Quran recitation is the art and science of correctly reciting the words of the Holy Quran exactly as they were revealed to and recited by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is far more than just reading the Arabic text aloud. It is a form of worship, a spiritual practice, and a disciplined art that requires knowledge, practice, and a conscious heart.
In this article, we will discuss the meaning of Quran recitation with Tajweed. Then, we will learn about the benefits of Quran recitation. Also, the rules of Quran recitation are discussed in some detail. After that, we will tackle Quran recitation teaching and discuss how to learn Quran recitation.
Table of Contents
What Is Quran Recitation With Tajweed?
Tajweed is the set of phonetic and linguistic rules that govern how each Arabic letter should be pronounced. Its primary goal is to ensure the Quran is recited without error, which could potentially change the meaning of the divine words. Mastering Tajweed ensures every letter is given its right.
In Islam, correctly conveying the Quran’s meaning is essential. Therefore, learning Tajweed is highly advised. It helps achieve accurate pronunciation and a better understanding of the text. It is also a valued practice because it allows one to recite the Quran much like the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions did.
Benefits Of Quran Recitation
From the tranquility that stills a restless heart to the intellectual enlightenment that sharpens the mind, the benefits of Quranic recitation are a timeless mercy for humanity, connecting the believer to their Creator and unlocking a state of inner peace and clarity. Let’s see below some of the benefits of Quran recitation.
1- Intercession On The Day Of Judgement:
The Quran is not just a book; it is the literal word of Allah. It is given a form and a voice on the Day of Judgment to speak on behalf of those who had a relationship with it in the worldly life.
In this regard, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“الصِّيَامُ وَالْقُرْآنُ يَشْفَعَانِ لِلْعَبْدِ، يَقُولُ الصِّيَامُ: أَيْ رَبِّ إِنِّي مَنَعْتُهُ الطَّعَامَ وَالشَّهَوَاتِ بِالنَّهَارِ فَشَفِّعْنِي فِيهِ، وَيَقُولُ الْقُرْآنُ: مَنَعْتُهُ النُّوْمَ بِاللَّيْلِ فَشَفِّعْنِي فِيهِ، فيشفعان”.
[Fasting and the Quran intercede for a man. Fasting says, ‘O my Lord, I have kept him away from his food and his passions by day, so accept my intercession for him.’ The Quran says, ‘I have kept him away from sleep by night, so accept my intercession for him.’ Then their intercession is accepted.]
In this Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encourages Muslims to read the Quran as it will intercede for them on the Day of Judgement.
2- Getting Multiplied Good Deeds:
It is a fundamental belief for Muslims that reading the Quran is a form of worship. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explained in a Hadith, the reward for reciting each letter is multiplied ten times, and Allah may increase this reward even further for whomever He pleases.
In this concern, it is narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“مَنْ قَرَأَ حَرْفًا مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَلَهُ بِهِ حَسَنَةٌ وَالْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا لَا أَقُولُ: آلم حَرْفٌ. أَلْفٌ حَرْفٌ وَلَامٌ حَرْفٌ وَمِيمٌ حَرْفٌ”.
[If anyone recites a letter of God’s Book, he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a tenfold reward (Quran, 6:160). I do not say that A.L.M is one letter*, but alif is a letter, lām is a letter and mīm is a letter.]
According to this Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that for each letter of the Quran one recites, they receive a good deed, and Allah has the power to multiply that reward manifold.
3- The Quran: A Source Of Tranquility And Presence of Angels:
As the final divine revelation guiding humanity, the Quran offers profound comfort, inner peace, and hope to any Muslim who engages with its recitation—a truth explicitly affirmed within its own verses:
“ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ”
[Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.]
This verse affirms that all kinds of remembrance of Allah, including reciting and listening to the Quran, give the believer’s heart comfort and Tranquility.
This meaning is further affirmed by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the following Hadith:
“ما اجتمع قوم في بيت من بيوت الله يتلون كتاب الله، ويتدارسونه بينهم، إلا نزلت عليهم السكينة، وغشيتهم الرحمة، وحفتهم الملائكة، وذكرهم الله فيمن عنده”.
[Any group of people that assemble in one of the Houses of Allah to recite the Book of Allah, learning and teaching it, tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will engulf them, angels will surround them and Allah will make mention of them to those (the angels) in His proximity.]
This Hadith powerfully encourages Muslims to gather to recite and study the Quran. It promises that such a gathering brings them divine blessings: peace for the heart, mercy from Allah, the presence of angels, and the ultimate honor of being recognized by Allah Himself.
