Keeping a Journal
A journal is a personal writing, much like a diary you may have written when you
were young. It is a place to write down your thoughts, your feelings, or maybe
just the events that happened in your daily life. The information that you put
into your journal is totally up to you!
Your journal may be in the form of notebook with several blank pages, a bound
notebook, or it may be written on a personal computer and kept in electronic
form. Again, the choice is up to you.
You may want to keep your journal private and under lock and key. If you write
it on a computer, you can use a word processing program that enables you to use
a password in order to keep others from prying into your personal writings.
In order to start a journal, after you have decided on what you will use to
write it on, you need to just basically start writing. There are generally no
set rules for starting or keeping a journal. You will probably want to write
down the date before you start each entry so that you can easily keep track of
when each entry was written.
Some people have kept a journal of their life, along with their private hopes,
dreams, and thoughts for many years since they were young. Some people make it a
point to wrtie down at least a few sentences every day in order to keep a
running, daily account of the happenings in their life. Then, they can go back
and read their entries whenever they feel like it and recapture the times of
their lives. They can read their own words and relive happy times, times of
sorrow, or maybe just remember certain events that took place in their own
lives. They can even read about world events that they had previously described
in their own words in their journals!
A journal is a good place to think about, as well as work out difficult problems
that you may have in your life. It is also a good tool to use if you need to
resolve a situation in your life. As you write down the words that describe the
problem, and reread them, your thinking processes will begin to help you shape a
possible answer to your dilemma.
It can be fun to flip back through the pages of your journal and reread some
thoughts and events that have taken place in your life. Even though the days of
the calendar go by so quickly, you can preserve your own thoughts in your own
daily journal. Your journal is your own personal prospective on your life and
the world around you. You think of the words and write them down as only you can
do. The possibilities are endless and are completely up to you!
So, if you decide to start a journal, the best time to start is today, right
now. Start writing down whatever you want and let your creativity be your only
guide!
1)If you are worried about your
privacy, keep a computer journal. Microsoft Word has security features that
allow you to password protect your thoughts.
2) Splurge a little on your journal. Buy a journal that appeals to you.
3) Make your own journal. Go to the library and check out a book on Japanese
stab binding' since they make excellent journals and are very easy to make. You
can be very creative with decorating your journal. This is also a good
project for younger children.
4)Keep a travel journal also. maybe keep it in the car, suitcase, etc. write
down those favorite places near and far you visit with family and friends. Sketch
scenery (trees, clouds, water, buildings, landmarks, etc.). These journals make
for great memories and .they are helpful for children to teach geography and to
learn to appreciate the 'signs' Allah has placed for us on the earth.
5) Encourage your friends to journal by throwing a journal party. Invite friends
for tea and remind them to bring their journals and/or paper/pencil. Set aside
some quiet time for everyone to journal. Share only if you feel comfortable.
7)Set up a calendar on this list (i.e. weekly reminder) to journal.This helps
remind those who want to journal to do so.
8) Have fun. Journals can be serious, they can be sad or funny. Find out what
works best for you.
"There are moments in life when you read some Ayahs (verses) in the Quran, and they seem to have been revealed precisely for your needs at those moments. You have read them a hundred times before, but only now have your life experiences prepared you to understand them....Keep a Qur'an journal of these moments when certain verses click and become real in your life."
Why keep a Quranic journal?
1. Creates reverence for the Quran
For many Muslims today, especially those who have not grown up in a Muslim country, the value of the Qur'an as the Word of Allah may not be as strongly entrenched.
They may not feel the very special connection to the Book of Allah other Muslims who have grown up learning and reciting it from childhood in a mostly Muslim environment have.
The Quranic journal is a way to develop a stronger connection to the Quran by noting our reactions to it.
2. It can help the words of Allah sink in
One problem many, many Muslims in our day and age, and in our culture have is a lack of concentration. In our fast-paced culture, squeezing in time to read the Quran is sometimes hard. Those times that we do read, the words don't seem to sink in. The Quran journal can help do that.
