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1-Preserved in Arabic word-for-word, without any alterations for over 1400 years, as revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

2-Most read, studied and recited ancient text.

3-Directly revealed from God, via Angel Gabriel, to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

4-Only ancient religious text where the language of its revelation (Arabic), including the dialect, is still used today.

5-The only religious text that allows you to test its authenticity, if you doubt that it is from God, by challenging anyone to produce anything equal to it. Until today, no Muslim or non-Muslim Arab has been able to meet this challenge. (Get a copy of the Qur’an and see for yourself.) Link this to orderaquran or sendaquran.

6-Only text that has a melodious message.

7-The original ancient manuscript still remains today.

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).

The first lesson is about the importance of the Holy Qur’an. The Qur’an is the Book of Allah subhaanahu wa ta‘aalaa. Every word in the Qur’an has come from Allah. That is why we say that it is a Holy Book. The words in the Qur’an were sent by Allah to Prophet Muhammad sallal-laahu ‘alayhi wa-aalihi wa sallam. The Prophet (S) received the words of Allah through angel Jibra’eel. This Qur’an is a Holy Book that was not written by anyone but sent by Allah to Prophet Muhammad (S) through Jibra’eel.

1. It is the most truthful speech: Prophet Muhammad (S) regularly read the words of Allah to Muslims around him. These Muslims were very pleased and excited to receive the words of Allah. Prophet Muhammad (S) said: The most truthful speech, the most eloquent advice, and the greatest stories are in the Book of Allah. The Muslims listened carefully to what the Prophet read, memorized the sentences and passages of the Qur’an, recited them regularly and followed the teachings of the Qur’an. In order to preserve the words of Allah the Prophet appointed special people known as “Scribes of the Qur’an” to write down the words of Allah.

2. It is in original language: Prophet Muhammad (S) was an Arab and the majority of people in Mecca and Medina spoke Arabic. Therefore the Qur’an was sent in Arabic. Arabic is written from right to left. It is better to learn to read the Qur’an in its original language. Therefore, we will put efforts to learn Qur’an written in Arabic instead of simply reading its translation in other languages.

3. The Holy Qur’an contains Allah’s message to all people. It tells people how to act correctly. It guides us to a correct way of life in this world. The Book of Allah also talks about life after death. It tells us that Allah has prepared Paradise for good people and Hell for bad people. The Qur’an encourages the worship of only one God Who creates and provides for them. The Book forbids people from evil and condemns those who do wrong. It contains stories of the past Prophets and the examples of bad and good people. People are advised in the Qur’an to be good to others and respect them. It teaches people to live in peace and harmony.

4. Qur’an brings happiness in this world and the Hereafter. Following the Qur’an brings happiness in this world and the world after death. The Prophet (S) said: If you desire the life of the fortunate, the death of a martyr, the salvation on the Day of Regret and the shade on the Day of Extreme Heat, then you should study the Qur’an because it is the word of the Merciful, a sanctuary from Shaytaan and a causes the tilting of the Balance. In another Hadith we read that the Prophet (S) has said: The recitor of the Qur’an will be spared from the calamities of the Hereafter.

5. It is the only Divine book that has remained unchanged. Allah sent the Qur’an to His Prophet. A book sent by Allah to people is known as a Divine Book or a Heavenly Book. Other Divine Books were also sent to previous prophets. These are: Suhoof to Prophet Ibraheem ‘alayhis salaam; Zaboor to Prophet Dawood ‘alayhis salaam; Tawraah to Prophet Moosaa ‘alayhis salaam; and Injeel to Prophet ‘Eisaa ‘alayhis salaam.

The difference between the Qur’an and past revealed books is that the Qur’an is the only Divine Book that has remained unaltered. The Qur’an we have with us contains exactly the same message that was sent to Prophet Muhammad by Allah through Jibra’eel.

6. Our supplications get answered if we were to pray after reading the Holy Qur’an. The Prophet (S) said: One who starts the Qur’an and finishes it, Allah will grant him one answered supplication. It also helps in strengthening our faith. Imam Ali (a) said: Reciting the Qur’an plants the seed of faith.

7. The Qur’an is the best companion. It can be of great help when a child or adult is feeling lonely. Imam Ali Zaynul ‘Aabideen (a) said: If all who live between the East and West perish, I will have no fear as long as I have the Qur’an with me.

An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Qur’an. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.

One day the grandson asked, “Grandpa! I try to read the Qur’an just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur’an do?”

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, ”Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.”
The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, ”You’ll have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, ”I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water.

You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would Leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, ”See Grandpa, it’s useless!”

”So you think it is useless?” The old man said, ”Look at the basket.”
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

”Son, that’s what happens when you read the Qur’an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives.”

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says: ”The one who guides to good will be rewarded equally.”

Source: islamiclife.com