Starting with Al-Fatihah and ending with An-Nas, the Holy Quran is the fourth and final heavenly manuscript revealed by Allah Almighty. It was revealed upon Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.P.B.U.H.) in parts over 23 years. Muslims turn to reading the Holy Quran when they face any difficulty as it has the answer for every problem and guidance for life. It is indeed a book like no other. The language of Allah. The speech of eternity, in which life, death, and life after death are revealed. Therefore, reading the Holy Book deserves a lot more careful study and etiquette. Let’s talk about them one by one. Let’s discuss the manners of reading the Holy Quran properly.
Manners of Reading the Holy Quran effectively
The Holy Quran holds a position of dignity in the Islamic faith as the literal word of God delivered through the Prophet Muhammad. Its recitation reflects devotion, dedication, and respect for divine revelation. We must Read the Holy Quran with utmost respects , and follow the following manners :
Sincerity & Clear Intentions
The first and most important thing while reading the Holy Quran is sincerity and reading from a pure heart. It is a basic condition for any deed to be accepted by Allah (S.W.T.S.W.T.).
You should recite the Quran only to seek reward and pleasure from the lord, not for showing off or worldly gain.
The State of Purity and Serenity
Before reciting the Quran:
- Physical Purity: Ensure you’re in a state of cleanliness (wudu). This includes body, clothes, and place of recitation
- Serenity and Respect: Approach the Quran with tranquility, humbleness, and respect
Observe Cleanliness and Wadu For Reading the Holy Quran
The pre-requisite of reading the Quran is cleanliness and doing Wadu (Ablution).
It means that your clothes and body should be clean, and you should perform ablution before reciting the Quran. Cleanliness is called “Half of Faith” by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.P.B.U.H.).
Place the Quran Above
The Holy Book of Allah deserves a lot of respect. So, keeping it in the lap while reading is not recommended. Placing the Holy Quran on the floor is disgraceful and considered a sin.
The best practice is placing the Quran on a neat, clean pillow. A special table for reading the Quran is also a good choice. You should consider one.
Reflection and Contemplation
During recitation:
- Understand the Message: Try to understand and ponder the message ingrained within each verse
- Recite Slowly: Do not rush with the recitation. Recite at a moderate pace to internalize each word.
Hold in the Right Hand
Always remember the book you’re reading is not an ordinary book. It is the greatest book in the world and heaven, the book of the Lord.
With utmost love and respect, you should hold the Holy Quran in your right hand, as it is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.P.B.U.H.).
Read “Tauz” And “Tasmia” Before Reciting
Reciting the Holy Quran requires great concentration. Since Satan is always there to distract the reciter, the best practice is to recite two duas called “Tauz” and “Tasmia” before you start reciting.
- Tauz: “Audhu Billahi mina-Shaitan-nir-Rajeem” (I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the Accursed.)
- Tasmia: “Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim” (In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate.)
If you are reciting any Surah from the middle, start with “Tauz” only; if starting from the beginning of the Surah, read both “Tauz” and “Tasmia.”
Recite in a Beautiful Tone
While reciting the Holy Quran, you should remember that you are reading the manuscript of the lord. So, you should beautify your tone and loud voice while reading the Quran.
However, you should not exaggerate the beautification of the voice in reciting the Quran to the point of violating the rules of Tajweed, as it is forbidden.
Likewise, you should not read the Quran in one go. Read every ayah slowly to better comprehend its meaning and connect with what is being said.
Observe Tajweed Regulations
Since Arabic is a very complex language, any error in pronunciation could change its true meaning. The holy Quran must be recited carefully regarding its correct pronunciation and Tajweed.
Tajweed refers to knowledge of the rules of recitation and their application when reading the Holy Quran. It explains that every letter should be given its rightful place in its meaning.
It covers guidelines on how Quranic Arabic letters should be pronounced, where to stop during recitation, where to not, where to pause, where to prolong pronunciation, and more. Some rules of tajweed are
- Articulation of Letters: Accurate pronunciation and articulation of each Arabic letter are essential.
- Emphasis: Pay attention to the letters that need emphatic pronunciation.
- Prolongation (Madd): Certain words require the reader to prolong the vowel sound.
An online Quran academy like Quranforkids.com can help you learn how to correctly read the Quran with Tajweed rules.
Importance of reading the Quran with Tajweed
Tajweed is the set of rules that govern the pronunciation of the Quran. It is important to read the Quran with Tajweed because it helps to preserve the meaning of the Quran and to make it more beautiful to listen to.
Tajweed is a complex subject, but there are some basic rules that everyone can learn. For example, it is important to pronounce each letter of the Arabic alphabet correctly and to observe the pauses and stops in the Quranic text.
