In a nutshell: Reading the Quran is both a spiritual and disciplined act, guided by divine etiquette that purifies the heart and honors the sacred words. These rules—covering sincerity, purity, proper recitation, and mindful reflection—help believers approach the Quran with reverence and receive its blessings. Observing them transforms reading into an act of worship and connection with Allah.

Approaching the Quran is not like reading any other book. It is a sacred act, a conversation with your Lord, and it comes with a divine etiquette—an Adab—that we must observe. 

These rules for reading and reciting the Quran are not meant to be a barrier; they are the very means by which we honor and unlock the blessings of the Words.

This guide is for you, the sincere seeker, who wishes to interact with the Quran as it deserves to be interacted with.

1. The Spiritual Foundation is Sincerity of Intention 

Before your hands touch the Mushaf (the physical Quran) or your tongue utters a single letter, your heart must be corrected. The foremost rule is Ikhlas—sincerity.

Why are you reading? Is it to gain praise for your beautiful voice? Is it to win an argument? Or is it to seek the pleasure of Allah, to understand His message, and to heal your heart?

The Prophet (ﷺ) warned us of the man who recites the Quran beautifully so that it is said, “He is a Qari (reciter),” and his reward is lost in that praise. 

May Allah protect us. Before you begin, renew your intention. Make it purely and solely for Allah.

2. Purity is Among the Rules for Reading the Quran

The physical and the spiritual are deeply connected in Islam. Honoring the Quran begins with honoring our own state of being when we approach it.

What Is The Ruling On Wudu (Ablution) For Reading The Quran?

Yes, according to the majority of scholars from all four schools of thought, it is obligatory (wajib) to be in a state of ritual purity (Wudu) to touch the physical Arabic text of the Mushaf.

This ruling is derived from the profound words of Allah:

“لَّا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ” 

(Lā yamassuhū illā al-muṭahharūn) 

“None touch it except the purified.” [Surah Al-Waqi’ah 56:79]

This verse, while also referring to the angels who touch the Preserved Tablet, serves as a clear indication for us. We present ourselves in a state of physical purity to receive the purest of all speech.

The Ruling Of Purity When Reading Quran From A Phone Or Computer?

It is permissible to read from a device without Wudu. Scholars have generally opined that a phone or digital device is not a Mushaf. The text is data, not permanent ink on a page. 

However, the Faqeeh (jurist) advises you: The Adab (etiquette) is always superior. If you can make Wudu, even for a phone, you are showing the highest reverence, and your reward will be greater, insha’Allah.

The Ruling Of Purity When Reading Quran From Memory?

If you are reading from memory and not touching the Mushaf, Wudu is not obligatory. However, it is highly mustahabb (recommended). It is always best to be in a state of purity when reciting the Words of Allah.

3. Facing the Qiblah and Proper Setting When Reading Quran

It is a sign of profound respect to face the Qiblah (the direction of the Ka’bah) when reciting. While not obligatory, it orients your entire being toward the center of our Ummah and the House of Allah.

Find a clean, quiet, and respectful place. Avoid reciting in bathrooms, loud marketplaces, or places of impurity. 

4. Reciting the Quran Not just read the Quran

The way the Quran is recited is as much a part of the revelation as the letters themselves.

Allah commands us:

“وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلًا” 

(Wa rattilil-Qur’āna tartīlā) 

“and recite the Qur’an with measured recitation.” [Surah Al-Muzzammil 73:4]

This Tarteel is the science of Tajweed. Tajweed means “to perfect” or “to beautify.” Tajweed is the science of giving every letter its right (haqq) and its due (mustahaqq)—its correct articulation point (makhraj), its attributes (sifaat), and its proper length (mudd).

The Noble Struggle for the Non-Arab Tongue Reciting Quran

As a non-Arab speaker, you will encounter sounds foreign to your tongue: the deep “ع” (Ayn), the emphatic “ض” (Daad), or the breathy “ح” (Haa).

Do not be discouraged. This is your honor. The Prophet (ﷺ) said that the one who is proficient with the Quran is with the noble, righteous scribes (angels), and the one who stammers when reciting the Quran, finding it difficult, will have a double reward.

But this double reward is for the one who strives, not the one who is content with error. A small mistake in pronunciation can, in some cases, drastically alter the meaning.

This precision is not intuitive; it is a science that must be learned. 

The pursuit of correct recitation is why a dedicated Learn Quran with Tajweed course, under a qualified, native-speaking teacher, is the first and most critical step for a serious student. 

You cannot learn the sound of the Quran from a book alone; you must hear it and be corrected by a living guide.

Enroll Now in Quranica’s Tajweed Course 

5. Stick to Specific Etiquettes (Adab) During Recitation

Once your heart is present and your intention is pure, there are specific rules reading quran that pertain to the act of recitation itself. 

These practices were taught by the Prophet (ﷺ) and his Companions, and they elevate your recitation from a mere reading to a profound act of worship.

Seek Refuge in Allah

Before you begin, you must say:

A’udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan).

