The Role of the Qur’an in Ramadan: Why It’s Called the Month of Revelation

Introduction: Why Is Ramadan Linked So Deeply With the Qur’an?

Ramadan is often called “The Month of Revelation” because it marks the beginning of the Qur’anic revelation in Ramadan. Muslims worldwide honor this sacred connection by reciting, reflecting, and understanding the Qur’an more deeply. This unique bond, known as the Qur’an and Ramadan connection, shapes the spiritual rhythm of the holy month.

The Qur’an states clearly:

“Ramaḍân is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority…… ”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)

This verse alone explains why Muslims associate Ramadan with divine guidance, mercy, and reflection. Clearly emphasizing that this is the Holy month of Qur’an.

Month of Revelation Meaning: What Actually Happened in Ramadan?

Ramadan is significant because:

1. The first verses were sent down to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through Angel Jibrael.
2. This happened on a night described as “better than a thousand months.”
3. Scholars call this moment the spiritual birth of Islam as a complete way of life.
   

Ibn Kathir writes that Laylat al-Qadr was honored because “the Qur’an, the greatest divine blessing, was revealed on it.”

 Laylat al-Qadr Significance: The Night of Power

This night is the heart of the Qur’an and Ramadan connection.

Allah says:

“Indeed, We sent this Quran down on the Night of Glory.”
(Surah Al-Qadr 97:1-5)

Laylat al-Qadr significance:

• It is when revelation began.
• Angels descend with divine peace.
• “The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months. That night the angels and the holy spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every decreed matter. It is all peace until the break of dawn.” [Quran 97 :3-5]
  Worship on this night(night which is better than 1,000 months) is rewarded more.
• It is a night to seek forgiveness, dua (supplication), and spiritual clarity.

People ask: “Why is Laylat al-Qadr important in Qur’an revelation?”
Answer: Because it is the night the final divine scripture for humanity began.

The Importance of Qur’an in Ramadan

Ramadan is a month of discipline and spiritual awakening. Fasting purifies the body, while the Qur’an nourishes the soul.

What makes Qur’an recitation special in Ramadan?

1. Greater reward – Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
   “Whoever recites one letter of the Qur’an gets ten rewards…” (Tirmidhi)
2. Revives the Sunnah – The Prophet  ﷺ used to review the Qur’an with Angel Jibreel every Ramadan, and twice in the final year.
3. It strengthens reflection and understanding, known as Reflection on Qur’an verses, which deepens faith.

Scholarly insights: Understanding the Importance of Qur’an in Ramadan 

• Dr.Bilal Philips in one of his lectures affirms, “Ramadan is indeed the month in which the Quran was revealed.Indeed as a guidance for people and clarity, which it provides. Allah has made this special mention. So, there’s that connection – connection with the revelation and the connection with the practice of the Prophet (PBUH). We should give time to the Quran, it’s strongly encouraged. But we have to remember that goal of the reading or the Quran is “TAQWA”(means Fear of God) which is same as the goal of Fasting i.e., IHSAN (excellence) and not that we should be able to say at the end of Ramadan that I read a whole Quran twice or even 4 times. The goal is to have read the Quran, reflected upon it, and try to act on what we have read from our readings.”
• Dr.Omar Suleiman answers questions that people often ask in great numbers, “How much Quran should I be reading? What should my Quran goal be in Ramadan in relation to my recitation in other months of the year?”
    He says, “One of the beautiful things about The Prophet ﷺ is that there is guidance from him for everything that we do and that takes into consideration every circumstance.

1. What you read in Ramadan should be more that what you read outside of this month, it should stand out from the usual recitation of the Quran.
2. In other months it should not be completely abandoned and just get into recitation only for one month. But there should be a healthy discrepancy. Something that we learn from the pious predecessors.
3. “Jabriel used to repeat the recitation of the Qur’an with the Prophet (ﷺ) once a year, but he repeated it twice with him in the year he died.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 4998]. We see some level of review, some basis for the idea of going from cover to cover in particular in this Holy month.

Hadith guidance on how much a person can do a khatm (or recite a complete Quran)

Did our Prophet ﷺ give any equation of how much Quran you should read on a regular basis? Or some advice to the companions outside of Ramadan? Is there a number that He (PBUH) mentioned?

Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Read the Quran once in every month.” I said, “I have strength to do more.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Then read it in twenty nights.” I said, “I have strength to do more.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Then read it in seven nights, and do not do more than that.”

[ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4693, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1971]

Reading Qur’an During Fasting: Why It Feels Different

Many Muslims say reciting the Qur’an while fasting feels emotionally deeper. This aligns with the Sunnah. Scholars say:

• Fasting calms the heart, reducing distractions.
• Hunger makes a believer more humble and connected to Allah’s words.
• It improves focus, enhancing understanding revelation in Islam.

This spiritual harmony explains why many wonder:
“How does reading the Qur’an bring blessings in Ramadan?”

Because fasting humbles the body, while the Qur’an elevates the soul.

Summary

• Ramadan is the month to exert yourself with the Quran like no other month of the year.
• If you don’t have a structure to how often you are trying to finish the Quran, you have to frame a method here:

1. Start with something small and consistent that you know you can accomplish, Insha Allah.
2. An easy way to plan towards your recitation during this Holy month is to read half of it in Shawwal.
3. Circumstances are different for different people. Imam Al-Nawai Rahimahullah was asked “How often should the Quran  be recited during Ramadan?” He said, “ Not everyone has the same circumstances (pointing to people who work, or who volunteer other Islamic welfare and charitable programs, and those who are new to Islam, etc), everyone should read at least to a point that they can understand and reflect.” emphasizing that Islam is not a burden. 

• Lailat al-Qadr is the night of revelation. (better than 1000 months.
• There are Spiritual rewards for recitation, specifically in this month the rewards are multiple.

Conclusion

The Qur’an and Ramadan connection is not symbolic—it is historical, spiritual, and transformative. Ramadan invites every believer to reconnect with Allah’s words, understand the Month of Revelation’s meaning, and allow the Qur’an to illuminate their life.