Questions and Answers on the Quran, Memorization, and Recitation
The Quran is the speech of Allah, revealed as guidance, mercy, healing, and light. Whoever wants to benefit from it should combine recitation, memorization, reflection, and action.
A Muslim should have a fixed daily portion, even if small, because a small consistent deed is better than a large interrupted one.
What is the virtue of the Quran?
The Quran is the greatest Book. It is guidance for people and healing for what is in the hearts.
Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most upright and gives glad tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward. [Al-Isra: 9]
O mankind, there has come to you an instruction from your Lord, a healing for what is in the breasts, and guidance and mercy for the believers. [Yunus: 57]
What is the virtue of reciting the Quran?
“Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah will have one good deed for it, and a good deed is multiplied by ten. I do not say Alif Lam Mim is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Mim is a letter.” Narrated by At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by scholars.
Who are the best people regarding the Quran?
“The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari.
This includes learning its recitation, meanings, acting upon it, and teaching it to people.
Is the purpose of the Quran only recitation?
No. The greatest purpose is that a Muslim recites the Quran, reflects upon it, and acts upon it. Recitation is a great door, but complete benefit comes through understanding Allah’s words and following them.
This is a blessed Book We have sent down to you, so that they may reflect upon its verses and so that people of understanding may be reminded. [Sad: 29]
How should a Muslim begin memorizing the Quran?
He should begin with a simple, steady plan:
- Make the intention sincerely for Allah.
- Choose a fixed time for memorization.
- Memorize with a teacher or skilled reciter as much as possible.
- Keep the amount small until it is firm.
- Repeat the verses before moving on.
- Review daily.
- Ask Allah for opening and firmness.
What is the best way to review memorization?
The best way to review is to have a fixed daily portion that is not abandoned, and to make review greater than new memorization, because the Quran slips away if its companion does not regularly maintain it.
Helpful methods include:
- Reviewing a fixed portion daily according to ability.
- Connecting new memorization to old memorization.
- Reading to a teacher or skilled companion.
- Praying with what one has memorized.
- Setting aside a weekly day for review without new memorization.
- Not moving too quickly before the memorized portion is firm.
Which is better: memorization or understanding?
Both are required, and neither should crowd out the other. Whoever can combine memorization and understanding has done what is more complete. Whoever begins with one should give the other its share. The Quran was revealed for recitation, reflection, and action.
Is it permissible to read the Quran without understanding the meaning?
Yes. Reciting the Quran is an act of worship for which a Muslim is rewarded even if he does not understand every meaning. However, complete benefit from the Quran comes with reflection, understanding, and action.
Do they not reflect upon the Quran, or are there locks upon their hearts? [Muhammad: 24]
A Muslim should combine abundant recitation with trying to understand the meanings through a reliable tafsir.
How can someone reflect on the Quran if he does not know Arabic well?
He reflects according to his ability. This includes:
- Reading a reliable translation of the meanings in his language.
- Returning to a trusted concise tafsir.
- Learning repeated Quranic words.
- Listening to explanations from scholars.
- Asking Allah to open his understanding of His Book.
He should not interpret the Quran merely by personal opinion or feeling; rather, he returns to the explanations of the scholars.
How is Quran memorization kept firm?
Memorization is kept firm through continuous review. Whoever leaves review will find that his memorization slips away.
“Keep reviewing the Quran, for by the One in whose Hand is my soul, it escapes more quickly than camels from their ropes.” Agreed upon.
Is learning tajwid obligatory?
A Muslim should learn enough tajwid to correct his recitation, pronounce letters from their proper places, and avoid mistakes that change meanings. Expanding into the finer details of tajwid is good knowledge, but it is not the same level of obligation for every Muslim.
The aim is that a Muslim recites the Quran correctly according to his ability, without affectation and without abandoning recitation out of fear of mistakes.
Is someone sinful if he makes mistakes while reciting the Quran?
Whoever makes mistakes while learning and striving is not sinful, in sha Allah. Rather, he is hoped to receive reward for his recitation and effort. As for one who is able to learn Al-Fatihah and what makes his prayer valid but neglects it, he is falling short.
