Salamu Alaikum,

It is recommended for every believing man and woman to recite the Book of Allaah, 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. Allaah - the Most High – Says (what means): "[This is] a blessed Book (the Quran) 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]

Are you one of those people who rarely touch the Quran? Or do you read it daily, but don't find it is having the impact on you that it should? Whatever the case may be, these are some simple tips that can help you connect with the Quran.

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 Allaah's book. Ask yourself, honestly, why you are reading it. Is it to just get some information and to let it drift away from you later? Remember that the Prophet Muhammad, may Allaah exalt his mention, was described by his noble wife, 'Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, as a "walking Quran": in other words, he didn't just read and recite the Quran, he lived it.

2. Before you touch it, do 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 Allaah, 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 Quran for at least one whole hour. If you are not in the habit of reading regularly, this is too much. Start off with just five minutes daily. If you took care of step one, Insha Allaah (Allaah 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 Quran in Arabic is good, but you need to understand what you are reading. If you are not Arabic, or you don't understand the Arabic language, then make sure you have a good translation of the Quran in the language you understand best. Always try to read the translation of what you have read that day.
Regarding those who neglect the Glorious Quran by not reading or not understanding it, Allaah Almighty Says (what means):"And the Messenger has said, “O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Quran as [a thing] abandoned." [Quran: 25: 30]

Allaah Almighty informs us about His Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, that he said: "My Lord my people have abandoned - acting or listening - to the Quran" and that is because the idol-worshippers did not pay attention nor listen to the Quran, as Allaah Says (what means): "And those who disbelieve say, “Do not listen to this Quran and speak noisily during [the recitation of] it that perhaps you will overcome.” [Quran 41:26]

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 Quran is not like that. Remember that when you read the Glorious Quran, you are interacting with Almighty Allaah. He Almighty is talking to you, so pay attention.

6. Do not just read, you have to listen too

There are now many audio cassettes and CDs of the Quran, a number of them with translations as well. This is great to put on your walkman or your car's CD or stereo as you drive to and from work. Use this in addition to your daily Quran reading, not as a replacement for it.

7. Make Du'aa' (supplication).

Ask Allaah, the Most Exalted, to guide you when you read the Quran. Your aim is to sincerely, for the love of Allaah, interact with Him by reading, understanding and applying His blessed words. Making Du'aa' to
Allaah for help and guidance will be your best tool for doing this.
When you are making du’aa', you have a direct connection with Allaah Almighty. So when you are saying your du’aa', you shouldn’t be distracted, but instead you should be fully concentrated. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said:

"Make Du’aa' and be assured of it being answered, and know that Allaah, the Exalted, does not answer a Du’aa' from a careless heart which is not concentrating." [At-Tirmithi]

source: islamweb.net

May Allah reward u for this

Treat the Quran as the Greatest book ever

Never touch /read while in the state of impurity(Ladies under menstral flow,without ritual bath)

Dont use the book as pillow or diary

The only uncorrupted Book for over 1400years without removing nor adding a single dot, Alhamdulilah.

Jazakallahu khairan

Great Benefits of reciting the Holy Quran

Indeed to reflect on Allah’s verses is a form of worship that will draw one close to Allah Most High. This reflection is not a reckless and wandering one, rather it includes a study of the classical tafseer of the verses being pondered over, as this would fulfill Ibnul-Qayyim’s great advice, “Such as reflecting over a book which a person has memorized and he expounds it so that he may understand what its author intends by it.”

Indeed the Book of Allah is not a book like any other, it is the timeless Speech of Allah, not a created thing, the study guide for life and death and what comes after. Therefore it deserves a more careful study than anyone else’s speech. It necessitates that its reader return to the early narrations of those who witnessed its revelation and heard its explanation by the one deputed by Allah to rehearse and explain His Words to humanity (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). For if one would try to ponder over the meanings of the verses without having done this study, then surely the filth of the time that he lives in and his ignorance of the correct application and understanding that the early Muslims had would cause him to understand some things not intended by Allah Most High, and therefore he would go astray, thinking to be worshipping Allah. So every sincere Muslim who hopes to earn Allah’s Love breciting and reflecting over Allah’s Book, then let him hold tight to the meanings explained by the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), and those taught by the companions and their immediate followers, and the early scholars of Islam.

