7 important Manners of Reciting The Holy Qur’an

By now we know that the Qur’an is a special book and deserves respect. Now let us look at some of the manners of reciting the Qur’an. It is the right of the Tilaawa (recitation of the Qur’an) that we follow the rules when reciting the Qur’an.

1. Perform Wudhoo before you prepare to read the Qur’an. Allah says:

None can touch it (the Qur’an) save the purified ones (56:79).

Once Imam Ja‘far As-Saadiq (a) asked his son Ismaa‘eel to read the Qur’an. The latter said that he was not in Wudhoo. The Imam said in that case he could recite it but should not touch the writings of the Qur’an. Therefore, it is advisable to use a stick or pen to point to the words or sentences of the Qur’an you are reading if you are not in Wudhoo.

2. Read Du‘aa before Tilaawa. Reading of the Du‘aa helps to keep our focus and reminds us of what we need to take from the Holy Book. Ma‘soomeen (a) have recommended a number of Du‘aas. The Du‘aa taught by Imam Ja‘far As-Saadiq (a) appears in this booklet with Qur’an lessons.

3. Always say A‘oodhubillaahi minash shaytaanir rajeem (اَعُوْذُبا اللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيْم) when you begin reading the Qur’an. It means: I seek refuge in Allah from the cursed Shaytaan. This is what Allah instructs us to do in Aayah 16:98.

4. Interact with the Qur’an. Imam Ja‘far As-Saadiq (a) says that it is important to react to the aayaat of the Qur’an when reciting it. When we come across aayaat on Paradise, Mercy and Grace of Allah, Good Outcome in the hereafter, we should hope for these in our hearts. On the other hand if we are reading aayaat that warn us about the punishment, fire, Hell, etc. we should pray to be saved from these.

5. Open your heart and mind to the Qur’an and ponder over what you read. Allah often invites us to think and ponder over the contents of the Qur’an. In 47:24 Allah says:

Do they not then think deeply in the Qur’an, or are their hearts locked up?

6. Be Humble when reciting the Qur’an. The Prophet (S) says that the best recitor is he who is humble when reciting the Qur’an and realizes his own insignificance. Some people exhibit their insignificance and the awe of talking to Allah through weeping. This is a good sign. Prophet Muhammad (S) said: Eyes that weep when reciting the Qur’an will be shining with delight on the Day of Resurrection.

7.Try to understand the recitation. Holy Qur’an is a book of Guidance (2:2). It is necessary for us to understand the message Allah sent all people through Prophet Muhammad (S).