What is Quran Journaling? A Quick Guide

Do you ever read the Quran and feel like you’re just reading words on a page? You complete a page, then another, but your heart feels untouched. You know it’s the word of Allah, but you struggle to feel its power and relevance in your daily life.

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Many of us go through this. The good news is that there is a beautiful, personal, and transformative practice that can bridge this gap: Quran Journaling.

This is not just another item on your religious to-do list. It is a conversation. It is a journey of the heart and mind, guided by the divine words of your Creator.

Whenever I mention Quran Journaling, people often ask, "What is Quran Journaling?" because they are familiar with regular journaling, not this specific practice. 
Well, Quran Journaling is quite similar to that, too.

Quran Journaling is a way to write down your thoughts while reading the Quran. Just like regular journaling, Quran Journaling is also a personal and reflective practice.

                                                                      How to Make Quran Tafseer Notes

In simple terms, Quran Journaling is the practice of actively engaging with the Quran by writing down your reflections, thoughts, questions, and lessons from its verses.

Think of it like this: Reading the Quran is like visiting a beautiful, vast garden. You can walk through it quickly and see the general beauty. But Quran Journaling is like sitting down next to one specific, magnificent flower. You take out a magnifying glass. You observe its colors, its delicate petals, its scent, and you think about how it grew from a tiny seed. You connect with it on a much deeper level.

Benefits of Quran Journaling:

There are many benefits of Quran Journaling, such as

1. It Transforms You from a Passive Reader to an Active Listener.
   When you just read, it's easy for your mind to wander. But when you have a pen in your hand, you become an active participant. You are not just consuming information; you are processing it, wrestling with it, and internalizing it. This active engagement makes your Quranic reading session far more focused and profound.
2. It Forges a Deep, Personal Connection with Allah.
   This is the heart of Quran Journaling. As you journal, you start to see the Quran not as a distant, ancient text, but as a direct message from your Lord to you. When you read a verse about forgiveness, you might write about a specific person you need to forgive. When you read about Allah's mercy, you might write about a time you desperately felt His mercy in your life. This turns the Quran into a living, breathing conversation.
3. It Dramatically Improves Your Understanding and Memory.
   The physical act of writing helps cement knowledge in your brain. By paraphrasing a Tafseer in your own words, drawing a mind map, or creating a summary, you are far more likely to remember the meaning of the verse weeks or even months later. Your journal becomes a personalized reference book you created yourself.
4. It Provides Practical, Daily Guidance.
   The Quran is a guidance for mankind. Journaling helps you extract that guidance for your specific situation. You move from "This is a nice verse" to "This is what I will do because of this verse." You create actionable steps that help you live the Quran, not just read it.
5. It Becomes a Source of Solace and a Record of Your Growth.
   Your Quran journal becomes a safe space for you to pour out your heart. You can write about your struggles in light of the verses you are studying. Over time, this journal becomes a record of your spiritual journey. Looking back at old entries, you can see how Allah guided you through difficult times and how your understanding has matured. It becomes a treasure chest of your personal growth.
6. Improve our Understanding

The Step-by-Step Quran Journaling Method

Here is a simple, effective method you can follow for any set of verses. Remember, this is a guide, not a rigid rule. Feel free to adapt it to what feels natural for you.

Let's say you've chosen to journal about Surah Al-Fatihah, Ayah 2: "Alhamdulillahi Rabbil 'Alameen" (All praise is for Allah—Lord of all the worlds).

Step 1: The First Impression (Just You and the Quran)

• Read the Verse in Arabic: Listen to its sound. Feel its rhythm.
• Read the Translation Slowly: Don't rush. Let the words sink in.
• Write Your Initial Thoughts: In your journal, jot down the first things that come to your mind.

This step is crucial. It’s your raw, personal reaction before you look at any scholarly explanations.

Step 2: The Deep Dive (Exploring the Tafseer)

Now, open your Tafseer resource. Create a simple template in your journal. You can use headings like:

• Surah & Verse: Surah Al-Fatihah, Ayah 2.
• Key Word Study: Pick one or two key words and explore their meaning.
• Summary of Tafseer: In your own words, write down the explanation of the verse.

Step 3: The Personal Connection (The Heart of Journaling)

This is where the magic happens. Ask yourself reflective questions and write your answers honestly.

• What does this verse teach me about Allah? (It teaches me that He is in control of everything and is constantly taking care of me.)
• How does this change my perspective on my life? (If He is the Lord of all worlds, then my problems aren't too big for Him. I can trust His plan.)
• How can I live this verse today?

Step 4: The Creative Expression (Make it Beautiful)

This step is optional but highly recommended. Use your colors and creativity to solidify the lesson.

• Write the Arabic verse in a beautiful font.
• Draw a mind map with "Alhamdulillahi Rabbil 'Alameen" in the center and branch out with the meanings of "Rabb," "Alameen," and your action points.
• Use a highlighter to mark your key personal takeaway.

Consistency is Key:

Make it your Routine. Here are a Few Tips:

     Small Start: Even writing once a week is impactful.

     Set Time: Create a consistent Time for it, like after Fajar or before going to bed.

     Be Patient: The more you journal, the more you will deeper your connection with the Quran.

Bonus Tip - Ideas for your Quran Journaling:

1. How can I show gratitude for the blessings mentioned in the Quran?
2. What Practical Steps Should I take after reflecting on the Wisdom of Quranic Ayahs?
3. How does this Ayah (the one you are reading) relate to the Challenges I am facing right now?
4. What does this Ayah teach me about Allah's mercy, justice, and power?
5. What lesson did I learnt from this Surah (the one you are reading)?

That's it for today! I hope you enjoyed this post. 

You can follow my Quran Journaling Channel on WhatsApp, called “Quran Journaling with Rabia”. For more Quran - related content, feel free to follow me on TikTok and Instagram. 

Let me know in the comments section which topic you are choosing for your next Quran Journaling session.