“The one skilled in the Quran is with the noble, righteous scribes; and the one who recites the Quran while stumbling through it, finding it difficult, has two rewards.” Agreed upon.
Is it permissible to recite the Quran quickly?
It is permissible to recite quickly if the recitation remains clear, does not disturb the letters, and does not lose the meanings. However, it is better to recite with reflection and measured recitation.
And recite the Quran with measured recitation. [Al-Muzzammil: 4]
Speed that causes letters to be dropped or prevents any understanding is not from proper etiquette with the Book of Allah.
Is there reward in listening to the Quran?
Yes. Listening to the Quran is a great act of worship and a cause of mercy and benefit. However, it does not always replace a recitation portion for one who is able to read.
When the Quran is recited, listen to it and be silent so that you may receive mercy. [Al-A‘raf: 204]
It is best for a Muslim to combine recitation, listening, and reflection.
Is it permissible to read the Quran from a phone?
Yes. It is permissible to read the Quran from a phone, and the reader receives the reward of recitation in sha Allah. The rulings of touching a mushaf do not apply to a phone screen in every respect according to many scholars, but honoring the Quran remains obligatory in all cases.
May one enter the bathroom with a phone that has a Quran app?
If the Quran app is closed and verses are not visible on the screen, there is no harm in sha Allah in entering the bathroom with the phone, because a phone does not take the ruling of a mushaf in every respect. If verses are visible, they should be closed out of reverence for Allah’s words.
Is wudu required to read the Quran?
It is permissible to recite Quran from memory without wudu if the reader is not in a state of janabah. As for touching the mushaf, the majority of scholars hold that only one in a state of purity should touch it.
None touch it except the purified. [Al-Waqi‘ah: 79]
Many scholars use this verse as evidence, along with reports from the Companions and writings of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
May a menstruating woman recite the Quran?
This issue contains scholarly difference. Some scholars prohibited it, while others allowed her to recite without touching the mushaf if she needs to, such as for learning, review, or fear of forgetting. It is safer for a woman to ask trusted scholars in her locality, especially in cases of study and memorization.
Is it permissible to place the mushaf on the floor?
The mushaf should be honored and protected, and it should not be placed where it is disrespected or demeaned. If it is placed on a clean floor due to need and with proper etiquette, such as when no raised place is available, and no disrespect is intended, then this is not meant as disrespect. However, it is better to place it in a suitable raised place.
May the mushaf be touched without wudu for learning or teaching?
The original ruling according to the majority of scholars is that only one in a state of purity touches the mushaf. If someone needs to teach, is young, or is in difficulty, these are issues with details among scholars. A barrier may be used, or one may read from a phone or teaching board when needed.
What are the etiquettes of Quran recitation?
Among the etiquettes of recitation are:
- Sincerity for Allah.
- Purity as much as possible.
- Seeking refuge before reciting.
- Reading with reflection and humility.
- Beautifying the voice without affectation.
- Acting upon what is recited.
- Not abandoning the Quran.
When you recite the Quran, seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan. [An-Nahl: 98]
What does abandoning the Quran mean?
Abandoning the Quran may occur by leaving its recitation, leaving reflection upon it, leaving action by it, leaving judgment according to it, or leaving seeking healing and guidance through it.
The Messenger will say: My Lord, indeed my people took this Quran as abandoned. [Al-Furqan: 30]
Is it permissible to take payment for teaching the Quran?
It is permissible to take payment for teaching the Quran according to the majority of scholars, due to the hadith of ruqyah with Al-Fatihah and the statement of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم:
“The most deserving thing for which you take payment is the Book of Allah.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari.
May the reward of Quran recitation be gifted to the deceased?
What is best and agreed upon as benefiting the deceased is making du‘a for him, giving charity on his behalf, performing Hajj or Umrah on his behalf if the conditions are met, and making up what was obligatory upon him of fasting or vows according to their details.
“When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge that is benefited from, or a righteous child who supplicates for him.” Narrated by Muslim.
Whoever wants to benefit the deceased should increase in supplication and charity.