The holy month of Ramadan has a special connection with Islam's Divine book, the Quran. This book's divine revelation commenced during Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] would revise the Quran during Ramadan each year with Archangel Gabriel.
It is therefore, recommended that Muslims spend as much of their time as they can with the Quran during Ramadan, in order to refurbish their faith and strengthen their connection with Allah during this spiritually charged month. Since each supererogatory good deed earns manifold reward during Ramadan, spending more time with the Quran will enable a Muslim to increase their cache of good deeds as well.
During Ramadan, a Muslim can connect with the Quran in the following ways:
Recite it:
Reciting the Quran with correct tajweed fills the heart with solace, the soul with peace and the house with blessings. It makes a Muslim feel close to Allah, and alleviates any sorrow or grief, because of its immediate stress-relieving effects. Daily recitation of a few pages of the Quran, especially after Fajr prayer, when the fasting Muslim is fresh and alert, is the best way to get in some attentive recitation.
'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As (may Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet [peace be upon him] said:
"The one who was devoted to the Qur'an will be told on the Day of Resurrection: 'Recite and ascend (in ranks) as you used to recite when you were in the world. Your rank will be at the last Ayah you recite.'''
[Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi]
Read its translation and exegesis:
Reading is one of the most fulfilling pastimes, pursued by millions with zeal. What better to read before siesta, during traveling, or when having to wait somewhere during Ramadan, than the Quran or its explanation? A good understanding of the Quran can be obtained by reading its translation and exegesis/ 'tafsir' [explanation with context] written by an authentic scholar.
Memorize it:
Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [peace be upon him] said:
"He who does not memorize any part from the Qur'an, he is like the ruined house.''
[Tirmidhi]
When a Muslim is fasting, hunger and thirst make his mind to become very alert and extra efficient. Many Muslims will vouch that memorization of the Quran is best achieved during Ramadan. In addition, the parts of the Quran memorized can be easily revised during the long supererogatory night prayers before the Suhoor meals during Ramadan, or whilst staying up for worship during the nights of Qadr.
Listen to it attentively:
Whether it's listening to a tape of Quran recitation, or a lecture explaining the Quran's verses (whilst traveling in the car, working in the office, or cooking in the kitchen), or if it is attending a live class at an institute or mosque (such classes are held daily during Ramadan in most Muslim majority areas), one of the best ways of reflecting upon the Quran is to listen to it intently while someone reads it aloud and explains it. Any student of Islamic knowledge would testify to the "on-high" feeling of enlightenment that follows a Quran class.
Nowadays, many ilminars and Quran classes are transmitted online, via chat software. Therefore, those homemaking Muslim women in particular, who do not work at jobs, listening to the Quran during the days of Ramadan is one of the best ways to cash in on the chance of extra worship and reflection whilst doing chores.
Act upon it:
The Quran should be adhered to in practical life; it is a Book that was sent as guidance for all mankind. Therefore, all other acts of worship related to the Quran would be of little avail; rather, they could actually bear witness against us on the Day of Judgment, if we did not act upon its commands, or did not intend to act upon them, when pursuing its knowledge.
Most Muslims become very close to the Quran during Ramadan, but put it away for the rest of the year. It is important to make sure that our intention of bonding with the Quran during Ramadan is to act upon it in the other months of the year as well, not just earning a maximum of rewards during this month but then going back to our previous ways after it is over.
Teach it to others:
Narrated Uthman Bin 'Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), Allah's Messenger [peace be upon him] said:
"The best among you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it to others."
[Sahih Al-Bukhari]
It sounds very holier-than-thou to say, "I teach the Quran", but in reality, propagating the Quran during Ramadan is as simple as inviting a few sisters over during the day, and reading out its Arabic, translation and exegesis over a period of one or two hours. Everyone can then discuss how to apply what they have learned to their own practical lives.
Shorter surahs of the Book may be covered, or it may be taught chronologically in its entirety. The point is to open up the Quran for da'wah and reflection daily during Ramadan. The benefits of this activity - teaching it to others - outweigh those of reflecting upon it in seclusion in one's home. Muslim men, too, may pursue this activity in the evenings after their day's work is done, during breaks in taraweeh prayer at the mosque.
Enjoy the friendships of your "Ahl-ul-Quran" (the 'family' of the Quran):
The bond that forms between Muslims on the basis of studying the Quran together is indescribable. It is sincere and unworldly love, solely for the sake of Allah; one that transcends petty motives or gains. During Ramadan, Muslims in a neighborhood and community can get together daily to study the Quran, and possibly break their fasts together sometimes as a result, getting better acquainted this way. Eventually, once Ramadan is gone, they will feel their bonds strengthened because of their daily Quran study circle and night worship.
Whilst it is highly recommended to go through the Quran at least once during Ramadan, as the 30 equal portions of the Quran perfectly match the 30 days of Ramadan, for novices or reverts, even small daily doses of the Quran adhered to in one or more of the ways outlined above will work wonders, insha'Allah.