10 Manners of Reading the Quran

Key Takeaways

Ritual purity (Wudu) is a strongly recommended condition before touching or reciting the Quran, according to the majority of scholars.

Seeking refuge in Allah by reciting Ta’awwudh before beginning recitation is obligatory according to the Quran itself (Surah An-Nahl 16:98).

Reciting with Tajweed — proper pronunciation and articulation rules — is an obligation, not an optional refinement, per classical Tajweed scholarship.

Choosing a clean, quiet, and respectful environment for recitation directly reflects the reverence the Quran deserves as the Word of Allah.

Reflecting on meanings (Tadabbur) during recitation transforms Quran reading from verbal exercise into an act of worship that nourishes the heart.

Reading the Quran is not merely an act of literacy — it is an act of worship that carries specific etiquette established by the Prophet ﷺ, his Companions, and generations of Islamic scholars. Observing these manners is part of honoring Allah’s Book as it deserves.

The 10 manners of reading the Quran include ritual purity, proper intention, seeking Allah’s protection, reciting with Tajweed, reflecting on meanings, and maintaining reverence throughout. Together, they elevate recitation from routine to genuine ‘ibadah.

1. Purifying Yourself with Wudu 

The majority of Islamic scholars hold that being in a state of Wudu (ritual purity) before reading the Quran from memory or from a phone is strongly recommended. You also have to know that being in a state of Wudu before touching the Mushaf is obligatory. This ruling is grounded in the verse:

لَّا يَمَسُّهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلْمُطَهَّرُونَ

Lā yamassuhu illal-muṭahharūn

“None touch it except the purified.” (Al-Waqi’ah 56:79)

This verse is cited by classical scholars as evidence for the requirement of purity when handling the Quran.

Reciting from memory without Wudu is generally permitted, though many scholars recommend maintaining purity even then out of reverence. 

In our sessions at Buruj Academy, we always remind students that Wudu is not a bureaucratic requirement — it is a spiritual transition that prepares the heart and body to receive Allah’s words.

Read also: How to Do Sajdah When Reading Quran

2. Making a Sincere Intention 

Before opening the Mushaf, a clear intention (Niyyah) to recite for the sake of Allah — not habit, performance, or distraction — is what determines whether the act earns reward. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will get the reward according to what he intended.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1)

This intention does not need to be spoken aloud. It is a matter of the heart. We encourage students at Buruj Academy to pause for a brief moment before recitation — even five seconds — to consciously remind themselves: “I am reading the words of my Lord.” That pause changes everything about the quality of attention that follows.

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3. Seeking Refuge in Allah Before Reciting 

Reciting the Ta’awwudh — أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ (A’ūdhu billāhi minash-shayṭānir-rajīm) — before beginning recitation is not optional. Allah directly commands it:

فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ

Fa-idhā qara’tal-Qur’āna fasta’idh billāhi minash-shayṭānir-rajīm

“So when you recite the Quran, seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the expelled.” (An-Nahl 16:98)

Following the Ta’awwudh with the Basmala — بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ — at the beginning of each Surah (except At-Tawbah) is the established Sunnah. These two acts are among the etiquettes of reciting the holy Quran that should never be skipped.

Read also: Hadith About Reading Quran with Tajweed

4. Choosing a Clean and Respectful Environment Honors the Quran’s Sanctity

The place of recitation matters. Scholars across all madhabs agree that the Quran should not be recited in bathrooms, places of noise and distraction, or environments of heedlessness. 

A clean, quiet space — ideally facing the Qiblah — creates the conditions for focused, meaningful recitation.

This is one of the most commonly overlooked things to do before reading the Quran. Many students we work with initially read on public transport or during background noise without realizing that their ability to maintain Khushu’ (presence of heart) is directly undermined by their environment.

If you are building consistent recitation habits, pairing this with a structured approach helps. Our article on reading the Quran for the first time addresses how beginners can set up both environment and routine from the very start.

