The following post is the second in a series called Tadabbur of the Quran. It is an engaging way to reflect on the Qur’an, to heal and deepen our understanding with mind and heart. It draws on the remarkable work of Ustadh Fadel Suleiman, founder of the Bridges Foundation, which is available on YouTube in Arabic.
The Series Background:
On their channel, there are many playlists, a few in English and others in Arabic. There is a playlist of Tadabbur (i.e., deep reflection and contemplation) for each Surah (i.e., chapter) of the Noble Qur’an. This was a project he started during the COVID-19 lockdown and continued for two years after. He began with Surah Yunus and was encouraged by his followers to continue on the path until he finished the entire Quran.
If you understand Arabic, this is a great resource for learning how to contemplate the Quran. He’s been a wealth of knowledge, and it’s been of great benefit to my family, especially in how we teach the Quran to our kids. I’m sure they’ll launch more series in English at some point, but for now I wanted to start sharing this one.
On YouTube, Ustadh Fadel has named this series the “Keys of Tadabbur.” The distinction of this title is important because it truly reflects the keys to opening our eyes to how we can look at the letters, words, and sentences of the Quran.
A Reminder:
To remind ourselves, Tadabbur is not a scholarly interpretation (Tafsir); it is the process of pondering the meaning, wisdom, and application of the words of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala). This series demonstrates how to perform Tadabbur, which extends beyond recitation and even memorization.
First, it allows us to pause, think, appreciate, learn, and internalize the lessons. Second, the series explains how to use context, sentence formation, and other methods to understand the revelation more simply while building a closer relationship with the Quran.
Let’s grab our Qur’an Journal, and let’s begin.
Let’s start with (بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم) In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all universes. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.
Dua’a: “O Allah, teach us what benefits us, benefit us with what You have taught us, and increase us in knowledge.” (“اللهم علمنا ما ينفعنا وانفعنا بما علمتنا وزدنا علما)
Ustadh Fadel Suleiman teaches us In this reflection that tadabbur (deep reflection) is of two kinds:
These two kinds are: Intellectual reflection and heartfelt reflection.
Our second post in this Tadabbur Series will explore heartfelt tadabbur, which is rooted in the Qur’an itself.
In the Noble Qur’an, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) says in Surah 47: Muhammad:
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَآ
Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Or are there locks upon their hearts? [Muḥammad: 24]
Ustadh Fadel reminds us, through the Ayah (i.e., sign)1, heartfelt tadabbur means allowing the Qur’an to move the heart.
Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) says in Surah 25: Al-Furqān:
وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ لَمْ يَخِرُّوا۟ عَلَيْهَا صُمًّۭا وَعُمْيَانًۭا
˹They are˺ those who, when reminded of the revelation of their Lord, do not turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to it. [Al-Furqān: 73]
When you come across verses describing Paradise, pause—and ask Allah, in His vast mercy, to grant us entry into it.
As you read verses about punishment, pause—and ask Allah to protect us from the Fire.
For when you encounter verses about the believers, ask Allah to make us among them.
And when you read about the hypocrites, seek refuge in Allah from ever being among them.
How do we engage with the Qur’an?
As a matter of fact, through this practice, we train ourselves in heartfelt tadabbur. This allows our emotions to engage with the Qur’an.
The focus is heartfelt tadabbur (deep reflection).
Ustadh Fadel Suleiman
As a result, this type of reflection naturally leads the reader to slow down. Allows you to read with awareness and understanding, rather than rushing through pages simply to complete a recitation. It moves us away from quick completions that lack reflection and presence.
Spending thirty minutes in the morning and thirty minutes in the evening reading in this way is enough to transform one’s life entirely. The Qur’an brings life to our hearts. To hearts that have grown weary or distant. It speaks to your emotions, comforts your heart, eases loneliness, and fills the soul with renewed hope and quiet joy.
Furthermore, Ustadh Fadel points us to the fact that the Qur’an is an inexhaustible source of meaning. Every time you recite it, you discover something that was previously hidden. And the more you return to it, the more layers of meaning unfold. This is why we are called to read the Qur’an with tadabbur—deep reflection—so that we may truly understand it, for it is a Book sent down to all of humanity from the heavens.
Build a new Habit:
Discover the Qur’an’s messages, draw closer to Allah’s words and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), and strengthen your faith. The month of Ramadan, a month of worship and a month of the Qur’an, is drawing closer. The start can be as early as February 17, 2026. Take the chance to build a habit you can carry forward after Ramadan. I am sure you’ll notice many changes in your life.
With the help and blessing of Allah, we continue this journey with Ustadh Fadel Suleiman and the Noble Qur’an.
Dua’a: “O Allah, teach us what benefits us, benefit us with what You have taught us, and increase us in knowledge. Show us the truth as truth and grant us the ability to follow it. And show us falsehood as falsehood and grant us the ability to avoid it.“
All the topics mentioned in this section were taken from a video by Ustadh Fadel Suleiman. The link to the episode is here: Keys of Tadabbur.
The first reflection in the series is: Tadabbur of the Qur’an: Reflection One – How the Qur’an Heals
Check out the Start Here post to learn more about our content.
- Ayah: Means “sign” in Arabic. Through this series, it will be used in place of a verse as each one is a “sign” from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) that guides us in the right path. ↩︎
