Etiquette of Reciting the Quran (Adab Tilawat al-Quran) in the Quran & Sunnah

1. Seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan before reciting the Quran.

Allah says:

فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ

So when you recite the Quran, seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan, the accursed. (Surah an-Nahl 16:98)

Accordingly, say this before you begin your recitation:

أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

I seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan, the accursed.

2. Recite the Quran slowly and with measure (tarteel).

Allah says:

وَرَتِّلِ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ تَرْتِيلًا

And recite the Quran in slow, measured tones. (Surah al-Muzzammil 73:4)

3. Reflect deeply on the verses of the Quran.

Allah says:

كِتَٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَٰرَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوْا۟ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

This is a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, so that people may reflect on its verses and so that those of understanding may take heed. (Surah Sad 38:29)

4. Listen attentively when the Quran is being recited.

Allah says:

وَإِذَا قُرِئَ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ فَٱسْتَمِعُوا۟ لَهُۥ وَأَنصِتُوا۟ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

And when the Quran is recited, listen to it attentively and remain silent, so that you may receive mercy. (Surah al-A’raf 7:204)

Lesson: This teaches us to show respect to the Quran when it is being recited in a gathering, and to avoid unnecessary talk and activities that distract the listeners.

5. Recite the Quran with sincerity (ikhlas).

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave a severe warning about the person who recites the Quran so that people will call him a reciter (qari), and not for the pleasure of Allah.

6. Recite the Quran beautifully, with a pleasant voice.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that Allah especially loves to listen to His Prophet reciting the Quran in a beautiful voice.

7. Do not lose heart if reciting the Quran is difficult for you.

It is narrated from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: The one who is skilled in reciting the Quran will be with the noble and righteous angels. And the one who stumbles over the Quran and finds it difficult to recite will have a double reward.

8. Keep up your recitation of the Quran regularly.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“The example of the one who knows the Quran by heart is like the owner of tied camels: if he keeps them tied, he holds on to them; but if he releases them, they run away.” What is memorised escapes quickly — it is kept only by constant review.

9. Learn the Quran and teach it.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

«خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ وَعَلَّمَهُ»

"The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it."

10. Recite with humility and let the Quran move your heart.

Abdullah ibn Masud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked him to recite the Quran to him. When he reached verse 41 of Surah an-Nisa, tears began to flow from the eyes of the Prophet ﷺ.

11. Act upon the Quran as you recite it.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

الْقُرْآنُ حُجَّةٌ لَكَ أَوْ عَلَيْكَ

"The Quran will be an argument for you or against you."

12. Do not disturb others when reciting the Quran.

Abu Said al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ heard people reciting the Quran aloud in the masjid and said that each one of them is conversing privately with his Lord. So let no one disturb another, and let no one raise his voice over the other in recitation or in prayer.

Lesson: This teaches us, when reciting in the masjid or at home, not to raise the voice so much that other worshippers, reciters or those engaged in worship are disturbed.

13. Engage your heart with what the verses say.

Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ recited in the night prayer and passed a verse that contained glorification of Allah, he would glorify Him. When he passed a verse of asking or supplication, he would make dua, and when he passed a verse of seeking refuge, he would seek refuge in Allah.

14. Do not recite the Quran in ruku and sujud.

Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade reciting the Quran while in ruku (bowing) and sujud (prostration).

15. The narration about recitation in the state of janabah (major impurity).

Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:

«كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُقْرِئُنَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ جُنُبًا»

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to recite the Quran to us in every state, as long as he was not in janabah (major impurity)."