.

At-Tawbah 51

“Never can anything befall us save what God has decreed! He is our Lord Supreme; and in God let the believers place their trust!”

Al-Mujadala 11

O ye who believe! When ye are told to make room in the assemblies (spread out and) make room: (Ample) room will Allah provide for you. And when ye are told to rise up rise up: Allah will raise up to (suitable) ranks (and degrees) those of you who believe and who have been granted Knowledge: and Allah is well-acquainted with all ye do.

You’re feeling weak

Real strength comes from above.

An-Nahl 53

For, whatever good thing comes to you, comes from God; and whenever harm befalls you, it is unto Him that you cry for help.

Al-Ahzab 1-3

O Prophet! Fear Allah and do not obey the unbelievers and the hypocrites: certainly Allah is aware and wise. But follow that which comes to thee by inspiration from thy Lord: for Allah is well acquainted with (all) that ye do. Put your trust in Allah: for Allah is your all-sufficient protector.

Life is overwhelming

We like to always be in control of everything, even though we know we can’t. Fortunately, Allah is in control, so we need to remember to leave it in His hands.

Al-Mu’minun 80

It is He Who gives life and causes you to die, and in His control is the alternation of the night and the day: then why don’t you understand?

Al-An’am 59

He Alone has the keys of the unseen treasures, of which no one knows except Him. He knows whatever is in the land and in the sea; there is not a single leaf that falls without His knowledge, there is neither a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry which has not been recorded in a Clear Book.

You recently lost someone close to you

It is never easy to understand why we have to lose those we love, but the Quran provides comfort for your aching heart.

Al-Baqarah 156

Who say when afflicted with calamity: “To Allah we belong and to Him is our return.”

Ar-Ra’d, 28

“Verily, in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest.”

You want to strengthen your faith and good values

As humans, we always seem to want to be in control, when we really need to put our faith in the Provider.

Ash-Shu’ara 80

And when you are ill, it is He who cures me.

Ar-Rahman 1-9

The Most Merciful Taught the Qur’an, Created man, Taught him eloquence. The sun and the moon [move] by precise calculation, And the stars and trees prostrate (kneel down face to the floor), And the heaven He raised and put the balance, That you not transgress within the balance. And establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance.

You want to feel loved

We can never really grasp the immensity of Allah’s love for us. These verses will help remind you of that, and also remind you that it is important to spread that love to others.

Ad-Duhaa (All)

By the forenoon (after sun-rise); And by the night when it is still (or darkens); Your Lord (O Muhammad) has neither forsaken you nor hated you. And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present (life of this world). And verily, your Lord will give you (all i.e. good) so that you shall be well-pleased. Did He not find you (O Muhammad) an orphan and gave you a refuge?

And He found you unaware (of the Qur’an, its legal laws, and Prophethood, etc.) and guided you? And He found you poor, and made you rich (self-sufficient with self-contentment, etc.)? Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression, And repulse not the beggar; And proclaim the Grace of your Lord (i.e. the Prophethood and all other Graces).

Al-Baqarah 286

On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray:) “Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith.”