The Etiquette of Reciting the Holy Qur’an

Source: Ain-al-Hayat, By: Allama Muhammad Baqir Majlisi
Qir-at or recitation of the Qur’an has one basic requirement, that is, the Tarteel or the distinct intonation and pronunciation of the words. While reciting one has to keep in mind the fasl {division) and wasl (joining) of words and sentences.
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) has said that Tarteel is delivering words according to their Makharij (outlets for sound or intonations). Uttering the words clearly and slowly and reciting with understanding and uttering the contents correctly is of prime importance. One should not recite the Qur’an with such speed that it might become incomprehensible and bore the listener. Neither the recitation be so slow that it takes long time and puts the listeners off. “Khair al umoore ausatha” or it is better to follow the middle path.
The other important aspect of the recitation is the reading with understanding and thought. One should keep his eyes on the meanings of the Qur’an. While reciting the verses about Allah’s Blessings, one should seek Astaghfar (Allah’s Help and Foregiveness).
Imam Ar-Ridha’ (as) used to recite the Qur’an with feelings and tears. He used to cry when reference to the Heaven and Hell came during the reading of the Book. At these points he used to seek Allah’s Help. When the Imam (as) recited the verse Qul huwallahu ahad, he used to say Kadhalik Allahu Rabbi three times. Similarly after reciting the verse Qul ya ayyuhal kaferoon in the prayer, the Imam used to say Rabbi Allaho Deenalislam three times. After reciting the verse Wat-teene wazaitune Imam Ar-Ridha’ (as) used to say bala wa ana zaalika min al shahedeen. On reciting the verse Ala uqsimo beyoumilqiyamah the Imam (as) said Subhanaka Allahumma Balah. On reciting Sura al-Fateha the Imam (as) said Alhamdu lillahe Rab al Aalemeen. Whenever the Imam (as) came across the words ya ayyuhal lazeena aamanu during the recitation of the Qur’an he would say slowly the words Labbaek Allahumma labbaek.
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) said that whenever one recited In Allaha malaekatahu yusalloona alan-nabi…. It should be followed by benediction (durood) whether during the prayers or while at the session of recitation. He said that after reciting the verse wat-teen one should say Nahnu ala zalika min al shahedeen.
Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) used to say deenilislam alaihi ahya-an wa alaihi amwaatu insha Allah after reciting the verse Qul ya ayyuhal kaferoon.
Imam Zain-ul-’Abidin (as) has said: If a person wishes to converse with Allah, he should recite the Qur’an. When he comes to the passages where Allah addresses the people, he should say labbaek Allahumma labbaek and in the passages where Allah addresses the Prophet (S) or the people of the earlier times, he should feel that the communication is for his own benefit only. When he reads about the spread of victuals of the Heaven in the Qur’an, he should draw pleasure from the very thought of the delicacies. He should visualise that his Friend has made the spread for him. Sometimes Allah recounts His most superior qualities of Beneficence and Sustenence in the Qur’an, and at other places He talks of the unfathomable treasures of knowledge.
Thus Allah recounts his innumerable Bounties to His creatures in the Book and shows them the way of happiness and pleasure. He promises them a place in the Heaven and also warns them of the Hellfire. The gathering for the recitation of the Qur’an is the most wonderful gathering. In this gathering Allah is the Host and the courtiers the Prophets and their Vicegerents (as). How could one not be happy in such a gathering! Due respect for such a gathering is very important. One should therefore purify oneself with ablution (Wadu) is necessary.

About Isti’adha: Seeking Allah’s Protection from the Satan
Before commencing the recitation of the Holy Qur’an one should do Isti’adha or seek the protection of Allah against the machination of the Satan. For this one should say Aa-uzu billahi. This has been mandated by the Qur’an.
There are two ways of doing the Isti’adha. The first is saying, ‘Aa-uzu billahi min al shaitan ir rajeem’ and the second is ‘Aa-uzu billahi samiul aleem min al shaitan ir rajeem’. According to some other traditions, one should say ‘Aa-uzu billahi min al shaitan ir rajeem in Allaha huwal fattahul aleem.’ But the first two methods of seeking Allah’s Help to ward off the Satan are very much in vogue.

