Answered by Shaykh Anas al-Musa
Question
What are the etiquettes related to the Noble Quran?
Answer
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.
The Noble Quran is the eternal miracle of Islam, revealed by Allah to our Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) to bring people from darkness into light and guide them to the straight path, as stated by Allah (Most High):
“Alif, Lam, Ra. (This is) a Book which We have revealed to you (O Prophet) so that you may lead people out of darkness and into light, by the Will of their Lord, to the Path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy.” [Quran, 14:1]
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said about the Quran, as narrated by Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari (Allah be pleased with him):
“The example of the one who recites the Quran is like that of a citron; its taste is delicious, and its scent is pleasant. The example of the believer who does not recite the Quran is like a date; its taste is good, but it has no scent. The example of the hypocrite who recites the Quran is like a basil; its scent is good, but its taste is bitter. And the example of the hypocrite who does not recite the Quran is like a colocynth, its taste is bitter and it has no scent.” [Bukhari]
The etiquettes related to the Noble Mushaf are many, including:
Proper Demeanor during Recitation
The reader should be in a state of calmness and respect, contemplating and humble.
Maintaining Purity
The reader should be in a state of minor ritual purity (wudu) when reciting.
Reciting With Proper Tajwid
As Allah (Most High) commands,
“And recite the Quran (properly) in a measured way.” [Quran, 73:4]
Tajwid is the adornment of recitation, and its minimum requirement is to articulate the letters clearly, without mixing them, and to follow the rules of tajwid as detailed in the books on the tajwid. This includes paying attention to the articulation points and characteristics of the letters, and giving each letter its due.
Abu ‘Amr al-Dani, one of the great scholars of recitation, points to unacceptable forms of recitation that should be avoided:
“Tajwid is not by exaggeration of the tongue, nor by distorting the mouth, nor by twisting the jaw, nor by vibrating the voice, nor by elongating the stress, nor by excessively prolonging the vowels, nor by over-pronouncing the nasal sounds, nor by compressing the R’s. Such recitations are repulsive to natural inclinations, and hearts and ears reject them. Rather, the correct recitation is smooth, sweet, gentle, and simple, without exaggeration or affectation, not departing from the natural speech of the Arabs and the language of the eloquent in any way.” Ibn Jazari, al-Nashr fi Qira’at al-‘Ashr]
Note: Tajwid is recommended not just for contemplation. Even for non-Arabs who do not understand the meanings of the Quran, it is recommended to recite with tajwid and deliberation, as it is closer to reverence and respect, and has a greater impact on the heart than hasty recitation. [Ghazali, Ihya’]
Enhancing the Voice with the Quran
Good speech is enhanced by a good voice, and enhancing the voice with the Quran is a Sunna agreed upon by the scholars among the Companions and their followers. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“Beautify the Quran with your voices.” [Ahmad]
And he (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“He is not one of us who does not recite the Quran melodiously.” [Bukhari]
There is no harm in reciting the Quran with known melodies, provided the rules of recitation, as mentioned by the scholars of Tajwid, are adhered to. The melodies should not overshadow the rules, causing the Quran to be distorted by elongating and vibrating the letters…
Reverence for the Speaker
When starting the recitation, the reader should remember in their heart the greatness of the Speaker (Most High) and realize that what they are reading is not human speech. For such reverence, ‘Ikrima Ibn Abi Jahl would faint when he opened the Mushaf, saying, “It is the word of my Lord, it is the word of my Lord.” [Ghazali, Ihya’]
Presence of Heart and Avoiding Self-Talk
The reader should be fully dedicated to the Quran while reading, diverting their attention from everything else. Someone asked a person, “When you read the Quran, do you talk to yourself about something else?” He replied: “Is there anything more beloved to me than the Quran to talk to myself about?!”
Honoring the Mushaf and Not Disrespecting It
This includes not placing or reading it in unclean places like bathrooms and similar places.
Listening Attentively When It Is Being Read
Allah (Most High) says:
“When the Quran is recited, listen to it attentively and be silent, so you may be shown mercy.” [Quran, 7:204]
Hasan Basri said: “When you sit next to the Quran, listen to it.” [Ibn Abi Hatim, Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim; Ibn Kathir, Tafsir Ibn Kathir]
Respecting Its Status and Purpose
This includes not restricting its recitation to the deceased or using it only in mourning halls at funerals. The Quran was not revealed for this purpose. Allah (Most High) says:
“(This is) a blessed Book which We have revealed to you (O Prophet) so that they may contemplate its verses, and people of reason may be mindful.” [Quran, 38:29]
He (Most High) also says:
“(This is) a Book which We have revealed to you (O Prophet) so that you may lead people out of darkness and into light, by the Will of their Lord, to the Path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy.” [Quran, 14:1]
Instilling Love for the Mushaf in Our Children and Families
We should remind our close ones, distant ones, and all people about it and spread the message of belief in it to the world, in accordance with the command of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace):
“Convey from me even if it is one verse.” [Ahmad]
Not Taking a Fee for Teaching It
It should be taught without charge unless it is necessary for some full-time teachers who need financial support.
Not Allowing Non-Muslims to Handle the Mushaf
If it is believed that it may lead to its disrespect, as the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) forbade traveling with the Quran to enemy lands, saying:
“Do not travel with the Quran, for I do not trust that it will fall into the hands of the enemy.” [Muslim]
May Allah bless the Prophet Muhammad and give him peace, and his Family and Companions.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa
[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa
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