The Sunnahs of reading the Quran include sincere intention, purity, seeking refuge in Allah from Satan before reciting, and beginning each surah with Bismillah. They also include slow recitation with tartil and correct Tajweed, beautifying the voice, reflecting on meaning, responding to verses of mercy and warning, and the prostration of recitation.
What does the fiqh of reading the Quran cover?
The fiqh of reading the Quran is the set of rulings and recommended manners (adab) that govern how Muslims approach, hold and recite the Book of Allah. Some of these are obligations, such as reciting the words correctly, while many are Sunnahs that add reward and presence of heart.
Most Muslims know the basics, but several of these Sunnahs are easy to forget in a busy daily routine. This guide gathers the most commonly overlooked ones, with their evidence, so you can bring them back into your recitation. For a shorter checklist of general etiquette, see our guide to the 10 manners of reading the Quran.
Sunnahs of reading the Quran at a glance
| Sunnah | What to do | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Sincere intention | Read for the sake of Allah, not for show or habit | "Actions are judged by intentions" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1; Sahih Muslim 1907) |
| Purity | Have wudu, especially when touching the mushaf | Quran 56:79 and the position of the majority of scholars |
| Seeking refuge | Say "A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim" before reciting | Quran 16:98 |
| Bismillah | Begin every surah with it, except Surah at-Tawbah | The established practice of the reciters and the written mushaf |
| Tartil | Recite slowly and clearly, verse by verse | Quran 73:4 |
| Tajweed | Pronounce every letter correctly from its proper point | Hadith of the one proficient in the Quran (Sahih al-Bukhari 4937; Sahih Muslim 798) |
| Beautifying the voice | Recite in a pleasant, moving voice without exaggeration | Hadith "Beautify the Quran with your voices" (reported by Abu Dawud and others) |
| Reflection | Pause to think about what the verses mean | Quran 38:29; Quran 47:24 |
| Responding to verses | Ask for mercy at verses of mercy, seek refuge at verses of punishment | Hadith of Hudhayfah describing the Prophet's night prayer (Sahih Muslim) |
| Prostration of recitation | Prostrate when you reach a verse of sajdah | The practice of the Prophet ﷺ reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim |
| Listening attentively | Stay silent and attentive when the Quran is recited | Quran 7:204 |
Why does intention matter before reading the Quran?
Your intention decides the reward of your reading. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will have what he intended" (Sahih al-Bukhari 1; Sahih Muslim 1907).
Before you open the mushaf, take a moment to renew your purpose: you are reading to draw closer to Allah, to seek His guidance and to earn His reward, not for show, routine or entertainment. This pause turns a few minutes of reading into worship.
Do you need wudu to read the Quran?
The majority of scholars, including the four schools of law, hold that wudu is required to touch the mushaf, and that reciting from memory without wudu is permitted though being in wudu is better. Scholars cite the verse "None touch it except the purified" (Quran 56:79), along with narrations to the same effect.
A person in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah) should not recite the Quran until they have taken a ghusl, according to the majority. Scholars differ about women during menstruation: the majority say they should not recite, while the Maliki school and others allow recitation from memory, especially for teachers and students who would otherwise forget. Reading on a phone or app is treated more leniently by many scholars, since the screen is not a mushaf.
Other recommended manners include cleaning the mouth, for example with a miswak, sitting in a clean place and facing the qiblah where possible. None of these is a condition of valid recitation, but scholars have long counted them among the etiquette of the Quran.
What do you say before reading the Quran?
Before you begin, say "A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed). Allah commands: "So when you recite the Quran, seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled" (Quran 16:98).
The majority of scholars consider this a strongly recommended Sunnah, and a minority consider it obligatory. It is said once at the start of a reading session. If you finish one surah and continue directly into the next, you do not need to repeat it; if you stop for a conversation or another task and then return, it is good to say it again.
When do you say Bismillah?
After seeking refuge, the reciter says "Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim" at the beginning of every surah except Surah at-Tawbah (chapter 9), which is the only surah written without it. This is the established practice of the reciters. When you start reading from the middle of a surah, saying Bismillah is optional, and many teachers recommend it.
Why should the Quran be recited slowly?
Allah commands measured recitation: "and recite the Quran with measured recitation" (Quran 73:4). This measured, unhurried style is called tartil, and it is a Sunnah that is easy to lose when we try to finish a set number of pages quickly.
