Khatam Quran

The office's Puspanita held a Majlis Khatam Quran today. The third Majlis Khatam Quran after a 'divide & conquer' style of tadarus was conducted in all the different departments. Our department was asked to finish Juz 28-30, and we did it in a few days because the verses were further divided among the many readers as we were placed in groups of 3.

Personally, I prefer a more traditional version of tadarus. You know, a medium group of 5-7 people, each person taking turn to read while others listen and correct our reading and someoen will read the translation of the Quranic verses we just read. Sometimes there'll be a small discussion on what we've just read whether on hukum or on asbabun nuzul. But well, I have no problem with any different kind of tadarus groups. In fact I'm thrilled that I get to join one after three years of reading the Quran on my own in Ramadhan (with hubby checking on my reading every now and then...)

Yesterday we had a meeting among the department's tadarus group members and were told that some of us will be needed to help with the Puspanita's Majlis Khatam Quran, and we also need to send 2 representatives as reciter in the Majlis. The No 1 choice was unanimous - one clerk named Aju is a really good qari'ah. But I was quite surprised when my name was announced as the other reciter.

"Eh, tak ada orang lain ke?"

Apparently the meeting decided to pick one representative among the support staff and another among the officers.

I tried to nominate another more senior officer, Puan K, but she declined saying that she had to pick her son from school at 12.00 (the time of the Majlis), so I agreed.

For some reasons I find it quite funny. Long long time ago, back in my high school, my name would never be on anybody's list as the 'qariah'. Nobody would have thought that I would grow up to marry a hafiz too. Now, as an adult (and someone who is married to a hafiz) I try to improve my Quran reading by making it a habit. I usually read two pages in the morning, before I start working, in the office. Hubby once commented about seeing me picking up the Quran only during Ramadhan, but he was then not yet aware about this ritual I have every morning.

I didn't know that others actually paid attention until Encik Shukor, my next door neighbour in the office commented about it. In fact he actually thanked me for reciting the Quran every morning - as listeners also get the 'pahala' when one reads the Quran.

Hanum, who used to work in Mak's old office under Mak's supervision told me that when she first started working, Mak who was the Human Resource Manager in that Ministry reminded her to read the Quran everyday. Be it a page or two, but one must stay consistent in reading the Quran until it becomes a habit that's hard to die. Hanum recalls Mak telling her that we don't know what kind of trials, tribulations and obstacles we're going to face in our life, so having the Quran as a constant companion insya Allah will prove to be handy at difficult times.

Reading the Quran is good in Ramadhan. Joining a tadarus group is good in Ramadhan. But it would be even better if we could remain consistent about reading Quran on other days and become a life member of a long lasting tadarus group...