5. Reciting with Tajweed 

Tarteel means reciting at a measured pace with correct articulation of every letter from its proper Makhraj (articulation point), with its full Sifat (attributes). 

Rushing through recitation without attention to Makharij and Sifat — particularly the distinction between heavy (Tafkhim) and light (Tarqiq) letters — is among the most common errors we observe in new students.

Reading Quran with Tajweed is not mandatory as long as you avoid lahn jali — errors that distort letter forms or change meaning. Lahn jali (major mispronunciation changing meaning) is haram to commit deliberately when one has the ability to learn and correct it.

Tajweed is mustahabb (recommended) for beautifying recitation; learning it is fard kifayah (communal obligation) upon the Muslim community.

If you are building your Tajweed foundation, Buruj Academy’s Tajweed for Beginners course teaches proper articulation from the ground up, guided by Ijazah-certified instructors and Al-Azhar University graduates with 12+ years of experience teaching non-Arabic speakers. You can also start with our guide on Tajweed for beginners to understand what the learning path looks like.

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6. Reciting Aloud at an Appropriate Volume Balances Sincerity and Benefit

The Sunnah supports reciting the Quran at a volume that benefits the reciter without disturbing others. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The one who recites the Quran aloud is like one who gives charity openly.” (Sunan Abi Dawud 1333)

Both silent and audible recitation are valid and carry reward. However, scholars emphasize that reciting aloud — even softly — helps the reciter hear their own Tajweed errors, maintain focus, and avoid the wandering of the mind that silent recitation sometimes invites.

Among the things to do before reading the Quran is deciding on a volume that matches your context: private recitation at home warrants a clearer voice, while recitation in a shared space should be considerate of those around you. 

What not to do while reading the Quran is to recite so loudly that it disturbs others or — conversely — to rush through silently with no engagement whatsoever.

7. Reflecting on the Meanings of the Quran (Tadabbur)

Tadabbur — deep reflection on the meanings of Quranic verses — is the purpose that lies beneath the surface of every recitation. Allah repeatedly calls believers to it:

أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ

Afalā yatadabbarūnal-Qur’ān

“Then do they not reflect upon the Quran?” (An-Nisa 4:82)

Many students fall into the habit of completing their daily portion (Hizb or Juz’) without pausing to engage with what they are reciting. This is understandable — Tajweed itself demands significant attention — but it must not become a permanent mode of recitation.

We recommend a simple practice: pause at verses of mercy and silently ask Allah, pause at verses of warning and seek His protection. This is not a disruption to recitation — it is the recitation fulfilling its purpose. 

As students progress through Buruj Academy’s Quran Recitation Course, instructors gradually introduce Tafsir notes to help students begin connecting sound to meaning in a structured way.

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8. Observing Physical Etiquette During Recitation 

The etiquette of physical conduct during recitation — is a distinct category that classical scholars addressed in detail. Four components form its core: facing the Qiblah, sitting in a dignified posture, reciting from the Mushaf where possible, and refraining from unnecessary speech or distraction during the session.

A. Facing the Qiblah During Recitation Is a Mark of Reverence

Facing the Qiblah during recitation is not obligatory, but it is among the most highly recommended physical etiquettes. It aligns the body with the direction of worship and reinforces the awareness that Quran recitation is directed toward Allah.

B. Sitting with Dignified Posture Honors the Act of Recitation

Sitting upright, calmly, and with composure — rather than reclining casually or shifting constantly — is the recommended posture during recitation. The Quran is the speech of Allah, and the body’s stillness and uprightness is an outward expression of the heart’s attention. This does not mean recitation while walking or lying down is impermissible — scholars permit it — but intentional seated recitation carries greater respect and focus.

C. Reciting from the Mushaf Carries Its Own Distinct Reward

Reciting directly from the written Mushaf — rather than solely from memory — is considered a separate act of worship by many scholars, as the eyes engage with the written words of Allah alongside the tongue.

