"And the Messenger will say, O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Quran as something abandoned." Surah Al Furqan (25:30) Translated Verse from Arabic-English
When we think of abandoning the Quran, we usually picture a dusty holy book sitting high up on a shelf, untouched for months. While that is certainly a form of neglect, Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) explains that abandonment runs much deeper.
There are actually six distinct types of abandoning the Quran. By understanding them in simple terms, we can easily identify where we might be slipping and learn how to bring the blessing of the Quran back into our daily lives.
1. Abandoning Listening to It (Hajr al-Istima)
What it means, This happens when we completely block out the Quran from our daily environments. We avoid listening to its recitation, or worse, we actively choose to fill our ears with music, podcasts or mindless chatter instead of the words of Allah.
The Easy Fix, Swap out just 15 minutes of your daily audio habits (like during your morning commute or while doing chores) to listen to a beautiful Quran recitation. Let the verses fill your home and bring peace to your space.
2. Abandoning Reciting It (Hajr al-Tilawah)
What it means, Believing the Quran is the truth isn't quite enough if your tongue never moves to read it. This type of abandonment occurs when days, weeks, or even months pass by without us physically opening the Book (or an app) to read its Arabic verses.
The Easy Fix, Do not overcomplicate it. Commit to reading just one page a day after a specific prayer, like Fajr or Isha. Consistency is more beloved to Allah than a heavy workload that you quickly give up on.
3. Abandoning Reflecting Upon It (Hajr al-Tadabbur)
What it means, This is reading without processing. If you are rushing through verses just to check a box or complete a chapter, without pausing to think, "What is Allah trying to tell me here?", you are neglecting its depth.
The Easy Fix, When you read a verse, keep a clear translation or a brief commentary (Tafsir) next to you. Take a moment to think about how that specific verse applies to your personal struggles, blessings or character.
4. Abandoning Acting Upon It (Hajr al-Amal)
What it means, This is widely considered one of the most dangerous forms of neglect. It happens when someone completely memorizes or beautifully recites the Quran, yet ignores its laws. If the Quran tells us to stand up for justice, speak the truth, avoid interest (riba) or be kind to our parents, but we do the exact opposite, we have abandoned its guidance.
The Easy Fix, Treat the Quran like a manual for life. Whenever you learn a new command or moral lesson from a verse, write it down and make a conscious effort to practice it in your behavior that very week.
5. Abandoning Seeking Judgment or Guidance From It (Hajr al-Tahkim)
What it means, When we face major decisions, personal conflicts, business dealings, or family disputes, where do we look first? If we push the boundaries set by the Quran aside and rely entirely on cultural traditions, worldly desires, or modern trends that contradict our faith, we are abandoning its role as our ultimate judge.
The Easy Fix, Before making big life moves or reacting to disagreements, ask yourself, "Does my choice align with what Allah loves and commands?" Allow the values of the Quran to govern your choices.
6. Abandoning Seeking Healing From It (Hajr al-Istishfa)
What it means, The Quran is explicitly described by Allah as a Shifa, a source of cure and healing for the diseases of both the body and the mind, especially spiritual ailments like anxiety, jealousy, greed and despair. Abandoning this means we look everywhere else for comfort, completely forgetting the spiritual medicine right in front of us.
The Easy Fix, The next time your chest feels tight with stress or grief, don't just turn to social media or distractions. Perform wudu, sit down and do ruqyah with verses of the Quran. Use the authentic morning and evening Adhkar (remembrances) derived from the Quran as your daily shield.
The goal of identifying these six areas isn't to make us feel overwhelmed with guilt, but to serve as a compass. The Quran is meant to be a living, breathing companion in a Muslim's life. If you find that you have been distant in one or more of these areas, start fresh today. Pick one small habit whether it is listening more, reading a verse a day, or working on your character.
سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك أشهد ان لا اله الا انت استغفرك وأتوب اليك