مجالس شهر رمضان
Day Thirteen:
From The Etiquettes Of Reciting The Qur’an
Sheikh Muhammad Bin Saleh Bin ‘Uthaymeen
My brothers: Indeed this Qur’an that is between your hands, that you read, recite, and write, is the words of Allah. It was given to Jibreel one of the noble angels, who revealed to the heart of Muhammad (SAW) so that he may be a warner with a clear Arab tongue. Allah has described the Qur’an with many great and noble descriptions so that we may hold it in high status and respect it.
(The sheikh then mentions many verses which I will not translate)
So all of these noble verses that were and were not mentioned all show how noble the Qur’an is and our obligation to hold it in high status, and to show good manners when reciting it and to keep from making fun or play with it.
Sincerity
From the etiquettes are to make the intention sincerely to Allah (SWT). Because reciting the Qur’an is from the great acts of worship as Allah says, “Call ye, then, upon Allah with sincere devotion to Him.” and “They were not ordered except to worship Allah sincerely with pure monotheism.”
Having Khushoo’
Also, they should read the Qur’an with their mind present, and contemplating what they are reading as well as understanding it. And they should have khushoo’ in their heart, and they should feel that Allah is addressing them directly, because the Qur’an is the words of Allah (SWT).
Preferably Having Wudhoo’
From the etiquettes is that they should recite while they are pure. Because it is respect to the words of Allah (SWT). A person who is impure should purify themselves before they recite the Qur’an. The impure person can make athkar or duas.
Reciting In A Relaxed Place
The Qur’an should not be recited in a place where people are not going to be quiet and listen. Nor should it be recited in a place designed for answering the call of nature. When a person has the desire to recite the Qur’an they should start by seeking refuge from the Shaytaan. As Allah says, “When thou dost read the Qur’an, seek Allah’s protection from Satan the rejected one.” As for reciting the Basmala, this should only be done at the beginning of a surah. With the exception of surata Taubah, which does not have a basmala because the Sahaba differed on whether it was the continuation of surah Al-Anfal so they left out the basmala. If the surah should have had it, then it would be there as Allah says, “We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).”
Reciting Melodiously
The person reciting should also make their voice nice. In the Saheehayn it is narrated by Jabeer bin Mut’am, “I heard the Prophet (SAW) recite surah attur in Maghrib prayer, and I have never heard a better voice or recitation than that of the Prophet (SAW).” If there are some people around the recitor that might get harmed, like a person sleeping or a person praying, then the recitor should use a low voice.
The person should also recite in a measured tone, as Allah (SWT) says, “and recite the Qur’an in slow, measured rhythmic tones.” When a person recites slow that will help them to ponder over what they are reciting. Umm Salama (RA) was asked about the recitation of the Prophet and she said he used to recite it ayah by ayah.
Sajda Tilaawah
They should also make sujood when they come to that point in the surah. Regardless where they are or what time it is, they make takbeer, make sajdah, say subhana Rabe Al ‘Ala, make dua, then get up without takbeer or salaam.
These are some of the etiquettes of reciting the Qur’an, so be sure to take heed of them and try to practice them, and seek the rewards from your Lord.
Month Of The Quran 