Manners of Reading the Quran

Affaf Jamal lists valuable guidelines for making the most of your Quran reading experience

• Be careful when you handle this holy book. Remember, it is not an ordinary book. We need to do the following for giving to the glorious Quran its due respect:
• Before you begin reciting from the Quran, seek refuge with Allah (swt) from the Satan, by saying – ‘Aoodhu Billahi Minashaitanir Rajim.’
• Take Allah (swt)’s name, before you begin to read, by saying – ‘Bismillah.’
• Try your best to be in the state of Wudu, when reciting from the Quran, and sit in a clean place.
• Begin reading with a clear intention of seeking only Allah (swt)’s pleasure, not any other worldly gain.
• Turn the pages gently and slowly to the required page. It is best, if you use a bookmark at the place you finished last, so that there is no unnecessary flipping of pages.
• Maintain humility, tranquility, and respect, while reading the Quran.
• Read the Quran in a moderate voice.
• Read the verses with short pauses in between.
• Be careful about the Makharij (pronunciation of the letters). Give every letter its due right.
• Read the Quran attentively, calmly, and sincerely.
• Ponder over the words of the Quran and make efforts to act upon them.
• Be grateful, when the verses of Shukr (being grateful) are mentioned and seek refuge with Allah (swt), when asked.
• Listen quietly and attentively, when the Quran is being read.
• Do not put the Quran on the floor or near a person’s feet.
• Do not leave the Quran open, when not being used, or turn it face down on the table.
• Do not step over the Quran, if it is lying on the ground or at a low level, such as a prayer mat.
• Do not use the Quran as a support to write on.
• Do not place things on the top of the Quran.
• Do not scribble unnecessary things on the pages of your Quran.
• Do not touch the Quran with dirty hands.
• Make sure you keep the Quran out of the reach of children that may tear its pages.
• Do not eat, while reading from the Quran.
• Sit in a proper, respectable position when reading it.
• Try not to talk in between, while reciting from the Quran.
• Keep the Quran in a clean place.
• Learn as much as you can about the Quran by reading an authentic translation in the language of your preference.
• Keep the Quran within your reach and in sight.
• Let no day pass, without reading or reciting from the Quran.