Etiquette and Virtues of Reading the Quran

It is recommended to be clean and calm, in a quiet place, and to face the qibla if you can. Many people also clean their mouth and wear clean clothes.

The four schools agree that a person without wudu (ablution) may recite from memory. Most scholars say that you should have wudu to touch the mushaf (the printed Quran), based on the verse "none touch it except the purified" (Quran 56:79), while a minority of scholars allow touching it without wudu. Contemporary scholars differ on a phone or tablet screen, and many allow it.

Scholars also differ about reciting in a state of major impurity. The Hanafi, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools say that a person who needs a ghusl (full bath) should wait until after it, while the Maliki school allows a small amount, and some scholars allow more. For a woman in her monthly period, the Maliki school allows recitation, while most scholars of the other schools say that she should not recite the Quran. Many contemporary scholars allow her to recite when she needs to, for example when teaching, studying or protecting what she has memorised. A woman may always make dhikr and dua. If you have a question about your own case, ask a qualified local scholar.

Be kind to the Quran in simple ways. Keep the mushaf in a clean, high place, and do not put things on top of it. When you finish a session, close it with care.

Read for the sake of Allah, to know Him, to be guided and to gain reward. Do not read to show off.

Before you start, seek refuge in Allah from the cursed Shaytan, as Allah teaches in Quran 16:98. Then say bismillah (in the name of Allah) at the start of a surah. The beginning of Surah At-Tawbah is the one place where it is not said.

Renew your intention often. A sincere heart is the first and most important manner of reading the Quran.

Allah told Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to recite the Quran in a slow, measured way (Quran 73:4). Do not rush to finish a large amount. Give each word its right. Anas described the recitation of the Prophet ﷺ as prolonged, with long vowels drawn out properly.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also said to beautify the Quran with your voices. You do not need a perfect voice. Do your best and keep improving.

Allah asks people to think about the Quran. He asks if they do not reflect on it, or if there are locks on their hearts (Quran 47:24). He also says the Quran is a blessed book sent so that people may reflect on its verses and people of understanding may take advice (Quran 38:29).

To practise tadabbur (reflection), try this:

• Pause at a verse that touches you and read its translation again.
• Ask what Allah wants from you in that verse.
• Choose one small action to do that day.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that the Quran is a proof for you or against you. This reminds us that reading must lead to action.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that whoever reads one letter of the Book of Allah receives one good deed, and each good deed is multiplied by ten. He explained that Alif, Lam and Mim are three letters, not one. He also said that the best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it, and that the Quran will come on the Day of Judgement as an intercessor for those who recite it.

When you reach a verse of prostration, you make a sajdah of recitation. Scholars differ on whether it is obligatory or recommended. The Hanafi school says that it is obligatory, while most scholars say that it is a recommended Sunnah, because Umar ibn al-Khattab told the people that whoever does not prostrate has no sin. Say Allahu akbar, prostrate, make dua, and rise. Most scholars say to have wudu and face the qibla, though some allow it without them.