How to improve your relationship with the Qur’an

It is recommended for every believing man and woman to recite the Book of Allah, the Noble Quran, often, with due contemplation and understanding. This may be done by using a copy of the Quran or from one’s memory.
Allah – the Most High – Says (what means): “[This is] a blessed Book (the Qur’an) which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.” [Quran 38:29]
1. Before you touch it, check your heart
The key to really benefiting from the Quran is to check your heart first, before you even touch Allah’s book. Remember that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was described by his noble wife,   ‘Aa’ishah as a “walking Quran”: in other words, he didn’t just read and recite the Qur’an, he lived it.
2. Before you touch it, perform your Wudhoo’ (ablution)
Doing your Wudhoo’ is good physical and mental preparation to remind you that you are not reading just another book. You are about to interact with Allah, the Most Exalted, so being clean should be a priority when communicating with Him.
3. Start with reading only five minutes everyday
Too often, we think that we should read the Noble Qur’an for at least one whole hour. Start off with just five minutes daily. If you took care of step one, Insha Allah (Allah willing), you will notice that those five minutes will become ten, then half an hour, then an hour, and maybe even more!
4. Make sure that you understand what you have read
Five minutes of reading the Qur’an in Arabic is good, but you need to understand what you are reading. If you don’t understand the Arabic language, then make sure you have a good translation of the Qur’an in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you have read that day.
5. Remember that the Noble Quran is far more interactive than a CD
In an age of “interactive” CD-ROMs and computer programs, a number of people think books are passive and boring. But the Qur’an is not like that. Remember that when you read the Glorious Qur’an, you are interacting with Almighty Allah. He, the Almighty is talking to you, so pay attention.
6. Do not just read, you have to listen too
There are now many CDs of the Qur’an, a number of them with translations as well. This is great to put on your car’s CD or stereo as you drive to and from work. Use this in addition to your daily Qur’an reading, not as a replacement for it.
7. Make Du’aa’ (supplication)
Ask Allah, the Most Exalted, to guide you when you read the Quran. Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of Allah, interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Dua to Allah for help and guidance will be your best tool for doing this.
When you are making du’aa’, you have a direct connection with Allah Almighty. So when you are saying your du’aa’, you shouldn’t be distracted, but instead you should be fully concentrated. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
“Make Du’aa’ and be assured of it being answered, and know that Allah, the Exalted, does not answer a Du’aa’ from a careless heart which is not concentrating.” [At-Tirmithi]