Ask the Imam: How much Quran one should recite during the month of fasting?

Ramadan is the month of the Quran and everyone should strive to refresh his or her understanding of the entire Quran at least once in this month. I usually advise my students to read the meaning of the Quran in their own languages without the help of the Arabic at least once in this month so that they can focus on the message and learn its essence.

As far as reading the Quran by non-Arabic comprehending people is concerned they can do read as much as they can. But they must understand that such a reading is only reading without comprehension and it does not serve the purpose of seeking guidance based on understanding.

Some people often argue that the Quran can only be understood through a scholar and a person should not attempt to understand the Quran on his or her own. This is not what Allah or his messenger said because if this was the case than the idea of individual accountability has no meaning. Individual accountability comes into play only when an individual takes a decision or action based on self-understanding of something. We cannot argue with Allah that our understanding of his message was based on the opinion of this scholar or that scholar. We can benefit from other's opinions but not replace them with the divine guidance preserved in the Quran.

If some of you know Arabic, then we read it with understanding and go over the entire Quran at least once a month.

Let us pray that we try to grasp the meaning of the entire Quran at least once a month.