Facing the Kaaba or Qibla While Reciting the Qur’an
It is advised to face the Kaaba while reciting the Qur’an, be it in loneliness or in congregation. One should not sit at the back of anyone while reciting the Qur’an.

About Khatam al-Qur’an or Finishing a Recitation of the Holy Book
One person told to Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) that he used to complete the recitation of the Qur’an in a single sitting in the night. (Abu Baseer).
The Imam (as) said, “It is better if you do one complete recitation of the Qur’an in one month. Qur’an should be recited with tarteel or slowly with proper pronunciation and punctuation. The reading should be such that the words are comprehensible to the reciter and the listener. Whenever there is mention of the Heaven in the Qur’an, the reciter should seek Allah’s help for his deliverence. Similarly when the Hell is mentioned, he should seek deliverence.One should recite the Qur’an more during the Holy month of Ramadan.”
‘Ali bin Mugheera asked Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as), “My father asked your ancestor, the Prophet of Islam (S) about completing a recitation of the Qur’an in one night. The Prophet said (S), ‘Yes! It can be done!’” Then Bin Mugheera said, “My father used to complete forty recitations of the Qur’an or even more during the month of Ramandan. I follow the same practice and on Idd al Fitr I complete one recitation to felcitate Holy Prophet (S), one for Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as), one for Lady Fatima Zahra (as) and one each as tribute to each of the Holy Imams (as). This is my practice from the beginning and what Reward I could get for this? Will it be entered in the account of my deeds?”
The Imam (as) said, “Because of this practice Allah will treat you with these Infallible persons on the Day of Judgement!” Bin Jaseem was astonished and said, “Is there so much reward for an insignificant person like me?”
The Imam (as) said thrice, “Yes, yes, yes!”

The Reward for Learning, Teaching and Memorising the Qur’an
Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) has said one whose memory is weak should learn the Qur’an with more practice. Allah will give him more reward. The Qur’an should be recited in a good tone but not with rhythm.
It is not good for a person to memorise the Qur’an and forget it. The verses that he had memorized, and forgotten, will salute the reciter in the Heaven from an elevated place by saying,’ Salam alaik’. The person would respond to the greeting and ask who they were and why they were greeting him from that distanceThey will reply that they were the verses of the Qur’an that he had memorised and didn’t care to retain in his memory. If he had tyaken care to retain the memory, he would have been in the higher echelons of the Heaven with them!
The Prophet of Allah (S) said, “A person who memorises the Qur’an and purposely forgets it will be raised on the Day of Judgement in a manner that his hands will be tied to his neck. For every verse that he had forgotte Allah would impose a snake on his body and he will be consigned to the Hell.”
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) said that when Allah wants to send his curse and retribution to a people who have been sinning very much and finds that amongst the evil persons there are some people who offer prayers and some children are reciting the Qur’an, he puts away the Retribution.

