Past several years of teaching as well as doing basic research on teaching/learning Al-Qur’an:
Involved in teaching as well as studying different approaches
Got input from several scholars & individuals; not completely my own method
Vision
Al-Qur’an should be easy as well as the most interesting book! Is it not authored by Allah!
If Qur’an is for the whole world, it should be easy to learn (including its language)
If Qur’an is written by Allah for humans, it should be most interesting book – that is, a book that will appeal strongly to our intellect as well as our heart.
Style of Delivery
I have tried to use modern concepts in teaching. They include:
Brain (Tony Buzan etc.)
Lateral thinking (De Bono)
Positive thinking
Effective living (Stephen Covey)
NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming)
Time and Resource Management
+ Second Language learning (Latest style of teaching English to foreigners at American Universities)
And we really want to improve the above 2 when it comes to teaching the Qur’an. Let us not use that old method of just asking the students to recite for ‘Barkat’ (in the limited sense).
Elements of Success- for students !!!
According to modern research, these elements are:
Attitude
Confidence
Optimism
Positive thinking
Good relationship with others
A Pondering mind
High values
Qur’an can give all these values in a way no one on earth can give!!! This is the real and comprehensive Barkat which will lead to success in this world and the hereafter.
Our Approach to Teaching Qur’an
For a quick approach to Understanding the Qur’an
No. 1: Smooth Start
Start from Salah (Why use any other text, when you want to understand Qur’an)…
If I want to teach you french and if I know that you speak something in french for 1 hour, I will say: Let us learn that first!
A common sense approach
Valid for every Muslim man, woman, old, and young, and even for a child because he is…
No. 2: Focus on Listening and Reading
No. 3: More Focus on Vocabulary
More focus on Vocabulary (just the way a child learns…)
Less focus on grammar; otherwise if we teach the way shown below, people will run away!
We are learning from existing English translations;
We are learning to repeat the translation, rather than ‘translation’ itself.
The Challenges
A typical Muslim Youngster
We are missing the youth…
We are missing the youth both ways because we are not teaching them the Qur’an
When they grow up, they!!!
DON’T KNOW THE QURÁN (PERHAPS NOT EVEN 2% OF IT).
Have almost no exposure to Hadith
Consequently, have no self-esteem as a Muslim.
Qurán
A book of Guidance – And that is the status we have not given to it
Human Being – surrounded by enemies and self-weaknesses
Daily Exposure to Qu’ran – thru Recitation in Salahs / in homes – is not utilized at all!!!
How does Qur’an guides us? It always reminds him as to who he is, where he is, what is his role, his destination – Thru Promises, Threats, Examples, Stories, …
12. Revise the whole learning in SPECIAL 10 sessions (at the end) where all frequently occurring words in the Qur’an are listed separately.
UNIQUE FEATURES (Cont’d)
13. To remember important words, each word/verb that you have learnt is listed with an example for you to practice, remember, and retain.
Every time you forget an important new word, you are given a context for it to recall.
THIS IS JUST LIKE THE WAY YOU REMEMBER PEOPLE.
UNIQUE FEATURES (Cont’d)
14. Learn all important verb patterns thoroughly along with examples from the material covered in the first 50 sessions.
15. 16 quizzes and 2 exams to help you evaluate your progress and encourage you to revise and continue.
UNIQUE FEATURES (Cont’d)
16. With the CD (produced by the Academy), participate along with the audience throughout these sessions.
You don’t have to wait for another sitting for practice. Practice right there!
UNIQUE FEATURES (Cont’d)
17. Actually this is a basic training course for every Muslim. It contains those parts which are practiced everyday by a Muslim. Therefore this course is will have direct impact on his life. It will make his regular worship more efficient and effective. Simultaneously he will get the confidence that he can learn the Qur’an very easily.
Some Interesting Findings
All ‘Abwaab’ and special cases are important
At least around 4 “Fe’l thulaathi Mazeed feehi” abwaab are also important
7 HOMEWORKS
Extremely easy and practical home works.
To develop an attitude of learning - most important factor in any learning process.
To be always aware that they are learning Qur'an.
Like those cricket fans following the match.
7 HOMEWORKS
We want our students to develop the attitude that they should always be aware and feel blessed by Allah that they are learning His Book.
This attitude should help them to do these home works whenever they have some spare time.
7 HOMEWORKS
1. At least FIVE minutes study of the Word-for-Word translation.
2. At least FIVE minutes recitation (for the beginner) of the Qur'an from the Mushaf that has no translation.
3. At least FIVE minutes recitation of the Qur'an from memory during activities such as walking.
7 HOMEWORKS
4. 30 seconds (not minutes!) study of the vocabulary sheet, preferably before or after every Salah or any other suitable intervals.
5. Recitation of the last 14 Surahs in rotation in the Sunan and Nawafil of daily Salah.
7 HOMEWORKS
6. Talking to your colleague for 1 minute every day regarding the lesson (if you are studying this course in a class).
7. Listening to a tape which contains these recitations with word-by-word meanings (in your car while driving and at your home while doing household chores). You can record the contents of this course yourselves into a tape, in case a recorded tape is not available.
