When the Mushaf Feels Heavy: Overcoming Laziness to Read Quran

You’re staring at the bookshelf. Your finger brushes the spine of the Quran, and for a split second, you feel that tug—a reminder that it’s been days, maybe weeks, since you actually opened it. But then, the phone pings. A notification from work, a text from a friend, the looming mountain of laundry. Before you know it, you’re back on the couch, scrolling through feeds, and the moment has passed. The laziness to read Quran isn't just about being busy; it’s a heavy, specific kind of spiritual inertia that keeps you at a distance from the very words that are meant to ground you.

Why Does Your Heart Feel Resistant?

If you’re feeling this way, know that you aren't the only one. When we experience this disconnect, we often assume it’s a lack of time. But usually, it’s a lack of khushu (focus) or a buildup of distractions that have cluttered our inner state. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was deeply concerned about the state of our hearts and how they interact with the revelation.

Arabic: مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَقْرَأُ الْقُرْآنَ وَهُوَ حَافِظٌ لَهُ مَعَ السَّفَرَةِ الْكِرَامِ الْبَرَرَةِ وَمَثَلُ الَّذِي يَقْرَأُ وَهُوَ يَتَعَاهَدُهُ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِ شَدِيدٌ فَلَهُ أَجْرَانِ

Translation: "The one who recites the Quran and is proficient with it will be with the noble, righteous scribes. And the one who reads it with difficulty, and struggles to recite it, he will have two rewards."

Transliteration: Mathalul-ladhi yaqra'ul-Qur'ana wa huwa hafizun lahu ma'as-safaratil-kiramil-bararah, wa mathalul-ladhi yaqra'u wa huwa yata'ahhaduhu wa huwa 'alayhi shadidun falahu ajran.

— Sahih al-Bukhari 4937

This hadith is a lifeline. Notice how the Prophet (PBUH) acknowledges that reading can be shadid—difficult, hard, a struggle. If you find yourself pushing through resistance just to read half a page, you are in the category that receives two rewards: the reward for the recitation and the reward for the sheer effort of showing up when your nafs didn't want to.

Reframing the Struggle

We often treat Quran reading like a chore on a to-do list, somewhere between 'pay electricity bill' and 'respond to emails.' When you approach it as a task, it’s naturally going to feel like a burden. But the Quran is Shifa—a healing. Imagine if you had a chronic headache and you kept avoiding the medicine because it tasted bitter. That’s how we often treat our relationship with the Book of Allah.

Start by lowering the bar. If you’re struggling with laziness to read Quran, don't commit to reading a juz a day. Commit to three verses. That’s it. Three verses while you wait for the kettle to boil, or while you're sitting in the car before you head into the office. Consistency beats intensity every single time. When you make it small, you remove the barrier of entry.

Practical Steps to Build Momentum

1. Change the Environment: Sometimes our physical space is cluttered. Clear a small corner, or even just put your Mushaf on your pillow before you go to sleep so it’s the first thing you see when you wake up.
2. Listen Before You Read: If your eyes are tired, play an audio recitation of the surah you want to read. Listening can soften a hardened heart and make the transition into active reading much smoother.
3. Understand the Why: Try reading a translation for a few minutes. When you understand what Allah is saying to you—when a verse finally clicks and feels like it’s describing your current struggle—the desire to read more naturally follows.

When It Still Feels Like a Chore

There are days when the spiritual weight is heavier than others. You might be distracted by social media, overwhelmed by life, or just feeling spiritually distant. This is when you have to talk to Allah about it. Admit it to Him. "Ya Allah, I feel distant from Your words. My heart feels heavy. Please make it light for me." This honest, vulnerable dua is often the key that unlocks the door to consistency.

Don't let the shaytan convince you that because you haven't read in a while, there's no point in starting now. That is exactly the trap. The best time to pick it up is the moment you realize you’ve been neglecting it.

Reflect

How would you feel if someone you loved dearly sent you letters every single day, and you never opened them? The Quran is Allah’s letter to you. Don't leave it unopened.

May Allah grant our hearts sweetness in His words and make the Quran the light of our chests and the remover of our worries. May He make us of those who are constant in its recitation, even when it is difficult.