The wives and Companions of the Prophet ﷺ described his recitation as clear and distinct, letter by letter, pausing at the end of verses. Reading this way gives each letter its due, helps you avoid mistakes and leaves room to think about what you are reading. Learning where to pause is part of this, and our guide to the rules of stopping in the Quran explains the signs printed in the mushaf.
Is Tajweed a Sunnah or an obligation?
Scholars of Tajweed explain that avoiding clear mistakes, those that change a letter, a vowel or the meaning, is obligatory for anyone reciting the Quran. The finer rules, such as the exact length of certain elongations, are a matter of perfecting the recitation and are strongly encouraged.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "The one who is proficient in the Quran will be with the noble and righteous scribes (the angels), and the one who recites the Quran and stumbles over it, finding it difficult, will have a double reward" (Sahih al-Bukhari 4937; Sahih Muslim 798). So the beginner who struggles is rewarded too, and the goal is steady improvement.
A common example of a meaning-changing error is mixing up close letters: "qalb" with the deep letter qaf means "heart", while "kalb" with kaf means "dog". To understand why these rules matter so much, read our article on why we learn Tajweed.
Is it Sunnah to recite the Quran in a beautiful voice?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged Muslims to beautify the Quran with their voices, and he praised Companions known for their moving recitation. A beautiful voice here means a sincere, clear and pleasant tone that moves the heart.
It does not mean imitating songs or stretching sounds beyond the rules of Tajweed. Recite in your natural voice, as well as you are able, and let your feeling for the words show.
How do you reflect on the Quran while reading?
Reflection (tadabbur) is the purpose of recitation. Allah says: "This is a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded" (Quran 38:29), and asks: "Then do they not reflect upon the Quran, or are there locks upon their hearts?" (Quran 47:24).
Practical ways to reflect include reading a reliable translation alongside the Arabic, repeating a verse that touches you, and asking yourself what it asks of you today. Even a few verses read with understanding can mean more than many pages read without attention.
Responding to what you read
A Sunnah that many readers miss is responding to the verses. Hudhayfah described praying behind the Prophet ﷺ at night: when he passed a verse mentioning glorification of Allah he glorified Him, when he passed a verse of asking he asked, and when he passed a verse about seeking refuge he sought refuge (Sahih Muslim). You can do the same in your voluntary reading, asking Allah for Paradise at verses describing it and seeking refuge at verses describing punishment.
What is the prostration of recitation?
The prostration of recitation (sujud at-tilawah) is a single prostration made when you recite or hear one of the verses of prostration, which are marked in most copies of the mushaf. The Prophet ﷺ prostrated at these verses, and the Companions prostrated with him.
The Hanafi school considers it wajib; the other three schools consider it a Sunnah. According to many scholars, you say "Allahu akbar" as you go down, prostrate once with the usual glorification, and rise. It is one of the most commonly forgotten Sunnahs, especially when reading quietly at home.
What should you do when the Quran is being recited?
When the Quran is recited, listen quietly and attentively. Allah says: "So when the Quran is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy" (Quran 7:204). Giving it your full attention, in the mosque, the car or at home, is part of honoring the Quran.
Can you learn these Sunnahs with a Quran teacher online?
Reading about tartil and Tajweed helps, but most people only master them by reciting to a teacher who can listen and correct them. The online Quran Tajweed course at Murouj Academy offers live, private one-to-one classes with native Arab teachers, including ijazah holders. You choose your teacher through free trial classes before you commit, and women and girls are taught by female teachers. If you would like to try a lesson, book a free trial class.
Frequently asked questions
Can I read the Quran without covering my hair?
Covering the hair is not a condition for reciting the Quran outside of prayer, though many scholars recommend modest dress as part of honoring the Quran. Reciting within the prayer follows the normal rules of covering for prayer.
Do I need to say A'udhu billah before every surah?
No. You say it once at the start of your reading. You only repeat it if you stop and then begin reading again later.
Is it Sunnah to kiss the Quran?
There is no authentic report of the Prophet ﷺ doing so. Some scholars permit it as a sign of respect, while others prefer to avoid it, so it is best not to treat it as a Sunnah.
How often should I complete the Quran?
Scholars recommend completing it regularly, and the Prophet ﷺ advised one Companion to complete it once a month. Many people aim for at least once a year, often in Ramadan.