So dear brother and sister Muslim! Know that reciting and pondering over the Book of Allah, devoting your time regularly to its study and implementation has tremendous benefits in this life and the Next, so let us now look to just a few of them to attach ourselves more firmly to Allah’s Majestic Words. Each benefit stands as enough of an encouragement to shun any laziness we have and dedicate ourselves to the Qur’an.

1 - Reading and reflecting over the Qur’an fulfils an Islamic duty.

Indeed the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) summarized this Religion with his statement: “The Religion is naseehah (sincerity)!” So then Tameem ibn Aws, may Allah be pleased with him, then said, “We asked, ‘To whom?’” He said: “To Allah, HIS BOOK, His Messenger, the leaders of the people, and their common folk.” [Muslim] The sincerity that is due to the Book of Allah includes its regular recitation, learning the rules of tajweed and reciting it beautifully, learning about its tafseer and the reasons for its revelation, affirming that it is the Truth, the perfect Speech of Allah and not part of the creation, honoring it and defending it, abiding by the orders and prohibitions found in it, teaching it and calling to it. [See Jaami’ul-’Uloom wal-Hikam of Ibn Rajab Al-Hambalee] So by reading and reflecting over the Qur’an, one fulfills an obligation and is rewarded for that. Upon fulfilling this obligation, the Qur’an then becomes a proof for him on the Day of Judgment! And that is our second benefit we will take by embracing this Noble Book,

2 - The Qur’an will be a proof for us on the Day of Judgment.

This is due to the statement of the Messenger: “And the Qur’an is a proof for you or against you.” [Muslim] So one of two things will occur with this proof, the Book of Allah. It will either be in your favor, a proof for you on the Day when you will need every single good deed, or it will be something standing against you, the very Speech of your Creator, a proof against you! Who could be saved from the terrors of that Day if Allah’s own Speech is against him?!?! Think carefully, dear Muslim brother or sister, about your position with the Qur’an! Are you neglecting it, contradicting it, being heedless of its orders and prohibitions, are you thinking deeply over it?! Will it be on your side on the Day of Judgment.?! O Allah! We ask you, by Your Glorious Speech and the rest of your beautiful Names and Attributes, to make the Qur’an a proof for us! O Allah! Don’t make the Qur’an a proof against us on that Day, and save us from the hellfire! For if Allah makes the Qur’an a proof in our favour on that Day, then it would also be an intercessor for us, when NO intercession will take place except by His Permission.

3 - The Qur’an will intercede for us on the Day of Judgment.

The proof: Aboo Umaamah relates that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Read the Qur’an, for verily it will come on the Day of Standing as an intercessor for its companions.” [Muslim]

4 - Your status in this life will be raised.

In Saheeh Muslim, we find a lovely story, about how a man from the people of Jannah, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, understood this principle. Some men came to question him during his khilaafah about the leadership of Makkah, they asked, “Who do you use to govern Makkah?” He said, “Ibn Abzaa.” They asked, “And who is Ibn Abzaa?” Umar replied, “A freed slave from those we freed.” They remarked, “You left a freed slave in charge of the people of the Valley (the noble tribes of the Quraysh)!?!?” So he answered them, “Verily he is a reader of the Book of Allah and is knowledgeable about the obligations of the Muslims. Haven’t you heard the statement of your Messenger: “Verily Allah raises some people by this Book and lowers others by it.”

5 - You will be from the best of the people.

‘Uthmaan, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “The best of you are the ones who learn the Qur’an and teach it to others” [Al-Bukhari]

6 - There are ten rewards for each letter you recite from the Qur’an.

As an authentic hadith in At-Tirmithee proves: “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.” So increase your recitation of the Qur’an to gain these merits, and to gain the following merit as well.

7 - The reciters of the Qur’an will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels.

‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, relates that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Verily the one who recites the Qur’an beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have TWICE that reward.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

So dear brother or sister Muslim, do not let the Shaytaan give you false excuses, such as “I am not an ‘Arab,” or “Its not my language.” This hadith is a firm proof against these whisperings. Dedicate yourself to the Book of Allah, whether you are an ‘Arab or not! The excuses have been eliminated and the pathway has been cleared for you to embrace the Book of Allah without holding back or offering excuses! And surely you will not hesitate to seek a teacher or a study circle for the Qur’an once you hear the last and perhaps greatest benefits of reading and contemplating over the Qur’an,

8 - Your position in Paradise is determined by the amount of Qur’an you memorize in this life!

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-’Aas heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) saying: “It will be said to the companion of the Qur’an: Read and elevate (through the levels of the Paradise) and beautify your voice as you used to do when you were in the dunyaa! For verily, your position in the Paradise will be at the last verse you recite!” [Aboo Daawood and At-Tirmithee, saheeh]

9 - The Qur’an will lead you to Paradise!
The Prophet said: “The Qur’an is an intercessor, something given permission to intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of him, it will lead him to Paradise; whoever puts it behind him, it will steer him to the Hellfire.” [An authentic hadith found in At-Tabaraanee, on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood]

Know, dear brother or sister, that these nine benefits from the many benefits available can only be attained by a sincere commitment to the Book of Allah, not by a person’s mere statement, “I love the Qur’an, it’s beautiful.” Rather the heart must be sincerely attached to Allah’s Book and the limbs and tongue will follow in this attachment. You must know that we only mentioned a few of the numerous benefits of reading and reflecting over the Qur’an. There are many benefits that await your reading in the Qur’an and books of hadith, like the chapter of the Qur’an that will argue on your behalf in the grave, and that it is a physical healing, a source of rest and relaxation for your heart, among many other things. And Allah knows best.
(Taken from Look 4 Islam)

http://www.madina.com/group_discussion_view.php?group_id=137&grouptopic_id=413&lang_id=7

Jazakumullahu Khairan.

Say " Sadaqa Allah ul-`Azheem (Allah Says the Truth)" and Invoking Allah after Recitation

The Glorious Qur'an is sacred, so after finishing the recitation, one should say "Allah Says the Truth", bear witness that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, has truly delivered the message, and testify that the Glorious Qur'an is all true. One should say: "Our Lord! You have said the Truth. Your messengers have delivered the message. We testify on all this. O Allah! Make us bear witness of the truth and observe justice in all our dealings." Then, one should supplicate Allah, asking for His Grace and Bounty.

One should restart reciting the Glorious Qur'an when he comes to its end in order not to render it disused or forsaken. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, when he finished reciting the Glorious Qur'an, used to read about five verses from the beginning in order not to render it deserted. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a man came and said: O Messenger of Allah! What is the best of all deeds? He said: Be like a man who is constantly on the go. The man said: what is meant by "a man on the go"? The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: He is reciter of the Glorious Qur'an who starts reciting it from the beginning to its end, then starts from its beginning once more; whenever he settles he travels again.

It is recommended to gather one's household together upon finishing recitation of the Glorious Qur'an. Abu Bakr Al-Anbari said: Idris told us that Khalaf told us that Waki` told us on the authority of Mus`ar after Qatadah, that Anas Ibn Malik used to gather his household when he came to finish reciting [/b]the Glorious Qur'an and started to [b]invoke Allah the Almighty.

Idris told us that Khalaf told us that Jarir told us on the authority of Mansour after Al-Hakam, who said: Mujahid, `Abdullah Ibn Ubai and others used to frequently recite the Glorious Qur'an. And when they come to finish reciting the whole Glorious Qur'an they brought us because mercy descends upon finishing recitation of the Qur'an.

Idris told us that Khalaf told us that Hasheem told us on the authority of Al-`Awwam after Ibrahim Al-Taimi, who said: The Angels pray and supplicate for the sake of those who finish reciting the Glorious Qur'an at the beginning of day till the evening comes, and for those who finish it at the beginning of evening till the day comes. He added: For this, they preferred to finish reciting it at the beginning of either day or evening.

Sadakaallahul Azeem.