Reading The Qur'an

How to Start Reading the Qur'an

When beginning to read the Qur'an, it is recommended to recite ta'awwuz, which is the phrase a'uudzu billahi minasy syaithaanir rajiim. This is in accordance with the verse found in the Qur'an, Surah An-Nahl, verse 98:

فَاِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْاٰنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطٰنِ الرَّجِيْمِ [1]

"When you recite the Quran, seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed."

After reciting ta'awwuz, scholars recommend reciting Bismillah at the beginning of each surah, except for Surah At-Tawbah or Al-Bara'ah. There are four ways to begin reading the Qur'an at the start of each surah:

1. قطع الجميع (Break everything): This means reciting ta'awwuz, Bismillah, and the surah separately, with no connection between them. Example:

أَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَجِيْمِ (pause) بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ (pause) أَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ...[2]

A'uudzu billahi minasy syaithaanir rajiim (pause) Bismillah irrahmaan irrahiim (pause) Alhamdu lillahi rabbil 'aalamiin...

2. وصل الجميع (Connect everything): This means reciting ta'awwuz, Bismillah, and the surah continuously, with no pauses. Example:

أَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَجِيْمِ بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ قُلْ أَعُوْذُ بِا رَبِّ الْنَّاسِ...[3]

A'uudzu billahi minasy syaithaanir rajiimi Bismillah irrahmaan irrahiimi Qul a'uudzubirabbin Naas...

3. قطع الأول و وصل الثاني بالثالث (Break the first and connect the second with the third): This means pausing after ta'awwuz, then connecting Bismillah with the surah without pause. Example:

أَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَجِيْمِ (pause) بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ قُلْ اَعُوْذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ...[4]

A'uudzu billahi minasy syaithaanir rajiim (pause) Bismillah irrahmaan irrahiimi Qul a'uudzu bi rabbil falaq...

4. وصل الأول بالثاني قطع الثالث (Connect the first with the second, and break the third): This means connecting ta'awwuz with Bismillah, then pausing before reading the surah. Example:

أَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَجِيْمِ بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ (pause) قُلْ هُوَ اللّٰهُ اَحَدٌ...[5]

A'uudzu billahi minasy syaithaanir rajiimi Bismillah irrahmaan irrahiim (pause) Qul huwa Allahu ahad...

If someone begins reading the Qur'an in the middle of a surah or at a specific part, they may recite it with or without Bismillah. If reciting with Bismillah, they should follow one of the four methods mentioned above. If not reciting Bismillah, there are two ways to start reading: either connecting ta'awwuz with the verse or pausing after ta'awwuz, then reading the verse. Example:

Connecting ta'awwuz with the verse:

أَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَجِيْمِ لَقَدْ كَانَ فِيْ يُوْسُفَ وَاِخْوَتِهٓ اٰيٰتٌ لِّلسَّاۤىِٕلِيْنَ...[6]

A'uudzu billahi minasy syaithaanir rajiimi Laqad kaana fii Yuusufa wa ikhwatihi aayaatul lissaailiin...

Pausing between ta'awwuz and the verse:

أَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَجِيْمِ (pause) يٰٓاَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوْا مِنَ الطَّيِّبٰتِ وَاعْمَلُوْا صَالِحًاۗ اِنِّيْ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ عَلِيْمٌۗ...[7]

A'uudzu billahi minasy syaithaanir rajiim (pause) Yaa ayyuhar rusulu kuluu minath thayyibaati wa' maluu shaaliha innii bimaa ta'maluuna 'aliim...

Additional note:

If someone is reading the Qur'an and then pauses for a conversation or other reasons, and if the pause is related to the Qur'an, such as asking if the recitation is correct, there is no need to repeat ta'awwuz. However, if the conversation is unrelated to the Qur'an, such as answering a greeting or discussing other matters, it is recommended to repeat the ta'awwuz.[8]

Author : Mushpih Kawakibil Hijaj.

This text was translated from Indonesian to English using ChatGPT.

References :

[1] The Qur'an, Surah An-Nahl, verse 98.

[2] The Qur'an, Surah Al-Fatihah, verse 1.

[3] The Qur'an, Surah An-Nas, verse 1.

[4] The Qur'an, Surah Al-Falaq, verse 1.

[5] The Qur'an, Surah Al-Ikhlas, verse 1.

[6] The Qur'an, Surah Yusuf, verse 7.

[7] The Qur'an, Surah Al-Mu’minun, verse 51.

[8] Abu Hafsh Sirajuddin Umar bin Zainuddin Qasim ibnu Muhammad bin Ali al-Anshari an-Nasysyar, al-Budur az-Zahirah fi al-Qiraˈati al-Asyr al-Mutawatirah, Beirut: Aalim al-Kutub, 1421 AH/2000 CE), Volume I, p. 111.