3. The Quranic journal is about you
The Quran is not simply a Book to be read and memorized. It is a Book to be lived. That means the deeper our understanding, and the more we connect what we learn from the Quran to our daily lives and experiences, the better we can see it as THE tool of guidance in our affairs.
We will see the Quran as part of our daily life in this time. The lessons in it will not be lessons for people from centuries ago, irrelevant to us. Rather, they will be our lessons, regardless of whether we live in Karachi or Kansas.
Some tips on keeping a Quranic journal
1. Ask yourself: why am I doing this?
Some reasons could be:
a. for the sake of Allah
b. to make the Quran a living reality for me
c. to learn how to use the Quran as a tool for guidance in my everyday life.
If your intention is sincerely all three, Insha Allah (if Allah wills), you will benefit and learn from the experience and grow as a Muslim.
2. Remember, this is not a Tafseer
It is very, very important to point out that your Quranic journal is NOT an official exegesis (Tafseer) of the Quran. It is simply a record of your thoughts at various moments while you read the Quran.
It is strongly recommended that you do not read simply a translation of the Quran. Rather, find a good, reliable Tafseer. The Tafseer helps because it gives you much needed background and context to properly understand what the verses of the Quran mean.
3. Pray for guidance
While we have our role to play in developing our understanding and practice of the Quran and of Islam in general, ultimately, it is Allah Who guides. Regularly ask for His Guidance, Mercy and Forgiveness.
4. Get a specific notebook for this
A notebook is just simpler and neater. You won't have the possibility of your papers flying off in different directions as you would if you kept a journal in a folder or binder.
If you're the type who loves stationery, invest in a notebook with a nice design and a smooth writing pen.
5. Set aside a specific time to read the Quran
Learning needs to happen on a regular basis. Establishing a schedule is probably the best way for you to really connect with the Quran. Just set aside a few minutes at a time when you know you won't be easily distracted. It could be in the early morning hours before everyone is up. It could be late at night when everyone is asleep. Or it could be in the late afternoon at a spot away from noise and other distractions.
6. Make sure you understand the right meaning of the verse
This is where your Tafseer will help. You will get a proper understanding of why this verse was revealed and under what circumstances, as well as what it means for Muslims.
7. Ask the big question
How does this connect to me and my experiences? That is one of the main reasons you are keeping this journal, to discover this.
For instance, verses of the Quran which talk about motherhood may give you lots to think about and ponder if you are pregnant or are about to be a father. Verses about parents may help remind you about your special bond and responsibilities to your own if you have been estranged from or are having a difficult time with your mother or father.
8. Note down what you're feeling, thoughts,etc.
You don't have to write like Shakespeare. All you have to do is honestly look within and ask the relevant questions and record your feelings. You can simply start off the process with, "this verse reminds me of when..." or "this verse makes me think of....".
9. Avoid using names
Try to avoid using the specific names of people in your journal. The point of the journal is to help you understand the Quran and to help you grow as a Muslim. If you use names, you will risk hurting feelings if your journal is found and read, by accident or not.
10. Check with scholars and build your knowledge
Let your Quranic journal writing experience be a starting point to a deeper understanding of the Quran. In other words, don't just think that if you've written a journal entry about a set of verses or on a topic, after having read the Tafseer, you've done your job.
Attend lectures of reliable scholars who often tie the meanings of the Quran to everyday life for Muslims, especially in your specific context (i.e. the US or North America).
11. Look back regularly
Once in a while, it would be a good idea to read your old entries. This will not only be a nice trip down memory lane, but it will also indicate your progress as a Muslim in implementing Islam.
For instance: do you notice that many of your entries are angry in tone, but seem to become calmer later? Or do you notice a theme of sadness in your journal entries which you were not aware of? Is there some are of Islam which you still need to get answers about?
Be conscious of these observations. This is where the Quranic journal can help you not only think about Islam, but also develop your character as a Muslim.