The Benefits of Reciting the Qur’an
Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) has said that Qur’an is a Commandment of Allah for His creatures. Therefore it is the bounden duty of every Muslim to study the Qur’an with deep thought.
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) has said that a house where the Qur’an is recited the angels would descend there and the Satan flees away from the precincts. The house where the Qur’an is recited appears like a star to the people of the Firmament.
Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as) said, “A person who recites the Qur’an while standing will get reward equal to fifty good deeds. If a person seeks succor against his enemies from the Qur’an with true spirit, he will be safe from the adversaries. However strong the enemy might be!”
It is narrated by Bashir bin Ghalib that Imam Husayn (as) said, “When a person recites the verses of the Qur’an while standing, Allah will reward equivalent of ten good deeds for every word recited. If someone listens to the recitation with intent, he will get one good deed recorded in his account for every word that he listens to. If a person completes the recitation over-night in one sitting, in the morning the angels say his praises.
If a person completes the recitation during a day, the angels praise him and one of his wishes that he makes after completing the recitation would be fulfilled. The Reward for completing the recitation of the Qur’an is better than the reward for any other good deeds.” The narrator asked the Imam (as), “Ya Imam! If a person has not learned to read the Qur’an, what should he do?” The Imam (as) replied, “Allah is Kind and Munificent! He should recite as much as he knows! He will certainly get the Reward!”
Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as) says, “When a person completes the recitation of the Qur’an in Mecca from one Friday to the other, or a similar period of time, he will be Rewarded amply by Allah.”
It is narrated from the Prophet of Allah (S): A person who recites as few as ten verses in a night, he would not be counted amongst the negligent people. If he recites fifty verses, he will be counted as a Dhakir (a person who remembers). If one recites a hundred verses, he will be counted amongst the Qaneteen (the obedient). One who recites two hundred verses in a night, then he is amongst the Qashe-een. If a person recites three hundred verses overnight, he one of the Fayezeen (the elevated). If a person recites five hundred verses in a night, he will be counted in a group of persons who prayed their whole lives. When a person recites a thousand verses in a night, he will get a Qantar of Reward. A Qantar is equal to fifteen thousand Mishqal (a mishqal is equal to 24 carat of gold) This will be equal to the Mount Ohud.
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) has said, “When a person recites any hundred verses of the Qur’an from any chapter, and after the recitation says thrice the words,’ Allah humma akshif anni bala’, all his calamities will be warded off.”
The Prophet of Islam (S) said, “If one has pain in the chest, he must seek succor from the Qur’an. Allah has promised that the Qur’an cures the chest pain!”
Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as) has said, “Every place has a spring season. For the Qur’an the spring is the Holy Month of Ramadan!”
It is narrated from Imam Zain-ul-’Abidin (as) that if one listens to even a word of the Qur’an with interest, Allah will order writing one good deed in his record and obliterates one sin committed by him. The person will be elevated one stage upward. If a person memorises even one word from the Qur’an, Allah will record ten good deeds in his name and removes ten sins from his record. He will also be raised ten stages upward in his status. When a person recites the verses of the Qur’an sitting at prayer, Allah will record fifty good deeds for him and remove fifty sins from his record. And raises his status fifty stages. When a person recites one verse standing in prayer, He will record hundred good deeds for him, remove a hundred sisn from his account and raise his status a hundred stages.When a person completes a full recitation of the Qur’an, Allah will fulfill his wish for this life or the Hereafter.
Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) has said that when a person recites a hundred verses from anywhere in the Qur’an and then says Ya Allah seven times and order a stone to shatter, it will shatter with Allah’s wish!

The Superiority of Reciting the Holy Qur’an Looking At Its Words
The eyesight of a person will improve if he recites the Qur’an looking at it pages. Allah will reduce the punishment for the sins of this person’s parents, even if the father or the mother was an infidel.
The house where a copy of the Qur’an is kept the Satan cannot come.
Authentic traditions indicate that three things would complain to Allah: 1. A mosque where people don’t go to offer prayer. 2. A scholar who lives amongst ignorant people and none respects him. 3. A copy of the Qur’an that takes dust in a house and no one reads it.
Someone asked the Prophet of Islam (S), “I have memorised the Qur’an. Is it better to recite it from the memory or by looking at the Book?” “The Prophet (S) replied, “It is better to recite looking at the pages of the Book because even looking at the book is auspicious.” Then the Prophet (S) said that there are six things that would be the cause of benefit to a person even after his death: 1. A pious son who prays for the deliverence of his parents after their death. 2. A copy of the Qur’an that will be read and recited by others after a person’s death. 3. A well that has been dug for the benefit of the populace. 4. Creating a canal or a source of running water. 5. A tree that has been planted to give shade to the others. 6. The good examples set by the person for others to follow after his death.
The Prophet of Islam (S) said that looking at the face of Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali bin Abi Talib (as) is equivalent to prayer. He also said that looking with affection on the faces of one’s parents too is prayer. Looking at the Holy Qur’an is prayer and setting eyes on the Kaaba too is prayer.