JazakAllahu khair! Roadmap to understand Quran: 1- Learn to read Quran with proper tajweed. 2- Learn basic word for word translation. 3- Learn basic tafseer first then go for deeper understanding. 4- Learn Arabic language to have access to tafseers in Arabic and other beneficial books. Correct me if misunderstood any step :)
I agree with this step-by-step approach but I have a different experience. I was moved deeply when I heard the tafseer for the first time and that instilled the passion inside me to learn word for word, Arabic grammar and tajweed :)
May Allah reward you immensely for your efforts in putting this roadmap. My humble opinion is I see step 2 should supersede step 1. In the time of the prophet peace be upon him, Arabic was their native tongue ‘s language so understanding the general meaning was already accomplished before they started to recite the Quran with Tajweed . The main purpose of revealing the Quran is guidance which means extracting wisdom, lessons, and guidelines to help the believer in accomplish ing success in this life and in the hereafter. The reason I say this is because too many people get occupied by the recitation and either they don’t continue to the step of understanding the Quran or they find learning Tajweed is hard and they leave the Quran altogether. So, because Islam also is global and learning the Arabic Alphabet, pronunciation and Tajweed can be very challenging to people whose their native tongue is not Arabic , I believe learning the meaning , reflect on the Verses, and learning how these Ayat can be applied on an individual , family, community and national level will be more productive.
Jazak Allah Khair Imam. This is immensely helpful. With so many options out there, one has to be very careful about starting with reliable translations and tafaseer. Jazak Allah for sharing some reliable texts for us lay people to start with. May Allah SWT bless you and your family!
Learn to read the Quran with Tajweed (the correct pronunciation) Read as much Quran as possible to gain fluency in reading the Quran Basic translation of the Quran, e.g., the Clear Quran, or MAS Abdul Haleem translation Word for word translation of the Quran Basic explanation / tafseer of the Quran in English, e.g., ibn kathir, As Sa'di, Maariful Quran Deeper tafseer Learn Arabic language to understand Quran better and to gain access to other tafasir that are not yet translated Different types of tafseers Do not go about your journey alone. Have some kind of regular scholarly supervision and guidance.
