The Koran is the holy book of Muslims containing the words of Allah. This book was revealed to the last prophet of Islam, Prophet Muhammad SAW. In it, there are various teachings, signs from Allah, Islamic guidelines or laws, as well as historical information.
Prophet Muhammad SAW emphasized the importance of reading the Qur'an in the following hadith: The Prophet Muhammad SAW said, 'The example of a believer who likes to read the Qur'an is that of an orange, it smells good and tastes good., it has no smell, but tastes sweet. As for the example of a hypocrite who likes to read the Qur'an, it is like fragrant oil, it smells good and tastes bitter. While the example of a hypocrite who does not like to read the Qur'an is like that of hanzalah grass, it has no smell and tastes bitter. (Sunan an-Nasa'i 5038).
Step
Step 1. Make ablution
Clean yourself from big and small hadas. If you have major hadas, then you have to take a obligatory bath, while if you only have minor hadas, then you only need to perform ablution. Your body, clothes, and place of prayer must be clean. However, if you read the Qur'an from the internet or from memory, then you do not need to perform ablution.
Step 2. Ask Allah for protection
Before reading the Qur'an, ask Allah for protection from the temptations of Satan. Read "A'udzu billahi minasy syaithonir rojiim" which means "I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil".
Step 3. Begin by chanting the name of Allah
Say the name of Allah before praying. Read "Bismilahi arraḥmani arraḥim" which means "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful".
Step 4. Open the mushaf (a book with verses from the Koran written on it), then read it with your right hand
Prophet Muhammad always used his right hand to do things he respected, so we should follow his example.
Step 5. Concentrate when reading the Koran
This means that you do not just read the verses of the Koran, but also read them by heart and try to understand them. Consider reading one page, then reading the commentary. You can also watch a short talk that explores the context of the verse you just read. If you are not a native Arabic speaker and only read Arabic, then you probably won't understand it and won't feel connected to the Koran.
Step 6. Look for Quran classes
Consider taking a class like this to learn how to read the Koran properly and correctly and its tajwid. You can also look it up online, although there are many mosques that offer classes like this.
Tips
- Try to read the Koran in Arabic. This book was revealed in Arabic, so the Koran should be read in Arabic as well. You can read the translation to understand it, but use the Arabic Koran when praying.
- Try to learn Arabic so that you understand Allah's words in the Qur'an without relying on the translation.
- Take time to contemplate and understand the verse of the Koran you have just read.
- If you don't understand the verse you just read, ask someone who understands and knows the Koran.
- Always respect the Koran like other holy books.
- Brush your teeth before you read it so the verses you read will come out beautifully. You don't want to read the beautiful verses of the Koran when your breath smells bad.
- Buy a Koran that already has a color code to help you read the verse and tajwid.
- This character indicates the end of a verse.
- New letters are indicated by a decorated page header, complete with the name and letter number. All surahs (except At-Taubah) begin with Bismillah.
Warning
- The Qur'an will bear bad testimony to you on the Day of Judgment if you do not treat it well, do not read it, or do not listen to it.
- Do not put any object on top of the Koran because it is considered disrespectful.
- The law of swearing in the name of the Koran is haram. The Hadith states "Whoever swears by a name other than Allah, then he has disbelieved or committed shirk" [Al-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawood].
