It never ceases to amaze me how quickly Ramadan comes. I blink my eyes and poof! The time comes for a month of fasting and increased worship. Once I get my head around the month being upon us all, excitement for 30 days of spiritual upliftment sets in, and so does the necessary planning.

After I took my shahadah (testament of faith), I was blessed that a Muslim family took me under their wing. When it was time for my first Ramadan, they taught me the significance of planning for the days of fasting, worship and community. From that first experience of fasting, I try to plan the main logistics to have a successful Ramadan, including meals for guests, visits to friends and family's homes, and visits to the masjid.

Most importantly, I concentrate on ways to intensify my ibadah (worship) and how I can make more prayers, dhikr (remembrances) and recite more Quran.

Often, we recite Quranic verses in prayer but do not interact with the Quran every day. Ramadan, however, may (and hopefully should) spark an increased zeal for Muslims to reconnect with our holy book because it is the month in which Allah (S) revealed His final revelation.

Allah (S) says:

"The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion." [Surah Baqarah 2:185]

Completing the entire Quran in Ramadan remains an annual goal for many Muslim worshippers. Recitation of the Holy Book contains numerous benefits and blessings. It is a source of guidance and spiritual grounding. Many people find tranquility when reciting it. And, and this is important to remember, the reward for reciting doubles with one who struggles.

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:

“Verily the one who recites the Quran 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]

What better motivation does one need to engross themselves in the recitation despite the difficulty they might encounter? It can seem challenging, sometimes insurmountably so, to recite the whole Quran in Ramadan, especially for those of us who have language limitations, are slow in our recitation (not all of us are fluent in classical Arabic) and struggle with remembering and implementing the rules of Tajweed. Although I have read the entire Quran during Ramadan, there have been years I failed to achieve my recitation goals. Each year I try to develop a strategy for success and ask for advice from people dedicated to teaching others Quran.

I spoke with two women – with decades of experience teaching others Allah’s (S) final revelation – for some advice on engaging more with the Quran during Ramadan and achieving a complete reading of it within the blessed month. Dahanah Shaheed has taught Quran for 30 years and Fatimah Abdul-Malik for 20 years. I am blessed to have these two phenomenal instructors who educated me on Quran recitation and memorization. Under their tutelage, my recitation improved substantially, increasing my confidence so that I can finish the Quran in Ramadan, Insha’Allah.

Dahanah and Fatimah both have a practical approach to reciting the Quran for spiritual development. When I asked them about finding the time to sit and recite, they each advised to tailor a schedule that will increase the potential for completion.

Many of us have the idea that the best way to recite Quran during Ramadan is by reading a juz (one chapter) in one sitting. While that may be a great way to read daily, Dahanah asserts that it may not be suitable for everyone.

“It is not easy for everyone to find the time every day to sit and complete an entire juz, which is twenty pages long,” Dahanah says. “Work and family demands can make it hard to set aside a huge chunk of time, so consider reading smaller sections throughout the day.”

Fatimah also advises reading manageable sections. “Many people think that they have to sit and read a juz a night, but that’s not the case. You can read at a capacity that is best for you. The idea is that Ramadan is the month of the Quran and to finish it the best way you can if you can.”

Fatimah suggests the popular, more bite-sized method of reciting four pages after each prayer to finish a juz in a day. “Before you get up and go on with your day, recite some pages,” she says. “Four pages after each of the five fard (mandatory) prayers will total the 20 pages in a juz.” Or, depending on the font size of the Quran you’re reading, which may increase or decrease the pages of a juz, divide the juz up into five parts and do a section after each salah.

Dahanah advises people to take advantage of the special Ramadan Taraweeh prayer. “Hold the mushaf (paper Quran) or read the Quran from your phone while offering Taraweeh,” she explains. “Read two pages in each rakah. If you complete 10 rakah, reading 2 pages in each, you will finish a juz.”

