How to Recite the Qur’ân

How to Recite the Qur’ân[1]

Allâh the Most High says:

“And recite the Qur’ân in a slow pleasant tone.”[2]

Therefore, read the Qur’ân slowly for this will help you to understand and ponder over the Qur’ân.

Umm Salamah (radillahu’unha): was asked about the Prophet’s (sallâhu alayhi wa salaam) recitation of the Qur’ân so she replied: “He would break up his reading of the Qur’ân so that he read it verse by verse. [In the name of Allâh – All praise belongs to Allâh Lord of the universe. – The Most Merciful and Beneficent. – Master of the Day of Judgment.][3]

It is preferred that one reads the Qur’ân slowly, beautifying ones voice along with fulfilling the rules of reciting the Qur’ân and not hastening in ones recitation of the Qur’ân. The Prophet (sallâhu alayhi wa salaam) said: “Beautify the Qur’ân with your voices for indeed the melodious voices increase the beauty of the Qur’ân.”[4]

Ibn Mas’ud (radillahu’unhu) said:

“Do not interrupt the reading such that it becomes scattered nor hasten in reading it as is done with poetry, but pause at its miracles and move the heart by it and let not the concern of one of you be to reach the end of the chapter.”[5]

It is not permissible to say at the end of reciting the Qur’ân the following words:

“Allâh has spoken the truth”

Since reciting the Qur’ân is an act of worship and it is not allowed to add to the legislated methods except if it is established from an Islâmic text, and there is nothing to establish saying these words.

The Prophet (sallâhu alayhi wa salaam) heard Ibn Mas’ud read the Qur’ân so when he reached the saying of Allâh: [And We have brought you as a witness over them.] He (sallâhu alayhi wa salaam) said: “Stop” and Ibn Mas’ud did not say: “Allâh has spoken the truth,” and neither was he ordered to do so.

Indeed it is an innovation that leads to the dying away of the Sunnah of making supplication. This is because of the saying of the Prophet (sallâhu alayhi wa salaam) “Whoever reads the Qur’ân then let him ask (supplicate) to Allâh by it.”[6]

Thus the reciter should invoke Allâh by what he wills after he finishes reading the Qur’ân and seek an approach to Allâh by reciting it. For indeed it is from the righteous acts that causes the acceptance ones supplication.

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[1] How to Understand the Qur’an By: Shaikh Muhammad Jameel Zeeno pgs:117-118

[2] Al-Muzzammil:4

[3] Authentic reported by At-Tirmidhee

[4] Authentic reported by Abu Dawud and others.

[5] Reported by Bukhãri

[6] Reported by Tirmidhee  which is Hasan