Allah the Almighty says, “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Ar-Ra'd: 11)

When Allah revealed the Quran to His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family and companions), and our noble Prophet recited it to the Arab nation of that time, it affected their souls like magic. Its impact reached the depths of their hearts, penetrated their beings, and took hold of the innermost parts of their spirits. Through it, Allah transformed this nation into something entirely different—so much so that the gap was vast between the Arab nation in its pre-Islamic ignorance and its state after Islam.

The Quran affected the hearts of both the polytheists and the believers, but its effect on the polytheists was temporary and negative. They fled from it, erected barriers between themselves and it, and some even said to others: “Do not listen to this Qur'an and speak noisily during [the recitation of] it that perhaps you will overcome.” (Fussilat: 26)

As for the believers, they listened to it and followed the best of it. They were the ones whom Allah guided, and they were the people of understanding. The Quran’s effect on their souls was consistently positive—it transformed them, changed them, and elevated them from one state to another, driving them toward noble character and great deeds: “Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allah leaves astray - for him there is no guide.” (Az-Zumar: 23)

And now, the Noble Quran is recited among us, have our souls been changed by it? Has it imprinted our morals? Has it affected our hearts as it did the hearts of our predecessors?

No, my brothers. We have come to recite the Quran mechanically, mere words repeated, and melodies varied, with nothing beyond that. As for the Quran’s overflowing spirit, its profound spirituality, and its powerful, active influence, there is a veil between us and it. This is why we are not a reflection of the first generation, whose souls were transformed by the Quran. Now, we wish to follow in the footsteps of those predecessors. We desire that the Ummah of the Quran and the state of the Quran be revived once more in the hearts of Muslims and Muslim societies.

So, can we establish a true connection with the Quran, one that purifies our souls and changes our hearts?

5 Practical Ways to Better Reflect on the Quran

We love this Dunya (world) with all our hearts, but can we listen carefully to the words of Allah, the Most High and the Most Great: “Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people’” (At-Tawbah: 24) And He says, “But you prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and more enduring.” (Al-A'la: 16-17) He also says, “Whatever you have will end, but what Allah has is lasting.” (An-Nahl: 96)

We need to prioritize what is with Allah over what we want. We need to strive for His pleasure and His abundant reward, disregarding any harm that may befall us in the path of truth—whether to our souls or our wealth. Nothing will befall us except what Allah has decreed, and nothing will reach us except good, by Allah’s permission: “So they returned with favor from Allah and bounty, no harm having touched them. And they pursued the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty. That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers.” (Aal Imran: 174-175)

We focus solely on worldly means, neglecting in our calculations the will of Allah the Most High, His support for His allies from where they do not expect, and His aid to them in unexpected ways. Allah says, “And whoever fears Allah—He will make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.” (At-Talaq: 2-3) And He says, “And We wanted to confer favor upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors, and establish them in the land.” (Al-Qasas: 5-6) And many other ayahs that place all affairs in Allah’s hands.

So, can our souls be transformed by this divine revelation, this Quranic promise, and this heavenly scripture? Can we trust more in what is in Allah’s hands than in what is in our own!

We get angry over the slightest reasons, cut ties, and turn away from one another over trivial matters. Differences in opinions, desires, worldly pursuits, fleeting pleasures, illusions, false hopes, and vain ambitions divide us, while Allah says, “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you—when you were enemies, He brought your hearts together, and you became brothers by His favor.” (Aal Imran: 103) And He says, “The believers are but brothers.” (Al-Hujurat: 10) He also says, “The believing men and believing women are allies of one another.” (At-Tawbah: 71)

Can this noble discourse affect us, especially in Ramadan? Can we let go of grudges and hatred, purify our souls and hearts, unite upon the word of Allah, and become brothers in faith, loving one another for His sake, cooperating in seeking His pleasure?

Allah SWT says, “Certainly will the believers have succeeded: They who are during their prayer humbly submissive, and they who turn away from ill speech, and they who are observant of zakah, and they who guard their private parts except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed—but whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors—and they who are to their trusts and their promises attentive, and they who carefully maintain their prayers. These are the inheritors who will inherit al-Firdaus. They will abide therein eternally.” (Al-Mu'minun: 1-11)

Where are we regarding these noble qualities and virtuous traits with which Allah has distinguished His believing servants?

Humility in prayer and guarding it. Turning away from idle talk and avoiding what brings no benefit. Giving zakah, both the zakah of wealth and the zakah of Fitr, to fulfill obligations, purify wealth, prevent tribulation, and support the poor and needy. Guarding one’s chastity, protecting it from what Allah has forbidden, and preserving all that is connected to it, the eyes, ears, mouth, nose, hands, and feet.

As the Arab poet once said:
By your life, my hand has never reached for sin, nor have my feet carried me toward immorality.

Neither my ears nor my eyes have led me to it, nor has my mind or intellect guided me toward it.

Guarding one’s chastity is an elevation of emotion, a rise of the spirit, a purification of the soul, a protection of honor, a defeat of Satan, a pleasure to the Most Merciful.

Fulfilling trust and keeping promises is upholding truth, maintaining self-respect, fostering trust, and establishing a balance of mutual recognition and cooperation among people.

Where are we now in relation to these Quranic traits that Islam instilled in its sincere believers, the traits that our predecessors embodied, making them the best nation brought forth for mankind?

These are examples of the Quran’s teachings that shaped the souls of our predecessors, reflecting in their morals, radiating divine light for people, and guiding them to the straight path.

So, will our souls change, and thus our conditions change?

O Allah, fulfill our hopes and answer our call. Ameen!

Shaping the Soul Through the Quran

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Muslim Brotherhood magazine, Issue 21, September 18, 1943.

Read the Article in Arabic