The Quran is the holiest book in the Islamic faith, but many Muslims only take the time to read it during prayer or service. This is especially true for Arab Americans, who tend to be stuck between two worlds. Nevertheless, it is the duty of all good Muslims to read, understand and indeed contemplate their holy book and what it means to them and their lives. This post will discuss a few ways in which Arab Americans and all other Muslim Americans can learn more about the Quran and, ultimately, the word of God.

Learn to read Arabic

The Quran is predominantly written in Arabic as this is considered to be the language of Allah. However, numerous versions have been translated into English and other languages. You can only really get a proper understanding of nuances by learning Arabic. However, if you are new to the process, it is absolutely fine to begin learning to memorize the Quran in English before moving on to Arabic. Nevertheless, you should take time to attend Arabic classes to grasp the most challenging aspects of the Quran so that you can really take them to heart.

Read and understand the holy texts

Reading the Quran is one thing, but if you want to learn about it, you must understand it. This was touched on in the previous point, but it bears repeating. Too many Muslims worldwide simply go through the motions of reading and reciting without allowing the words into their hearts. This occurs even in predominantly Muslim nations, so it can be extra challenging when living in a place like the US. The best way to go about this is to visit your mosque and engage with the community. By doing so, you will make new friends who are in a similar situation and understand what you are going through. Once you understand something, you can also learn from it. When you learn from something, you are not just gaining new information but also learning about yourselves and what you can do better. After all, the Quran isn’t merely scripture; it is the word of Allah. Therefore, you need to dedicate enough time to the holy book to appreciate the message fully and gain your own interpretation of it. Essentially, you need to know how it works, its purpose, and how it fits into a larger context of your life and those around you.

Learn to be part of two communities

Being a member of two distinct communities is challenging; there are no two ways about it. As an Arab American, you have likely been on the end of at least one form of discrimination or outright racism. While those who insult you might not have bad intentions at heart, it can be challenging to deal with. Therefore, if you want to learn about the Quran, you also need to understand that you are part of separate communities and must use the holy book as a source of strength. You must tread a fine line between becoming overzealous in your learnings but open enough to educate others who are curious about Islam and its principal tenants.

Practice what you preach

Perhaps you’ve already noticed a theme running through this post: understanding the Quran is more important than simply reading it! As such, if you want to gain a deeper understanding of the book and its message, you should attempt to practice what it preaches. While some aspects might be unsuitable in a non-Islamic nation like the USA, many teachings can be applied throughout the course of your daily life.

Never be afraid to ask your Imam tricky questions

Most Muslims believe that it is Haram to form an interpretation of the Quran because it is the word of God. However, this misses the point that you can question while still maintaining your faith. The best avenue for this exercise is with your local Imam. Never feel afraid to speak to those knowledgeable about Islamic theology and see if they can provide answers to your questions. Good Imams will tolerate your questions, but the best will nourish you with soul-satisfying answers to almost any question you have. However, it goes without saying that you must remain humble and respectful of their knowledge and time.

Learn its teachings with your children

What is the best way to learn anything new? With your children, of course! Moreover, getting them involved is vital if you don’t wish for them to drift too far from Islam while growing up in the US. You should set aside some time each day to sit with your children and read the Quran together. Not only will you teach them about your religion, but they may also teach you a thing or two from their innocent inquisition.

Islam isn’t merely a religion; it is a way of life. As such, a keen understanding of the holy book is vital. Hopefully, by following some of the steps laid out in this post, you will be able to learn more for yourself and also involve your children in the process.

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