There are many resources available to help you learn Tajweed. You can find books, websites, and videos on the subject. You can also take Tajweed classes from a qualified teacher.
Prostrate Before the Lord
There are 14 verses in the Quran where the reciter and listener are asked to prostrate (doing Sajdah) after reading.
It is Farz (abolish) on both the reciter and the listener to prostrate. They can perform Sajdah right after the end of that blessed verse or any time later.
Avoid Talking While Reading the Holy Quran
While reciting the Holy Book, it is important not to fall into distractions or to talk to anyone. It is disgraceful for the Holy Book to pause its recitation just for the worldly matter.
However, you can complete a verse and close the book before continuing if you have to discuss something important. Also, it is compulsory to pause reciting the Holy Quran when one hears the voice of Azaan.
Place the Quran at a Safe Place after Finishing
It is important to keep the Quran in a safe place because someone might step over it unwillingly. Ensure it is kept away from children, pets, and anyone who does not understand the book’s greatness.
Pronunciation Tips for Reading the Holy Quran properly
Clear pronunciation is pivotal when reciting the Quran. Let’s familiarize ourselves with some important pronunciation tips:
Correct Articulation of Letters
Arabic letters originate from specific parts of the mouth and throat. Being familiar with these origin points can help you pronounce words correctly.
Understanding Nunation and Tanween
Nunation, also known as Tanwīn (تَنْوِينٌ), refers to the addition of an extra “نْ” sound at the end of a noun (اِسْمٌ). They impact the meaning of the words and, thus, need explicit attention.
Emphasizing Soft and Hard Letters
The distinction between soft and hard letters in Arabic brings different meanings. For example, ‘seen’ (س) and ‘saad’ (ص) produce different sounds and meanings.
Vowel Movements and Morphological Changes
Morphological changes occur due to short vowels (‘harakaat’) and diacritics in Arabic. Understanding them is key to reciting Quranic verses accurately.
Recitation of the Quran in Modern Context
Public Recitation and Respect
In today’s fast-paced life, listening to Quran recitations in public spaces is common through mobile devices. Prefer to use earphones to ensure others’ comfort and privacy while you indulge in this divine act.
Use of Technology for Reading the Holy Quran
Leverage apps that help non-Arabic Muslims understand and recite the Quran correctly. Opt for apps offering transliteration, translation, pronunciation guides, and recitation by Qaris.
Overcoming Barriers to Reading the Holy Quran
Here are some common barriers and their possible solutions:
- Linguistic Limitations: For non-Arabs, understanding the Arabic language nuances can be challenging. Opt for language classes or use online resources for assistance.
- Lack of time: Allocate a specific time each day for Quran recitation. Prioritize consistency over quantity.
- Lack of Motivation: Read about the rewards of reciting the Quran to nurture motivation.
Importance of making an intention before reading the Quran
Making an intention before reading the Quran is important because it helps the reader to focus on the Quran and to read it for the sake of Allah. When you make an intention, you are setting your heart and mind on a specific goal. In this case, your goal is to read the Quran to please Allah and to learn more about His guidance.
To make an intention before reading the Quran, simply say something like this: “I intend to read the Quran to please Allah and to learn more about His guidance.” You can also make a more specific intention, such as intending to read a certain number of verses or to read a certain chapter or surah.
Importance of understanding the Quran
It is important to try to understand the Quran that you are reading. This can be done by reading translations of the Quran, listening to tafsir lectures, and discussing the Quran with others.
Reading translations of the Quran can help you to understand the general meaning of the text. Listening to tafsir lectures can help you to understand the deeper meaning of the Quran and to learn about the different interpretations of the Quran. Discussing the Quran with others can help you to learn more about the Quran and to deepen your understanding of it.
Tips of reading the Holy Quran effectively.
- Visual Demonstration For Reciting Quran: Visual guides are instrumental for effective Quran recitation. Watch online video tutorials from Muslim scholars or Qaris to understand the correct posture, pronunciation, and rhythm.
- Practical Exercises and Tracking Progress
- Creating a personal practice regime can be beneficial:
- Start with short Surahs: Begin by reciting short Surahs from Juz 30. Gradually move to longer Surahs.
- Allocate specific time: Consistent, daily recitation, even if brief, can be more beneficial than reciting for longer periods occasionally.
- Track Progress: Maintain a recitation journal. Note the Surahs you recited, the difficulties you faced, and how you overcame them.
Final Words
These are important manners and etiquette of reading the Holy Quran. You should consider all these points before and while reciting the Holy Quran.
If you are an overseas parent concerned about your kids’ Quranic teachings, consider enrolling them in online Quran classes. Quran for Kids is our best recommendation, as the academy offers one-on-one online Quran classes worldwide.
May Allah make us of those who treat His Book with the utmost respect, love, and care!
Ameen.
