Ramadan is the Month of the Qur'an

The revelation of Islam's holy book, the Noble Qur'an, started in the month of Ramadan, therefore, has been described as the month of the Qur'an. The Qur'an expresses this special feature of Ramadan as follows: 

Allah (swt) refers to it as follows, "Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard to distinguish between right and wrong. So, whoever is present this month, let them fast..."(Baqarah, 2/185)

On Laylat al-Qadr, in the month of Ramadan of the year 610, the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet while he was in the Cave of Hira. The month of Ramadan is very special because it contains Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree, the night worth more than a thousand months. The value of this night is indicated in the verse as follows:

“Indeed we revealed the Qur'an on Laylatu al-Qadr (Night of Decree). How could you know what Laylau al-Qadr is? Laylat al-Qadr is worth more than a thousand months, the angels and the spirit (Jibril) descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. That night is peace until the emergence of dawn." (Qadr, 97/1-5)

The Prophet attached great importance to Laylat al-Qadr which is hidden within the month of Ramadan, and he informed us to "look for it in the last ten days of Ramadan!"(Muwatta’, itikaf, 6) During these times, he would endeavor to worship more and be a better person. He would spent the 23rd, 25th and 27th nights of Ramadan in worship together with his family because the Laylat al-Qadr is hidden within the odd numbered nights of the month's last ten days.He taught his wife Aisha, who asked how to supplicate on the Laylat al-Qadr, a supplication: ''O Allah, You are forgiving. You love to forgive so forgive me. ''  (Tirmidhi, Da'awat, 84)

The Prophet of Allah would recite the Qur'an abundantly during the days of Ramadan. He would recite the Qur'an and let Jibril, who would visit him every night of the month, listen to his recitation. (Bukhari, Sawm, 7) This mutual recitation and listening of the Qur'an is called "Muqabalah". Our century old "muqabalah" tradition comes forth from this Prophetic example. Naturally, the Qur'an isn't only meant to be recited or listened to; it is important to contemplate it's divine messages and try to understand them, subsequently question ourselves whether we apply them to our lives, and ultimately try to reflect every verse into our actions. The month of Ramadan, therefore, is a great opportunity to meet, talk and be sincere with the Qur'an, it's messages, and with our Lord who sent it down to us.