First Steps in Quran Recitation: A Simple guide for New Muslims

‘Read!’

…said the Angel. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace and of Allah be upon him) narrated:

I said: ‘I am not a reader.’ Then he took hold of me and squeezed me until I could not bear it any more then he released me and said,

‘Read!’

I said, ‘I am not a reader.’ He took hold of me and squeezed me a second time until I could not bear it any more, then he released me and said,

‘Read!’

I said, ‘I am not a reader.’ He took hold of me and squeezed me a third time until I could not bear it any more, then he released me and said,

‘Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not.’
(al-‘Alaq 96:1-5)

Alhamdulillah, praise to Allah. As a new Muslim, you’re embarking on an incredible, life changing journey, immersing yourself in the profound teachings of Islam and its ultimate guide, the Quran. The Quran is not merely a book; it is the word of Allah, a source of healing, and a beacon for those seeking a good life. Learning to recite the Quran is an extraordinary endeavour, but it can be daunting for beginners, especially as Arabic is the language in which it was revealed, and in which it must be recited. However, consider this challenge a transformative opportunity. The Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) once said:

“The likeness of the one who reads Quran and memorises it is that he is with the righteous honourable scribes [two Angels]. The likeness of the one who reads it and tries hard to memorise it even though it is difficult for him, he will have two rewards.” ¹

Laying the Foundation

Learning to recite the Qur’an correctly is a journey best taken with a teacher, who can guide you through the subtleties and beauty of each verse. However, there is so much you can start learning on your own to lay a strong foundation. The sooner you begin – even with just one verse – the sooner you open the door to the countless blessings that come with it.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “[Whoever recites a letter] from Allah’s Book, then he receives the reward from it, and the reward of ten the like of it.” ²

Before diving in, familiarize yourself with some basic concepts:

• Arabic Alphabet (abjad): Start by learning the Arabic alphabet. You don’t need perfection, as you will be practicing while learning to recite, so you will improve over time.
• Tajweed Rules: These complex rules govern pronunciation and intonation. At this stage just be aware that these rules exist, but do not get overwhelmed, nor delayed! Learning Quran is not a one-off event but a lifelong process that you will revisit all the time, insha’Allah (if Allah wills). Once you make a start and master some basics, you can explore progressing into more advanced areas, so for now learn to read some verses without worrying about perfection.
• Choose a Source: There are many great apps and websites to read Quran, and a printed version (mushaf) is always beneficial. However, for the sake of this guide we will make use of the popular website quran.com and partciularly we will need its “word by word” feature.

A Strategic Approach

Say, “He is Allāh, [who is] One, Allāh, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
(Al-Ikhlas, 112)

• Begin with short Surahs: I suggest starting with the last few Surahs (Chapters) of the Qur’an ³ which are short and more manageable for novices, for instance Surah Al-Ikhlas (no 112). Allah’s Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said, “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! That (Sura No. 112) equals one-third of the Qur’an.” ⁴
• Be aware of any special symbols: Some letters or symbols in the Quran differ slightly from everyday Arabic, but don’t worry; you’ll become familiar with them over time. Quran.com allows the choice of fonts so pick the one that is the easiest to read for you.
• Choose a Reciter: For a clear and accurate recitation, consider using the recordings of Mahmoud Khalil al-Husary – Muallim version. His style is known for its simplicity and adherence to the Quran’s original nuances, with almost 100% guarantee of correctness. The word muallim means teacher: so this is a teaching version particularly suitable for learners of Quran: it’s slow, clear, and doesn’t have many embellishments that could complicate comprehension. You will find it among other recordings available on quran.com.

The Method

• Word-by-Word: First, focus on each word individually. A great feature of quran.com is that you can click on each word of the verse to hear it’s correct pronunciation. Repeat it several times with as much precision as you can, paying special attention to vowel lengths.
• Follow the Reciter: Once you are comfortable with pronouncing each word individually, play the suggested recitation of only one verse (ayah) and try to repeat. It is normal to get lost at the beginning, but don’t give up and persevere: even if initially all you can do is to listen. After a while the sounds will become more familiar and you will build vocabulary that you will employ across different verses.

I suggest you divide this point into three stages:

1. 1. Listen only
   2. Play the recording and say the words together with the reciter
   3. Play the recording, then stop and try to say it on your own

Use technology

To further aid your learning, and especially when the verses get longer, I recommend using software such as Audacity, Reaper, Garage Band, Audition etc. to split the recordings into smaller fragments. You can then either use the repeat (loop) function in that software to practice each “chunk”, or you can export them and save on your mobile to listen whenever you have a moment.

I will demonstrate it on the example of the last verse of Surah Al-Baqarah (2:286).

Allāh does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned. “Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.”
(Al-Baqarah, 2:286)

STEP 1. Download the recording from quran.com (using the three dots “…” menu at the bottom of the page)

STEP 2. Import the mp3 to your preferred software. Find the last ayah and split it from the rest of the recording. For ease, you can drag it to a new track.

STEP 3. Zoom in and select only one small fragment, press Replay (or Repeat, or Loop, depending on software you use). Listen and repeat, and then move to the next fragment.

Memorization and Application

Once you can comfortably recite an entire Surah or Ayah (verse), start memorizing – you will remember the moment you were first able to recite it by heart, but apart from the worldly satisfaction, you will also earn rewards and the blessings for the Hereafter.

Use the memorized verses in your prayers (Salah), and throughout the day, and witness the profound impact of having a verse of the Quran in your heart

As you progress, explore more advanced recitation styles and learning the rules of Tajweed. Remember, proper recitation is always better than word-by-word, although the latter can be a helpful tool for beginners and a start of a very special journey, perhaps the most important journey in your life.

The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “It will be said to the companion of the Quran: Recite and rise in status, recite as you used to recite in the world, for your status will be at the last verse that you recite.” ⁵