It is incumbent upon every reader of the Quran to observe the rules of respect for its recitation. The essence of all the rules of respect is to consider the Glorious Quran as the speech of Almighty Allah, whom we worship, and the word of the one whom we love and seek help through him only.
The Quran is the word of our beloved Lord who is also the supreme monarch, therefore we should read the noble Quran with the emotions of both love and awe.
After cleaning the teeth with Siwak and doing Wudhu one should sit in a secluded place with grace and humility and facing towards the Qibla. Then with an attentive heart and deep devotion, one must recite the Glorious Quran imagining all the time that he is reciting it to Allah the Almighty.
If one understand the meaning, one should go apace and reflect. On the Ayat of promise and mercy one should beg for one’s forgiveness and compassion. On the Ayat of punishment and admonition, one should seek refuge of Allah, for except him there is no helper. On the Ayat pertaining to his Majesty and Glory, one should say “Subhan Allah” that means Allah is Sacrosanct.
If one doesn’t shed tears while reading the Book, that is Quran, one must compel oneself to weep a little. One should not read fast until and unless one desires to memorize it.
The Quran should be placed in a slightly elevated position such as on a wooden stand or a pillow at the time of reading. One should not talk to others during recitation. If one is forced by necessity to speak to someone, it should be done after closing the book. And then before starting recitation again it is obligatory to say which means to seek Allah’s protection from shaitan the rejected one.
First reading should be in a low voice. If insincerity is apprehended on your own part or disturbance is caused to others; otherwise reading loudly is more rewarding. It is good to recite in melodious voice because there are numerous Ahadeeth laying emphasis to this effect; some of those are:” Recite the Quran in Arabic accent”
The Recitation and its Dependence on the oral Learning
As a matter of fact the correct recitation of the Holy Quran merely depends upon the oral learning forms the perfect and well versed teachers of the art of intonation and recitation.
Indeed Allah made mankind his worshipers by reciting the Glorious Quran and promised them great reward, which is ten times as much as their credit at the recitation of a single letter. He ordered them to think and consider the meaning of the Holy Quran carefully until they reach the intended purpose,
Allah the Almighty has made compulsory a specific quality of style for the recitation of the Holy Quran as he ordered his messenger: “And recite the Quran in a slow (pleasant tone) style” {Surah Muzzaammil: 4}
And it is a Quran which we have divided in order that you might recite it to men at intervals. And we have revealed it by stages” {Surah Isra: 106}
The Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alaihi wasalam) was desirous for the mastery of the Holy Quran, so he began to recite speedily when the angel jibreel was teaching him.
Then Allah said” Move not your tongue concerning (the Quran, O Muhammad) to make haste therewith. It is for Us to collect it and to give you the ability to recite it. And when We have recited it to you then follow its recital” {surah Qiyamah: 16-18}
The Prophet used to present the Holy Quran, reciting orally to Jibrel once a year in Ramadhan ( the month of fasting) and the last year of his life, he recited the whole Quran twice.
The Prophet (sallahu alaihi wasalam) taught the Quran to his companions in the same way as he had been taught by the Angel Jibreel. Indeed he used to motivate his companions to learn and recite the Holy Quran very well.
Ibn Khuzaimah narrated in his hadith collection, from Zaid bin Thabit that Muhammad said: “Verily Allah the Almighty the Quran be recited tenderly as it was revealed.” (Qawaidut Tajweed).”
The Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alaihi wasalam) used to pay special attention to a group of his companions for attaining the mastery of recitation, until they became great figures in this field. Then he recognized them for the additional interest and teaching.
Some of those are: Ubai bin Kab, Abdullah bin Masud, Zaid bin Thabit, Abu Musa Al Ashari, Uthman bin Affwan, Ali bin Talib, Abud Darda, Muaz bin Jabal,..etc.
The prophet (sallahu alaihi wasalam) used to take care of them, either by listening to them or by making them hear him. It is stated that the Prophet Muhammad asked Ibn Masud to recite the Quran in front of him. So Ibn Masud began his recitation while a stream of tears flew out from Prophets eye.
Once the Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alaihi wasalam) went to Ubai bin Kab and said to him that he was ordered by Allah to recite for Ubay. Then he recited Surah al Bayyinah for Ubay.
The prophet (sallahu alaihi wasalam) made his companions interested in gaining the skill and mastery of the art of recitation, by learning it orally from the mouth of the skilled and well versed personalities. He said “Take the holy Quran from the four companions: Abdullah bin Masud, Salim maula Huzaifah, Muaz bin Jabal and Ubay bin Kab.”
Moreover, Muhammad (sallahu alaihi wasalam) spread the message of Allah that is the Holy Quran by sending out reciters, along with the tests, such as the companion Musab bin Umayr, the first ambassador of Islam, sent by the Prophet Muhammad to Madinah to teach the Muslims there, the Holy Quran.
While the caliph Uthman send copies of the standard text of the Holy Quran into different quarters of the Muslim world, at the same time, he deputed a reciter, with each copy of the standard text, who could teach its recitation.
Zaid bin Thabit was the reciter of the Mushaf Al Madinah, Abdullah bin AsSaib was the reciter of Mushaf Makkah, Al Mugirah bin Shihab was the reciter of Mushaf Ashsham, Abu Abdur Rehman was the reciter of the Mushaf Al Kufah and Amir bin AbdulQais was the reciter of the Mushaf Al Basrah,…etc.
All the previous statements prove that there is specific style and manner for the recitation of the Holy Quran, which can only be taught orally from the well-known and well versed teachers. And this is the style that reached down to us from the prophet Muhammad through a sacred and authentic chain.
The Noble Quran is revealed with such a particular style and manner. So the one who neglected this style or dissents from it, deviates from the Prophets way and his tradition.
