Reading, Understanding, Living the Qur'an...

All books are read to be understood. Likewise, the Qur'an is read to understand its verses, to reflect on its provisions and to grasp its elaborateness. The purpose of these is to take advice from the Qur'an and apply it. Because the Qur'an itself explains the purpose of descent as follows:

“[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.” (Sad, 38/29)

It is possible to say the following on the occasion of these and similar verses: It is a good deed to recite the Qur'an by reading from beginning to end, as it is common among the people. However, it is also a good deed to read the Qur'an by thinking about it, together with its translation or tafsir.

The Qur'an is a source of guidance, a guide to life. Therefore, in order for a person to benefit from the guidance of the Qur'an, one must embrace its meaning. Otherwise, it would not be possible to have the world view envisaged by the Qur'an.

People's beliefs, thoughts and actions are shaped according to the information they understand, believe and apply. Therefore, if people do not embrace the meaning of the Qur'an, they will not be aware of its orders and prohibitions, warnings and good news. As a result, it will not show its effect on beliefs, thoughts and behaviors.

The Qur'an introduces itself as a book that takes people out of darkness into the light and says:  “By which Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path.”  (Maidah, 5/16) 

The fact that the Qur'an is a book that illuminates the path of people requires understanding the orders, prohibitions, intimidation, glad tidings, wisdom and advice it contains. Otherwise, it will not be possible for a person to take advice from this divine word and to illuminate his path thanks to it.

It is the Qur'an that draws the boundaries of Islam and lays down its basic principles. Prophet Muhammad (saw) put this religion into practice both in His personal and social life. Therefore, in order to learn Islam correctly, it is necessary to know the criteria set by the Qur'an and the Sunnah. Otherwise, people will believe in false and superstitious things instead of religion, and will deviate from the truth. As a matter of fact, members of previous religions believed in false and superstitious information as religion, as they did not learn the revelation that came to them. (Baqarah, 2/78)