Quran reading plan?

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I recently got an English translation of the Quran. I've started reading it from the beginning, but I was wondering: does anyone know of a good reading plan that covers the core points of Islam? I've poked around the Internet, but I haven't found one yet.

I've seen several guides like this for the Bible: basically, a program of daily readings that will cover the most important parts over a span of time (e.g. "Day 1: verse __ to verse __; Day 2: verse ___ to verse ___"), and I assume that they exist for the Quran as well. If you can point me to something like this, I'd appreciate it.

I'm still planning to read the whole Quran, but I think a guide might be helpful as I learn the most fundamental parts of it.

 

[Cordoba]

There is no specific plan for reading the Qur'an in stages which I'm familiar with

The first Chapter is the most important as Muslims repeate it at least 17 times in their 5 daily prayers

After that, a Christian reader may be interested to read chapters 3 (Surat Al-Imran, i.e. the family of Imran) & chapter 19 (Surat Maryam - Mary) which mention parts of the events in the life of Prophet Jesus, peace be upon him

Other readers may start by reading Chapter 6 (Surat Al-An'am) which includes general logical arguments on the existence of God

The longer chapters are at the start of the Qur'an, and the shorter chapters are towards the end, as they sort of summarize many basic concepts mentioned earlier, like for example chapter 112 which summarizes the concept of Monotheism

What is very important is to have a good translation of the meanings of the Qur'an

Which translation do you have?

 

[fullyveiled muslimah]

I reccomend as always the Noble Quran as the best english translations I have seen. I use it because it also tends to give the meanings of the arabic terms used, has a dictionary of terms in the back, has a little bit of tafsir in it to put verses in context better, and to me i an overall better book. I can't stand Yusuf Ali version but it is in high circulation. The english is off, and the explainations and commentary are horrific and are strictly his opinion.


I am not aware of any particular readin plan. I advise from cover-to-cover myself as it tends to tell a story over and over again, each time with another aspect different from before. I feel like one can get a better understanding of all the concepts and all the meanings and the overall line of thought of the Quran if you go from beggining to end. In the end I guess its up to you. You can start with the parts you're most interested in I guess.

One more piece of advice. Approach it as though it is Allah talking. Allah is the narrator of Quran, not Muhammad. Puts a different spin on the words when you think of it that way.

 

[Dirty Penguin]

I like this online Quran because it has the beutiful arabic script, english translation and a transliteration. I normally prefer the Quran translated by Arberry. As others have said, there's no known reading guideline. Additionally, This site gives some explanations of verses.

Arabic Quran Surah Al Fatihah 1. The Opening

 

[Cordoba]

A lot of care is needed in choosing the right translation of the meanings of the Qur'an

The standard English translation printed in Saudi Arabia is that by Dr. Muhsin Khan and Hilali

There is a simplified version based on Muhsin Khan's translation, prepared by an American Muslim sister and published in Riyadh in 1997 by Al-Muntada Al-Islami (Saheeh International), which is much easier to follow

This is the text:

http://www.islambasics.com/view.php?bkID=120

And this is the audio (English & Arabic)

http://english.islamway.com/bindex.php?section=echapters&recitor_id=171

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Which translation do you have?

The 1900 translation by E.H. Palmer, according to the inside cover. Did I pick a good one?

 

[fullyveiled muslimah]

The 1900 translation by E.H. Palmer, according to the inside cover. Did I pick a good one?

I think I've heard of that one, but don't remember reading it. I don't know if it's good or not. Maybe someone more familiar with it's contents is more qualified to answer that.

As a personal rule of thumb, I stay away from Quran translations that have the olde english in it. Like the thee's and the thou's........I only like that language while reading Shakespeare.

 

[Cordoba]

The 1900 translation by E.H. Palmer, according to the inside cover. Did I pick a good one?

I don't know that translation

The more recent translations (imo) are of better quality, as each translation benefits from the earlier ones

In general terms I would recommend a translation by a Muslim translator rather than a non-Muslim

All the best

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Yeah... it's loaded with "thees" and "thous". And I'm fairly certain that E.H. Palmer wasn't a Muslim.

I came across it at the bookstore in the "Classics" (i.e. old enough to be public domain, and therefore inexpensive to buy and sell) section. It fit my budget and I've wanted to actually read the Quran for some time now, so I decided to get it. I didn't really research the purchase; I figured it would be better to read it in whatever form I could get rather than waiting around until I found the "best" translation.

I understand the appeal of the online Qurans that you folks mentioned, but I find a physical book better for long reading sessions. I'll be sure to check it frequently against the other versions you mentioned.

One last question: when studying the Christian Bible, it's common practice to make pencil notes in the margin; with the Quran (or, rather, with a translation), is this considered disresepectful or wrong?

 

[fullyveiled muslimah]

Nah, you can make pencil marks if you want to. I personally use a highlighter myself to mark verses and I read Arabic Quran. I haven't found, and don't know of any reason why it wouldn't be okay.

 

[Rogn]

First of all i wouldn't recommend reading the quran first if you havent read atleast one hadith collection. Which i guess would be Sahih al-bukhari considering its the most authentic hadith. And sira litterature.

But if you plan to read the quran i would recommend to read them in chronological order. I think its much more easier to understand that way.
And by that i mean in the time they where revealed, so that you get more insight to what verse might have been abrogated incase of later verse that goes against the earlier verse.
Revelation Order of the Quran

 

[DawudTalut]

I recently got an English translation of the Quran. I've started reading it from the beginning, but I was wondering: does anyone know of a good reading plan that covers the core points of Islam? I've poked around the Internet, but I haven't found one yet.

I've seen several guides like this for the Bible: basically, a program of daily readings that will cover the most important parts over a span of time (e.g. "Day 1: verse __ to verse __; Day 2: verse ___ to verse ___"), and I assume that they exist for the Quran as well. If you can point me to something like this, I'd appreciate it.

I'm still planning to read the whole Quran, but I think a guide might be helpful as I learn the most fundamental parts of it.

Peace be on you.
Three Ahmadiyya Muslim resources can help you understand Holy Quran easily:
1- Resources on the right side column
@ The Holy Quran [wwwDOTalislamDOTorg/quran/]

2- Holy Quran (Arabic + English translation + short commentary)
@ The Holy Quran [wwwDOTalislamDOTorg/quran/tafseer/guide.htm?region=EN]

3- Holy Quran (Arabic + English translation + Five Volume commentary)
@ The Holy Quran [wwwDOTalislamDOTorg/quran/tafseer/guide.htm?region=E1]

Good wishes.