THE VIRTUES OF READING THE QUR’AN IN THE CORRECT MANNER

In many of the hadiths, Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, related that reading the Qur’an in the correct manner and acting upon its commands is the means of great rewards from Allah. Here are just a few of those traditions (hadiths):
1. “The best of you is the one who learns the Qur’an and teaches it to others.”
2. “Read the Qur’an, for verily it will come on the Day of Judgment as an intercessor for its companions.”
3. “Those who recite the Qur’an beautifully will be with the noble scribes (angels). Those who read it with difficulty will obtain double the reward.”
4. “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward, and that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that “Alif, Lam, Mim” is one letter, rather I am saying that “alif” is a letter, “lam” is a letter and “mim” is a letter.”
5. “Whoever reads the Qur’an and acts upon what it contains, his parents shall be made to wear a crown, the light of which will be brighter than the sun that illuminates the world.”

Points to Consider While Reading the Qur’an
1. The Qur’an must not be recited, read or touched while in a state of major impurity.
2. The Qur’an may be recited or read without performing the ablutions (wudu), however, reciting the Qur’an in the state of purification is more meritorious.
3. The recitation of the Qur’an should begin by proclaiming A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytani’r-rajim (I seek refuge in Allah from the Satan, the accursed one).
4. When reciting the Qur’an, each letter should be read distinctly and in the proper manner, without haste and in accordance to elocution of reciting the Holy Scripts.
5. The reciter must contemplate the meaning of the verses while reading.
6. These are not the words of humans, the Qur’an is the Word of Allah and therefore should be read with respect and submissiveness.
7. The area in which the Qur’an is recited must be clean.
8. The reciter must attempt to use the voice in the correct manner and be instructed regarding the recitation of the Qur’an.
9. Those who read the Qur’an should strive to act upon its commands.
10. The Qur’an must not be held below waist level.

 

Akgul, Muhittin. Tafsir: An Introduction to Qur’anic Exegesis. Tughra Books Press, Inc. 2013