After one hundred and twenty-five thousand prophets had graced this world with their presence, Allah almighty blessed the last prophet, Mohammad (P.B.U.H) with Quran. It is the sacred book for Muslims containing stories from history, special commands, and details about life after death.
The Holy Quran is a holy book for Muslims all over the world. It is the word of Allah and the authentic source of power. After the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) left this temporary world, the Holy Qur’an is supposed to guide us through the darkness of life. We refer to the Quran for guidance and instructions in events of uneasiness. We as Muslims believe that it contains instructions for all mankind in general. It is important to understand the etiquettes of reading the Qur’an.
The Holy Quran is equally sacred for Muslims. It is important to make it a part of our everyday lives. Every Muslim man and woman should learn the recitation and meaning of the Qur’an, as soon as they reach adulthood. It will not only benefit us in this material world but also in the life hereafter.
We can learn the Qur’an through conventional learning methods like hiring a Qur’an tutor, joining a Qur’an class, or simply going to the mosque or madrassa in your vicinity. In modern times, Islamic scholars are also making use of technology. You can learn Quran online as well. There are many websites to help you with the learning process.
Keeping in mind the fact that the Holy Qur’an is a sacred book for Muslims. There are several manners you must keep in mind when you start reading this book. In this article, we are going to guide you with the basic etiquettes of reading the Qur’an.
1. Cleanliness and Ablution
The Holy Qur’an cleanses one’s soul and purifies the mind. The first etiquette of handling the Qur’an is performing ablution. In the Muslim culture, the act of purifying oneself before performing religious duties is referred to as ablution or wudhu. It means that you need to be clean from any filth. There are certain steps to perform to complete the wudhu. Wash your hands, feet, face, and mouth. It cleanses the outer of your body.
Apart from ablution, anyone who handles and recites the Qur’an must be in a state of cleanliness. Their clothes must be clean. It is a bonus if the reciter applies ittar before reading the Qur’an. One must follow these etiquettes of handling the Qur’an to get its rewards as promised by Allah Almighty.
2. Select a Respectable Place
When you start reading the Quran, it is preferred to sit in a respectable place. The area must be clean from any griminess. It must be peaceful and quiet, away from any hustle and bustle. You must take special care to be away from any music or anything that is contrary to the teachings of Islam.
The reader must sit in a respectable manner. You can sit on the floor crossing your legs, or on a chair with keeping the Qur’an right in front of you. Place the Qur’an in the dedicated rack used for recitation. You can also use a pillow for this purpose.
3. Begin Recitation
Before you sit down to read the Quran, hold the holy book using your right hand. Allah Almighty has issued special instructions to use the right hand in every blissful action. Begin the recitation with ta’uz and tasmiya. Ta’uz will cast off the devil from your heart and mind as you recite the Qur’an. It is compulsory to recite ta’uz before reading the Qur’an. Reciting tasmiya will shower blessings of Allah on you as you continue with the recitation.
4. Practice Tajweed
When you start learning the holy Qur’an, make an extra effort to read it with tajweed. Memorize the rules of tajweed and practice reading Qur’an with tajweed. Reading with tajweed helps you understand the Qur’an better, and fully grasp its meaning. Reading Qur’an with tajweed also seems pleased to hear and others around you also get involved in this activity.
5. Do not Rush
It is important to keep in mind that one should not rush while reading the Qur’an. There is no need to perform the recitation in a hurry. Read the Qur’an at a slow and leisurely pace. The slow-paced recitation helps you in understanding the holy book better. The reward for reading Qur’an in a slow rhythmic manner is much more near Allah. Try to concentrate on the meaning of the verses as you read through the Arabic.
6. Avoid Doing Worldly Tasks While Reading Qur’an
A very important etiquette of handling the Qur’an is to hold it like the most cherished treasure, with utmost respect and care. Make conscious efforts not to talk to anyone or get involved with any other task while you are reading the Qur’an. The time you are dedicating to the recitation of the Holy Qur’an is meant to be solely for this purpose.
There is great significance in the sacred book of Muslims. The reciter must sit away from any distractions as they read this holy manuscript.
7. Implement the Direction of Qur’an
As you read through the verses of the Holy Qur’an, try to understand the meaning as well. It is not necessary to recite a chapter of the Qur’an every day. It is more important to understand what is written inside it, even if it is a single page at a time. After you have finished reading, dwell on its translation and meaning. Try to read the Tafseer of the verses you have recited.
Try to implement these commandments in your daily life. The Qur’an is the only rule to succeed in this life. It is a prayer that may Allah bless us all with the light to understand the Qur’an and implement it in our daily lives.
8. Being Thankful
After you have finished reading the Holy Qur’an, praise Allah Almighty for this blessing he has bestowed upon us. Indeed Allah is the highest of all ranks and speaks the truth.
Final Word
We have guided you through the basic etiquettes of reading and handling the Holy Qur’an. We hope that you recite the holy book with mindfulness and implement it in our lives to succeed in this world and also in life hereafter.