4– Moral Guidance:
Reciting and understanding the Quran contribute to a Muslim’s guidance. In this regard, Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“إن الله يرفع بهذا الكتاب أقوامًا ويضع به آخرين”.
[Verily, Allah elevates some people with this Qur’an and abases others.]
In this hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stresses the fact that those Muslims who abide by the Quran are honorable and those who disobey the Quran are humiliated.
5- Companionship Of The Honorable Scribes (Angels):
Those Muslims who recite the Quran are with the noble angels. This is quite evident in the following hadith by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
.”الذي يقرأ القرآن وهو ماهر به مع السفرة الكرام البررة، والذي يقرأ القرآن ويتتعتع فيه وهو عليه شاق له أجران”
[The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Quran will be with the honorable and obedient scribes (angels) and he who recites the Quran and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite it in the best way possible, will have two rewards.]
This Hadith clarifies that there are two types of people reciting the Quran; one of them is a good reciter who follows Tajweed rules. The reward for this type of recitation is that he/she will be with the honorable and obedient scribes (angels). As for the one who recites the Quran with difficulty (the second type), they will receive a double reward.
Read Also: Tajweed Symbols And Signs With Examples And Charts
Quran Recitation Rules
The Quran is not an ordinary worldly written text. It is the final word of Allah, the Almighty to mankind. Therefore, Muslims adhere to several rules while reciting the Quran. Here are some of them:
1- Tajweed:
Aiming for proper pronunciation is important. It ensures the meaning of the Quranic verses remains unchanged and helps build a closer connection to Allah’s words. That’s why learning the basics of Tajweed is a practical way to avoid major recitation mistakes.
In this context, there is a direct command from Allah to recite the Quran properly:
“وَرَتِّلِ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ تَرْتِيلًا”
[Recite the Quran ˹properly˺ in a measured way]
In this part of verse, Allah instructs Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)—and by extension, all believers—to recite the Quran “properly”, mirroring the exact manner in which it was revealed; this divine command eventually formed the foundation for the science of Tajweed, which was systematically developed in later generations to preserve and standardize the rules of proper recitation.
2- Starting With Isti’aza And Basmallah:
Every session of Quran recitation must begin with two essential spiritual and practical preparations. These twin pillars ensure that the act of recitation is undertaken with reverence, protection, and a conscious connection to Allah, transforming it from a simple reading into an act of worship and communion. These two pillars are:
A- Isti’aza (Seeking Refuge):
The Isti’aza (saying “I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan”) acts as a spiritual shield, protecting the reciter from distractions and evil whispers, thereby purifying the heart and intention.
B- Basmallah (Invocating Allah’s Name):
Saying “In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful” signifies the commencement of the recitation in Allah’s name, seeking His blessings and mercy to understand and embody the divine message.
3- Maintaining Wudu:
Reciting the Quran is not merely an intellectual exercise but a form of worship that requires both spiritual and physical purity. Central to this preparation is the state of Wudu (ablution), a ritual cleansing that serves as a prerequisite for touching the Quranic text. Wudu acts as a spiritual key, transitioning the reciter from a state of worldly preoccupation to one of heightened mindfulness and sanctity.
Thus, maintaining Wudu is not just a procedural formality; it is a fundamental discipline that honors the Quran’s sanctity, cultivates inner focus, and embodies the Muslim’s respect for the privilege of communing with Allah’s speech.
4- Some Special Rules For Women:
Women have a special valued status in Islam. So when reciting the Quran, they need to follow some additional rules, including:
A- A woman should be in her proper Hijab.
B- A woman’s voice should not be loud so that it can be heard by her non-Mahram men.
5- Reciting The Quran Chapters In Order:
A fundamental principle in the science of Tajweed and Quranic recitation is adhering to the established order of the chapters (Surahs) as they appear in the compiled Mushaf (text of the Quran). This sequence, meticulously arranged under divine inspiration and not by chronological order of revelation, is itself a source of profound wisdom and spiritual harmony.
While it is permissible to recite individual verses or specific Surahs for devotion or prayer, the practice of reciting in the order of the Mushaf —from Al-Fatihah to An-Nas—is highly recommended, especially during complete readings (khatm). This approach honors the structural integrity of the Quran as it was entrusted to the Muslim community, allowing the reciter to experience the divine narrative flow and the gradual building of themes.
6- Establishing A Spiritual Connection (Khushoo’):
Beyond the precise articulation of letters lies the very heart of Quranic recitation: Khushoo’ (الخشوع)—a state of profound humility and heartfelt presence before Allah. Unlike the external, technical rules of Tajweed, Khushoo’ is the internal, spiritual discipline and the devoted focusing of one’s entire being—mind, soul, and emotion—on the meanings and majesty of Allah’s words.