This is a direct command from Allah:

“فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ”

 (Fa idhā qara’ta-l-Qur’āna fasta‘idh billāhi minash-shayṭāni-r-rajīm) 

“So when you recite the Qur’an, [first] seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy].” [Surah An-Nahl 16:98]

You are purifying your recitation from the whispers of Satan, clearing your heart to receive the divine light without distortion.

The Basmalah (Seeking Blessings)

You should begin your recitation at the start of any Surah (chapter) by saying:

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem (In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful).

The only exception is Surah At-Tawbah (Chapter 9). You do not begin this Surah with the Basmalah, as it was not the practice of the Companions, and the Surah itself begins with a declaration of disavowal.

If you are starting from the middle of a Surah, it is sufficient to begin only with the Isti’adhah (seeking refuge), although adding the Basmalah is also permissible and good.

Recite with a Beautiful, Measured Pace

Do not rush. The Quran is not a newspaper to be skimmed. It is a source of healing. Recite calmly, allowing the words to penetrate your heart. 

If you come across a verse about Paradise, pause and ask Allah for it. If you come across a verse about the Fire, pause and seek refuge from it. This is Tadabbur—deep reflection.

Understanding What You Recite

Can a heart be moved by a message it does not understand?

While reciting the Arabic text is an act of worship in itself (you are rewarded for every letter), the ultimate purpose of revelation is guidance.

This is the next step in your journey. As you perfect your rules reading quran, you must simultaneously seek its meaning. Reading a translation is a good start, but the depth, eloquence, and miraculous nature of the Quran are only found in its original language.

This is why our Quranic-Arabic Course and Tafseer Course are so essential. They are designed to move you from just reading the words to understanding the message, unlocking the layers of wisdom your Lord has sent to you.

Enroll Now in Our Online Tafseer Course

Prostration of Recitation (Sajdat at-Tilawah)

As you recite, you will encounter fifteen specific verses in the Quran marked as verses of Sajdah (prostration). When you recite or hear one of these verses, it is a confirmed Sunnah to perform a single prostration.

This is the ultimate sign of submission. At the moment Allah describes His righteous servants prostrating, you join them. 

You say “Allahu Akbar,” go down into one prostration just as you would in prayer, and say “Subhana Rabbiyal ‘Ala” (Glory to my Lord, the Most High). There is no Tashahhud or Tasleem.

Knowing where these verses are and the simple ruling for them is a key part of the rules for reading the Quran, and a beautiful component of a guided Islamic Studies Online Course.

Do Not Interrupt the Sacred Time

When you are reciting, you are in a sacred conversation. It is from the worst of Adab to cut off your conversation with Allah to engage in idle, worldly talk.

If an urgent matter arises (like answering a parent or a critical need), you may pause. But to stop reciting to join in a casual conversation or to check your phone is disrespect.

Furthermore, be mindful of where you pause. Do not stop at a place that cuts off the meaning or gives an incomplete picture (e.g., stopping at “So woe to those who pray…” without continuing “…but are heedless of their prayer.”).

The Duty of Listening Attentively

These quran recitation rules do not only apply to the reciter. They apply just as forcefully to the one who is listening. If the Quran is being recited aloud, it is an obligation to be silent and listen attentively.

Allah the Exalted commands us:

“وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ” 

(Wa idhā quri’a-l-Qur’ānu fastami‘ū lahū wa anṣitū la‘allakum turḥamūn) 

“So when the Qur’an is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy.” [Surah Al-A’raf 7:204]

Mercy is the promised reward for the one who simply listens and pays attention. This is why learning in a halaqa (a circle of learning), whether online or in person, is so blessed.

Read Also: Dua Before Reading Quran

Start Your Quranic Journey Now with Quranica

The true Tarteel (measured recitation) is a sound that must be heard, corrected, and perfected by a living guide. A book cannot correct your pronunciation.

This sacred transmission—from a qualified tongue to a receiving heart—is the trust we uphold at Quranica.

We do not offer you a simple app or a video course. We offer you an authentic inheritance, taught by masters who are:

Native Arab Scholars and esteemed graduates of Al-Azhar University.

Holders of Ijazah (Licenses) to teach, connecting you to an unbroken chain of transmission ($sanad$) that reaches back to the Prophet (ﷺ) himself.

Specialists in Teaching Non-Arabs, with long experience in patiently guiding students from Arabic Lessons for Beginners to the mastery of our Learn Quran with Tajweed course.

• Learn Quranic-Arabic Course 
• Arabic lessons for beginners
• Learn Quran with Tajweed
• Quran Memorization and Hifz Programs
• Online Quran Tafseer Course
• Islamic Studies Online Course

 Explore our full range of courses.

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Conclusion

True recitation begins with sincerity of intention and purity of body and soul, ensuring one approaches the Quran as an act of devotion, not performance. Observing cleanliness and facing the Qiblah express both inner and outer respect for the divine message.

Mastering Tajweed and understanding the meanings of the verses bring the reciter closer to the Quran’s spirit. Every sound, pause, and reflection carries the potential to awaken faith and deepen comprehension.

Maintaining focus, observing etiquette during recitation, and listening attentively invite Allah’s mercy and light into one’s heart. Through these timeless etiquettes, the believer’s relationship with the Quran becomes not just reading—but living its message.