Etiquettes of Reciting the Holy Qur’an
The Qur’an is the word of Allah, and there are etiquettes that must be observed when reciting it, to show respect and reverence for the divine words. These etiquettes include:
- Sincerity of Intention for Allah: The intention should be solely for the sake of Allah, free from personal desires, worldly motives, or any other distractions. Such things can become a barrier between the reciter or listener and the words of Allah.
- Proper Appearance, Facing the Qibla, and Purification: One should strive to be in a state of physical cleanliness by performing ablution (wudu), using the miswak to clean the mouth, wearing clean and respectable clothing, and using perfume. It is also recommended to face the Qibla, sit properly, and avoid distractions like fidgeting or turning around.
- Presence of Heart and Readiness: One should mentally prepare and focus, imagining as if they are listening to the Qur’an directly from Allah Himself. This helps in fostering a sense of awe and respect.
- Looking for Asylum and Basmala: Start the recitation by looking for asylum in Allah from the damned Satan (by saying “A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim”), and at that point begin with the basmala (“Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim”) at the starting of each surah, but for Surah At-Tawbah.
- Humility and Reflection on the Meaning: One should ponder the meanings of the Qur’anic verses, reflecting on the lessons, warnings, and promises they contain.
- Beautifying the Voice and Reciting in a Melodious Manner: It is recommended to recite the Qur’an in a beautiful and pleasant voice, adhering to the rules of Tajweed.
- Gathering for Recitation and Expanding the Circle: It is commendable to gather in groups for recitation, and to arrange the seating in a way that accommodates all participants comfortably,
- Listening Attentively and Reflecting: It is important for those who are listening to the recitation to do so attentively, whether the recitation is live or from a recording. Active listening is a form of showing respect to the Qur’an and enables the listener to reflect on its meanings.
These etiquettes aim to create a reverent and mindful atmosphere for the recitation of the Qur’an, allowing the reciter or listener to connect more deeply with its meanings and fostering a stronger spiritual connection with Allah.
Singing the Qur’an
We previously mentioned that among the etiquettes of recitation are enhancing one’s voice and perfecting the recitation. Here, we clarify this matter further by stating that improving one’s voice and beautifying it with the Qur’an is encouraged, even with the well-known Arabic melodies. However, this should be done with the condition of adhering to the etiquettes of the Qur’an and observing the rules stipulated in the science of Tajweed, without compromising any of the rulings of the Qur’an.
Warnings from Scholars About Certain Innovations in Reciting the Qur’an
Scholars have alerted us to the innovations that people have introduced in the recitation of the Qur’an, such as using melodious tones that mimic musical rhythms. Al-Rafi’i, in his book The Miracle of the Qur’an, expressed this by saying:
- Melodic Chanting: “Among the innovations in recitation and performance is this melodic chanting that continues to be passed on by those whose hearts are captivated by it and by those who admire their style. They recite it in a manner resembling musical rhythm, which is akin to singing!”
- Types of Innovations:
- Tarra’id: This involves the reader trembling their voice as if shivering from cold or pain.
- Tarqeeq: This is the attempt to pause on the consonant before striking it with movement, as if in a run or jog.
- Taqreeb: This means to sing the Qur’an in a melodious manner, prolonging sounds inappropriately and extending them at the right places.
- Tahzeen: This involves reading in a sorrowful tone that nearly brings one to tears, accompanied by humility and submissiveness.
- Tardid: This is the congregation responding to the reciter at the end of their recitation with the same melody in one of these forms.
Recitation should ideally be:
- Tahqeeq: This means giving each letter its due according to what the scholars have established, with clarity and care.
- Hadr: This refers to swift recitation while adhering to the correct performance conditions.
- Tadweer: This is a moderate pace between Tahqeeq and Hadr.