Achieving Khushoo’ is the ultimate goal of recitation; it is the means by which the words transcend the tongue to resonate within the soul, inviting tranquility, mercy, and transformative guidance into the life of the believer.
Read Also: What Is Warsh Tajweed And Top Warsh Tajweed Rules To Learn?
Quran Recitation Teaching
The word قرآن is from the verb قرأ which means “to recite”. Thus, as the name indicates, the Quran is to be recited rather than written down. So the very word “Quran” emphasizes the importance of reading the book of Allah.
The Quran As An Oral Tradition:
The Quran was first and foremost revealed to be heard and recited. It was passed down as an oral tradition from Allah to Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and then from the Prophet to his followers. Writing it down was an important later step to help protect it, but the original and most important way the Quran is shared is through speech.
The companions learned it by heart, repeating it exactly as the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught them. This process of learning directly from a teacher is how the Quran has been perfectly preserved from one generation to the next and will continue to be until the end of the world.
How To Learn Quran Recitation?
Quran recitation with Tajweed is a practical science. It cannot be learned from text alone. While diagrams and explanations are helpful, the human ear and direct correction are essential for true mastery. Here are some ways to master Quran recitation:
1- Learn Tajweed:
The first step to learn how to recite the Quran is through learning Tajweed. Riwaq Al Quran is considered one of the best online platforms to offer Tajweed courses. There, you can join one of the top Online Quran Classes to learn how to recite the Quran.
2- Learn Basic Arabic Grammar:
The Quran was revealed in the Arabic language. That’s why it is very important to learn Arabic grammar, especially the basics. When you learn it, reciting the Quran fluently will be much easier for you.
In this concern, Allah says:
“إِنَّا جَعَلْنَـٰهُ قُرْءَٰنًا عَرَبِيًّۭا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ”
[Certainly, We have made it a Quran in Arabic so perhaps you will understand.]
3- Find a Quran teacher:
You can also have a Quran teacher to ensure proper pronunciation during recitation. They can always correct your pronunciation of the verses and make your Tajweed and recitation much better.
You can choose your Quran teacher from our experienced instructors who can always address your challenges, give you personalized feedback, and keep you on track.
4- Listen to Qualified Quran Recitations:
You can listen to Quran recitations by qualified reciters as much as you can. This reinforces pronunciation and good recitation. Recommended reciters to listen to are Shaikh Al Hossary and Shaikh Al Minshawy.
5- Imitate what you hear from the Qari:
After hearing a verse or a part of a verse from a qualified Quran reciter (Qari), repeat what you have heard, paying special attention to the rules of Tajweed applied.
6– Record Yourself:
Recording your Quranic recitation is an effective self-assessment tool. By listening back, you can pinpoint areas for improvement and identify specific challenges. Repeated practice on these sections will help you refine your recitation and elevate your skills.
Read Also: Hafs’ Tajweed Rules
Learn Quran, Arabic And Islamic Studies Online With The Best Native Tutors
Riwaq Al Quran is a comprehensive online platform that offers personalized Quran, Arabic and Islamic Studies Online classes for individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
Their experienced instructors use a structured curriculum to cover Tajweed, Tafsir, and Memorization, providing easy and effective access to learning the Quran.
The advanced online classes allow for seamless communication and interaction between students and teachers. Join Riwaq Al Quran for a deeper connection with the Quran.
We offer several courses such as:
- Online courses for kids.
- Online Quran classes for kids and adults.
- Online Arabic courses
- Online Ijazah courses
- Online Islamic Studies courses.
Here are a sample of our set of Quran Courses that will be helpful for you:
- Online Tafseer Course: Delve into Quranic meanings with our insightful online Tafseer course.
- Noorani Qaida Online: Learn Quranic basics efficiently through our Noorani Qaida online program.
- Online Quran Recitation Course: Enhance Quranic recitation skills through our expert-led online course.
- Online Tajweed Classes: Master Tajweed rules for beautiful Quranic recitation in online classes.
- Quran Memorization Online Course: Memorize the Quran effectively with our specialized online memorization course.
- Online Qirat Course: Explore diverse Qirat styles with our comprehensive online Qirat course.
- Online Quran Classes for Kids: Nurture a love for the Quran in kids through interactive online classes.
Conclusion
In summary, reciting the Quran is the practiced art of delivering its sacred text aloud with reverence, melody, and adherence to established rules. This act is a form of worship and spiritual practice that goes beyond reading—it requires knowledge, dedication, and a heartfelt presence. Its role is dual: to safeguard the divine word and to offer Muslims around the world a path to profound spiritual fulfillment.
