Are you looking for a Quran journaling prompt to give you some inspiration to start your Quran journaling journey? We list down 15 Quran journaling prompts for beginners.
What is Quran journaling?
Quran journaling is a form of spiritual journaling. It allows you to reflect on the meaning of the Quran more deeply.
Research has shown that journaling can help individuals and communities to express emotions that they have kept deep within them. Oftentimes, these are troubling emotions that they need to express but don’t know how to.
Other studies have also indicated that mothers who have children with behaviour issues keep a journal as a way of coping. The results of the study indicated that the mothers benefitted from journalling by having increased optimism, improved general well-being and mental health.
As such, we can infer that Quran journaling could also help improve the mental well-being of people who are overwhelmed.
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What should I write?
There are many things that you can write in your Quran journal. There are no fixed rules on what you should write. If you are just beginning to start Quran journaling, there are some ways you can get some Quran journaling ideas:
Is Quran journaling allowed?
Yes, Quran journaling is allowed as the benefits of Quran journaling will allow you to not just think of about the message of the Quran but you can also remember its meanings better.
You don’t have to publicly share your Quran journaling if you are worried that it might cause others confusion. Indeed, some things may result in confusion if we are not careful in sharing what we have written.
For instance, writing what we understand is good to enhance our own understanding and helps us relate Quranic lessons in our lives. However, we are still learning and may not have the full understanding. Therefore, Quran journaling is great for our own private spiritual improvement.
On the other hand, you can treat Quran journaling as a personal spiritual development. No one should need to feel like they must publicly share something so personal.
How do I connect to the Quran?
The first thing that we should do to connect with the Quran is to read it and its interpretation frequently and consistently.
The meaning and the connection may night happen instantaneously. Especially for a young Muslim or someone who is just started to learn about Islam, it might take some time to read, understand and appreciate its meanings.
Also, when you read the Quran when you were younger and when you’re in your 30s or 50s might give you a deeper understanding.
Having said that, you should not feel discouraged.
Prof Syed Naquib Al-Attas in his book Islam and Secularism states that true knowledge is the arrival of meaning in the soul. In other words, you will need to keep looking for meaning and inshaAllah, it will come to you.
This is especially true for me because I remember having such a tough time understanding the Quran when I first started to learn it. However, as years passed by, I gradually understood better although I may not understand it all.
How can Quran journaling help overwhelmed mothers?
As a a mother, whether you are working full time or a stay at home mom, life is very demanding and overwhelming. It is natural to sometimes question yourself especially when you are exhausted but yet life demands so much from you.
Reading the interpretation of the Quran can help build resilience by reinforcing your beliefs. Sometimes we forget our sense of purpose especially when we are swamped with work, kids, and life in general. Understanding the message of the Quran, the stories of the Prophets can give us some sense of purpose and meaning.
For instance, when I remind myself that “heaven lies under the feet of mothers” makes me feel better when I am overwhelmed.
Being a mother is one of the hardest jobs in the world and it is often under-appreciated at times.
Quran journaling, therefore, can help you make sense of life’s complexities and give you a sense of calm. It will remind you that all good deeds will not go unnoticed by Allah SWT.
For instance, every time I am reminded of the verse
“Verily with hardship, comes ease….”
I remind myself to be patient and that Allah will always repay those who are patient, although not immediately or in the form that we expect.
What’s your motivation to start?
One’s motivation to start Quran journaling could be many. For me, however, I wanted to start remembering not just to increase my understanding. But also to be able to explain about the lessons of the Quran to my children.
I want them to have a strong understanding of Islam even since young. Although Islamic studies is taught in school since kindergarten, but children can start to associate positively with their faith based on what their parents discuss about at home.
How parents raise their kids and what they talk about will definitely have an impact on them, especially when they grow up.
That is one of the reasons why I am motivated to do Quran journaling.
Quran Journaling Prompts for Beginners
Personal Quran Journaling Prompts
- What inspired me to read the Quran today?
- Why do I want to read the Quran?
- How can I better improve myself as a Muslim/Muslimah?
- What is my purpose in life?
- How can I help the needy and the poor?
- How can I be a better neighbour? In what ways can I be more helpful?
- What are the ways which I can better use my time to be more productive?
- How can I be a better daughter or son?
- How can I be a better wife or husband?
Overarching Quran Journaling Prompts
- What can you understand from the meaning of this surah?
- How is it applicable to today’s society?
- What does the Quran say about how Muslims should conduct ourselves on a daily basis?
- What does the Quran say about the role of women?
- What does the hadeeth say about women?
- Why was the message of the Quran rejected so much by early communities such as during the Prophet’s time?
If you are a beginner, you can use these Quran journaling prompts to kickstart your Quran journaling.
Like what I have mentioned before, Quran journaling is a spiritual journey. Therefore, these questions are more personal but it can help you reflect on how the message of the Quran can help you shape yourself into a better person.
Understandably, it is not easy to understand the meaning on the Quran just by reading the translation. Therefore, you will still need to read other texts to assist you with your Quran journaling journey. As such, reading the hadeeth, the seerah of the Prophet and attending talks by Muslim scholars can indeed help you with this.