If you encounter something that prevents you from reading a whole chapter, Fatimah advises you not to give up. “If you don’t complete a juz that day, it’s not the end of the world or your worship,” she says. “If your goal is to finish the Quran, read more when you can and less when time doesn’t allow a lot of reading.”

Many Muslim women will encounter a break in their fasting and prayers due to menstruation or post-natal bleeding. Dahanah encourages those who want to continue reciting Quran (during their menses or post-natal bleeding) by having someone open the mushaf (physical Quran) and turn the pages for them. She also suggests reading from a phone on a computer screen. “Alhamdulillah, we live in an age with all kinds of access to the Quran,” she explains. “You don’t have to touch the Quran. You can read it from a device and keep up your recitation.”

With a house full of kids and a bunch of deadlines shining back at me on the keyboard, I can never find the time to sit and read a juz at one time. Knowing that I can tailor reading time strengthens my ability to recite and my dedication to engaging with the Quran during Ramadan.

Another thing that helps with reciting the entire Quran is having support from a reading partner, something Fatimah recommends.

“A reading partner will help maintain accountability. If you agree to read a certain amount of Quran per day, you can motivate each other. It’s very easy when things happen to say, ‘I’m not going to recite today.’ A partner can help keep you on track.

“When I studied Quran in Egypt, the shaykh that I was studying under had a reading partner, especially during Ramadan. He sat with his reading partner and recited so the partner could make corrections. The shaykh had the same reading partner outside of Ramadan to function as a reminder to prioritize his Quran recitation.”

Reading partners may also decide to share reading, each reading a set number of pages. Fatimah advises that when sharing Quran recitation, the person who is not reciting should read the verses silently along with their partner.

I had a reading partner for the first time last Ramadan. She made it easier to finish the Quran before the month was over and corrected me as I read. A lot of times, we don’t hear our errors when reciting. So, having a partner can provide valuable feedback to improve your recitation and attain your reading goals.

Whether with a partner or alone, it is good to prepare a strategy for Quran recitation. Below are a few things you can do to optimize your Quran recitation in Ramadan and potentially complete it.

1. Quran Time: A set time to read is precious and essential to keeping your Quran routine going. Check out what I shared above about breaking down your Quran time into manageable chunks throughout the day.

2. Easy Reading Text: The Quran is available in a variety of font sizes in books and on devices through apps and websites. Select a reading platform that makes recitation more manageable.

3. Tracker: Checking off pages of the Quran on a tracker, as you complete them can help you remember where you are and give a visual of how much reading you (and your partner, if you have one) accomplished.

Use an online tracker, or create your own. There are also digital trackers available on Google Play and iTunes.

4. Family Support: Talk to your partner, kids and anyone living with you about your desire to complete the Quran and let them know what you need from them to help.

5. Quran Reading Partner: This can be so helpful! See what I wrote above.

6. Cozy Seating: Comfortable seating is important for effective reading. Find a comfortable way to sit that will promote effective breathing and recitation for the length of time you desire. It might be sitting on the floor with a Quran stand, at a table in a chair with adequate back support or in a comfy reading seat. You may decide to stand. Just make sure whatever you do improves your ability to read Quran.

7. Keep A Wet Whistle: If you recite outside of fasting hours, have a glass of water, tea or a beverage that will keep your throat moist and prevent irritation. Be mindful of things like caffeine and sugar content. Sucking on a piece of candy or throat lozenge may also help soothe irritation. Read the labels for ingredients and instructions on the proper use of lozenges. Because some lozenges contain medication, check with your doctor if you are pregnant, nursing or have an underlying medical condition.

8. Go Quiet: Sometimes reciting aloud can put a strain on the throat. If you experience a sore throat or go horse, then consider lowering your tone or moving your lips.

Fatimah encourages people not to become discouraged if they don’t read an entire juz one day.

It’s the month of the Quran. Your recitation should be according to your abilities. That may not be an entire juz. Do what you can and enjoy connecting with Allah’s (S) word.”

Well, I’m all vibed up and raring to go! We can develop a great relationship with the Quran in Ramadan with a little planning and determination.