D. Avoiding Speech and Distraction Preserves the Integrity of the Session

Interrupting recitation for unnecessary conversation, checking devices, or engaging in idle activity is among what not to do while reading the Quran. If speech is necessary — answering a greeting (Salam), responding to a question of importance — it is permissible to pause, address the need, then resume with Ta’awwudh. What scholars consistently emphasize is intentionality: the session of Quran recitation should have a clear beginning and a clear, respectful end.

9. Interacting with Quranic Verses Actively Brings Recitation to Life

Active engagement with the content of each verse is one of the most spiritually transformative and practically specific etiquettes of Quran recitation. The Prophet ﷺ modeled this directly in his own recitation, and it is confirmed in authentic Hadith.

The Prophet ﷺ would pass a verse of mercy and make Du’a, pass a verse of punishment and seek Allah’s protection.

Verse Type	Recommended Response
Verses of Mercy (Rahman / Jannah)	Ask Allah for His mercy — silently or aloud
Verses of Punishment (Adhab / Jahannam)	Seek Allah’s protection — recite Ta’awwudh
Verses of Glorification (Tanzih / Tasbih)	Glorify Allah — say SubhanAllah or Subhana Rabbiya al-A’la

In our experience at Buruj Academy, students who begin practicing Tafa’ul ma’al-Ayat (active interaction with verses) report a profound shift in how they experience recitation — it stops feeling like a reading exercise and begins feeling like a conversation with Allah. This is one of the etiquettes of reciting the holy Quran that no Tajweed rule can replace, because it is entirely a matter of the heart’s engagement.

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10. Prostrating at Verses of Sajdah Demonstrates Active Submission During Recitation

There are 15 positions in the Quran (according to the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools; 14 according to the Hanafi school) where a verse of prostration (Ayat as-Sajdah) occurs. Upon reciting or hearing these verses, performing Sajdah at-Tilawah (prostration of recitation) is a confirmed Sunnah.

This act is a physical expression of the recitation’s effect — the body follows the heart into submission before Allah. The Prostration requires Wudu, facing the Qiblah, and saying اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ upon going down and rising. Among the etiquettes of reciting the holy Quran, this is one that many non-Arabic speaking Muslims are unfamiliar with until it is pointed out by a teacher.

Among what not to do while reading the Quran is to pass over Ayat as-Sajdah without acknowledgment — particularly in communal or teaching settings where the listener’s right to be informed of the prostration applies.

What Are the Things You Should NOT Do While Reading the Quran?

Several behaviors are specifically discouraged — or prohibited — during Quran recitation by the scholars. These represent the flip side of the 10 manners above.

What to Avoid	Scholarly Reasoning
Reciting in a state of major ritual impurity (Janabah)	Prohibited by consensus
Touching the Mushaf without Wudu	Impermissible according to majority
Reciting in bathrooms or impure places	Disrespectful to the sanctity of the Quran
Talking during recitation without necessity	Breaks the focus and reverence of the session
Rushing recitation without Tajweed	Violates the obligation of Tarteel
Laughing, joking, or being distracted	Contrary to Khushu’ and proper etiquette

Understanding what not to do while reading the Quran is as important as the positive manners themselves. Both sides form the complete etiquette framework that classical scholars like Imam An-Nawawi outlined in their works on Quran recitation etiquette.

Begin Your Quran Recitation Journey with Buruj Academy’s Expert Instructors

Observing the proper manners of Quran recitation is a lifelong practice — one that deepens with every lesson, correction, and moment of genuine reflection. 

At Buruj Academy, our Online Quran Recitation Course and Online Tajweed Classes are designed to build not just technical accuracy but the reverence and consistency that transforms recitation into worship.

Our Ijazah-certified instructors and Al-Azhar University graduates bring 12+ years of experience teaching non-Arabic speaking Muslims globally. 

Every session is a personalized 1-on-1 online class with real-time correction, flexible scheduling, and a structured progression plan tailored to your level.

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Book your free trial lesson today and recite the Quran the way it deserves to be recited — beautifully, accurately, and with full presence of heart.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Manners of Reading the Quran